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Boarding school

Connect with fellow parents of boarding school students on our supportive forum. Share experiences, tips, and insights.

Good options for average student with "high functioning" ASD

31 replies

Waffleswithcheese · 20/01/2024 11:49

Looking at options for Year 9 entry for my son, who has "high functioning" ASD. He is currently in a mainstream international school overseas and does OK without 1-1 support (although he has an Individual Learning Plan, and the SEN department at the school work with his teachers to make sure they have the right strategies in place to get the best out of him). Academically, he's broadly "average" - slightly better than average in maths / sciences (but not genius level), slightly below in English (comprehension exercises can be tough, as he thinks very literally) and not great at languages. He definitely benefits from smallish classes (currently 18) and time, patience and understanding from teachers.

We will move back to the UK in a couple of years time, and would ideally like a school where he could attend as a day pupil for Years 9-11, before switching to boarding for Sixth Form, when we're likely to move overseas again.

Definitely looking for a non-selective school which will support him to find his niche and maximise his potential, without being a hot-house / pressured environment. University might ultimately be an option, but not the be all and end all. He's relatively social, with a good group of friends, and likes a range of sports / outdoor activities (but not super high achieving at those). We'd like a school which is relatively down to earth.

Is there anywhere that might fit the bill?

OP posts:
WhatsInANameDearBethany · 08/02/2024 21:07

Warwick has an excellent SEND department

Waffleswithcheese · 09/02/2024 14:33

@londonmummy1966 thanks - will take a look at Wells too.

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Waffleswithcheese · 09/02/2024 14:34

@WhatsInANameDearBethany and will also take a look at Warwick!

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FinanceDirector · 28/02/2024 06:29

My DS with ASD went to More House, it is primarily a school for those with SPLDs (dyslexia, dyspraxia etc), it's just that many of the boys also have ASD. I cannot speak highly enough of it, they very much aim to support individual needs. Although there is a thriving boarding community most of them are weekly boarders with only a fairly small number staying at weekends.

mybrainisfull · 28/02/2024 09:09

DD went to Wychwood in Oxford. She is now at University. It worked wonders for her confidence and academics.

Your phrase "benefits from time, patience and understanding from teachers" is what WW REALLY excels at.

It offers day, weekly, flexi and full boarding.

Waffleswithcheese · 28/02/2024 13:09

Thanks @FinanceDirector and @mybrainisfull - that's really useful.

More House definitely on the list for us to go and look at (although a decent number of full boarders at weekends would be our preference (at least for sixth form, when we anticipate DS will board). DS doesn't have dyslexia / dyspraxia, but the admissions team didn't seem to rule out "just" ASD when we wrote recently. We'll see (I suspect more of a challenge may be tiny number of Year 9 places available).

Hadn't heard of Wychwood before, so will definitely take a look - sounds like it could be a good option for us.

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