Secondary schools in Northern Ireland that are good for SEN

[popana]

Hi all, would really appreciate some honest advice about secondary schools in Northern Ireland. We're planning to move to NI next summer from England. DH often goes over there for work and we've come along with him as a family and fallen in love with the place. Been over many times now and already have some family there/Irish background and without listing all the reasons, on so many levels it's a no brainer for us as a family.

We've done a lot of research and have a few reccy trips planned in the New Year, but the one thing that's unnerving me is finding a suitable school for the kids. DS1 will be going into year 10 (year 9 in England) and DS2 will be due to start secondary school.

As I understand it there are still a lot of grammars in NI. DS1 would likely be able to get into one if there was space. He has high functioning ASD - no academic issues but does struggle a bit socially, although he has made a group of friends and settled in his current school, it just took some time.

DS2 has moderate ASD, not bad enough for special school but a good 2 year delay and ideally needs a special unit attached to mainstream. He is delightful but naive and socially lacking. Whilst I wouldn't want DS1 to miss out on the potential benefits of a grammar education, I don't really want to send them to two different schools, mainly because I don't want DS2 to feel like the poor relation and also because his insensitive ASD brother would probably tease him about it. I've already been on the phone to the EANI and had a good chat with them, but they don't advise on specific schools.

I know SEN provision can be patchy in NI, but can anyone recommend a good non grammar that might fit the bill? We're most interested in the north of Co. Antrim, especially around Ballymoney, Ballycastle, Coleraine etc, but also open to other suggestions. Co. Down also looks good but more pricey for housing. Main thing is we want to be max 1 hour from Belfast.
Many thanks!

Sorry to jump on your thread popana but this has been sooo helpful to me. We too are moving from England to NI and I am going round in circles!
It would be lovely to have an update on how you are getting on.

We are aiming to move to the Limavady area. My eldest is in first year of secondary and is diagnosed Autistic with processing delay and especially struggles to write but verbally is totally with it. He has not got an EHCP but has been supported through AFN funding since he was 6. I have heard really good things about Limavady High School but I am pondering whether he could cope at Limavady Grammar School if given the support needed with writing and extra time to process. I don't want him to sink as he is doing so well in his current school. Like you, I found my conversation with the Education Authority in NI resulted in a 'he'll have to start from scratch' not the most helpful in my opinion!

Does anyone have any insights into the SEN provision at Limavady Grammar?

It was also very helpful to read other people's comments about accents as this has concerned me too.

I'm resigned myself to the fact that I may have all 3 children in different schools but will just rock with it!

@Rachgol
Do you have any professional reports that have assessed his writing or processing speed? If you can evidence that he has been receiving this as a normal way of working then whichever school he goes to should honour that and put reasonable adjustments in place.

Thank you elevens24. I don't have any professional reports but it is documented in his provision plan that he has TA support for all written subjects. We have thought about getting a private dyslexia diagnoses as the schools in our area can only do screening but it is very expensive!

@Rachgol when are you moving over? I can recommend a fantastic child psychologist who does dyslexia screening.(among other things) She typically books up a few months in advance but if you were moving over in the summer you could potentially book her in now. Let me know if you want her details and I’ll PM them to you

Worth saying too that her diagnoses are accepted by the EANI

PopcornAndGummyBears, yes please! That would be awesome to look into, thank you.

Another shout for Slemish College in Ballymena. It has a grammar stream for and excellent SEN provisions, which to be honest you’re not going to her in most grammar schools here.

@Rachgol Hi! Glad you have found this discussion helpful.

The update from us is that we went for a reccy trip in January and now we're undecided again!

We do love NI and have family there, and there are so many good reasons for us to make the move.

We've been loads of times before but this time we visited many towns and villages, having an in depth look around rather than doing the tourist thing.

It sounds awful I know, but we felt quite disappointed by most of the places we visited. The lack of investment was clear. Most of the town centres we saw seemed quite run down and dead. Our kids are 11 and 2 teens and I do question what they'd do in their spare time or even whether they'd be able to get a good job there in the future.

I really hope people don't get offended by this! We still love NI in many ways!

Convince me I'm wrong please people! We certainly can't go on where we are. Fed up of being skint all the time because of the high cost of living, despite our good incomes. I suppose whatever we decide to do in the end there'll always be trade offs.

FWIW - we moved here from Scotland (I grew up here) and have 4 teens - they love it here. They have a ton more freedom and independence than they had in Scotland and have wonderful groups of friends. They have been completely embraced here - it really is true that NI has the best people with a real gift of welcome and hospitality. Our town is for sure one of those that seems pretty run down at the minute, but we are by the beach and they spend a lot of time in coffee shops, walking round the coast, hanging out on the beach, or just chilling in each others houses. They go into Belfast easily by train when they want to.

In terms of future jobs - I totally understand that concern. I think 2 of my DC will find jobs here ok, because of what they want to do, but the other two - not so sure. Having said that, it speaks volumes that they would all want to stay here. They love it.

We maintain good links with close friends in different parts of the world and we travel to visit friends when we can, so our lives are definitely not in a bubble - but we’re always delighted and at peace coming home.

Check out Barton Creeth on Twitter/X - he recently moved here from London and posts about his family’s new life here.

Hi very worried I am a grandmother bring up 2 boys the youngest is going into secondary next year he is my baby we need help with finding right and best special. Learning school for him we were really let down in the past we deserve a brighter future would be thankful for your time and help we live bangor co.down

@Rachgol
Sorry you didn't have a great experience. Do you mind saying where you visited? Like every country there are nicer places than others.

For nice high streets have a look at hillsborough and Holywood. Not cheap but there's a reason.

I know you mentioned ballycastle before, did you visit. Imo it's a lovely town. Other nice places are Jordanstown/ Whiteabbey (also near the sea).

There's lots in NI for dc to do, especially if they're into sport.

we're just about to move over from Scotland, do you mind me asking where you are? Good links to the city would help to teens settle!