To wonder where the F!#k a bright child with SEN who's been "managed out" is supposed to go to school?!?

[WTAFisgoingon]

As far as I can tell there is a massive gap in provision for academically average or above average children who have SEN, for example:

• Local private schools (including the one we have just been "managed out" of) say DC's SEN (basically mild HFA with a tiny bit of other stuff) is something they cannot cope with so "it is in DC's best interests to look for a school with better SEN provision"

• Special Needs Schools say DC is too academically able (B grade student, roughly) and SEN is too mild for DC to need a Special Needs school and that "it is in DC's best interests to attend a mainstream school".

• Local state school and LA advise that DC's needs are not severe enough to qualify for an EHCP, so they cannot offer any real support. DC would be stuck in a class of 30 in a not very good school doing work a year easier than necessary without much support at all.....

Surely there must be many other kids in this position - too academically able or mildly affected to qualify for any sort of special provision, but too severely affected to be wanted in the private sector....... And all I keep hearing is that nobody wants to take DC because its in the child's best interests to find another type of school ........ Well, where is this magic school!? I can only assume that children like DC are expected to fail in their (possibly bad) local states until they are doing so badly that they do qualify for an EHCP!?! AIBU to feel this is the case and feel depressed and cross about it??

More House is boys only and doesn't like too much ASD (so I've heard). Frensham Heights can be great but can also be reluctant to take.

My DD is at a State school close by and is getting a great deal of support, she doesn't have a EHCP, but gets the support she needs. She is in line to get very good GCSEs eventually.
You don't have to just apply for the closest (or catchment if your area really has them) school. The ASD and high ability could well help if you appeal for a place at a "better" school, certainly at a more supportive one.

Now there is a lack of provision for very high achieving, but really struggling with ASD girls, I've known boys be funded as certain private specialist schools which only take boys.

My own son has ASD and is at More House and has many friends at the school with similar profiles.

Thanks so much everyone. I'm going to have a big think about what to do over the summer holidays and continue to approach fairly local indies plus the ones you have all very kindly suggested upthread.