private prep for special needs in London?

[oxcat1]

Posting on behalf of friends who have recently adopted two small boys. The boys are lovely, but both have significant educational delays, particularly the elder of the two (7), although he has not yet had any form of formal assessment. As a result of being so behind his peers at school and his very disturbed early experiences, he is starting to have serious behaviour issues at school, and his school is really struggling to offer sufficient support. It seems in many ways that they would really benefit from the smaller class size and greater flexibility available in the private sector and the parents could afford it. However, the boys are not going to be very appealing to a private prep school, having both educational and behavioural difficulties.

Does anybody know any schools around Putney/Wimbledon/Balham/Streatham etc that might be able to offer these little boys that additional help they really need? Any schools that do not prioritise academic selection, or that you know to be very good at supporting children with difficulties? Thanks

Not sure whether you're looking for a school primarily for children with SEN or simply one with the flexibility and resources to give a bit of extra help to children who are struggling for whatever reason.

If the former, Blossom House (suggested by a pp) has moved from Wimbledon to Motspur Park, which is 2 stops from Wimbledon on the train (the school is very close to the station).

If the later, they could check out Hall School Wimbledon. It's a lovely mainstream independent school which is all about well-being and building up the whole child rather than strict academics. Locally, they have a reputation as the school for children who wouldn't be comfortable in the very selective, academic Wimbledon schools. I think they have a fairly average percentage of children with SEN (that certainly isn't their focus as a school) but I get the impression that they are very supportive of pupils who do have additional needs.

Worth saying that Hall School Wimbledon is a through school (4-18), so there isn't the pressure to prep children for entrance exams.

The Hall school only goes up to 16 - it's non-selective but I'd be wary about sending a child with significant needs there - we were told that they wouldn't even consider ds2 (statement for moderate ASD and dyspraxia and no behavioural issues)

I would second the suggestion to get some advice on the SEN/adoption boards. And given your description of circumstances I would agree that it's likely that there is better support in the state sector - but not necessarily at the school they are at. In their place, I would suggest engaging with school, senco, ed psych, IPSEA, and also find out more about what other schools in the area offer. If the school they are at is a 'honeypot' primary - eg v MC intake, high SATs, 1 form entry, kids tutored for selective secondary chances are that their SEN offering isn't great. Whereas larger primaries with a more socioeconomically diverse intake are often better at dealing both with delay, looked after children and behavioural issues.

Beware also well-meaning suggestions from people who've heard that x private school is 'good with SEN' - unless the statement comes from someone who either works at said school or whose SEN DC have attended it it's usually not well-informed.