Questions to ask. Pros and cons.

[Theillustratedmummy]

Good morning everyone

Going to look round a small private school today. My dc are currently in mainstream but dc1 is struggling. She is diagnosed autistic and possibly adhd. She is exceptionally well behaved at school but does struggle emotionally and socially.
This school has an autism unit and specialist support on site for some students but is a normal private for others. They can tailor curriculum and timetable etc. Seems such a positive.
Class sizes are tiny, 6 in one year, 11 in another for example. So maybe this is a pro or con dependent on how you view it.
The upheaval will be huge.
Obviously there is a financial hit as this comes at a great cost. We can afford it, just. We are not high earners.
My dc may still be unhappy there, who knows. She is unhappy most places.
She is academically bright but socially behind so im fearful smaller class sizes will impead her further.

Anyway, what are the pros and cons for those with experience.
What questions should I be asking at the show around. Of course I do already have some but want to see if I have missed anything.
Both dc are primary, one in early years. Eldest dc will move into the middle school there. They would both stay till end of gcse's.

Thank you.

Have you applied for an EHCP yet? It sounds as if it would be very helpful for DD to have that support? If you are successful, that should cover fees (eventually - these things take time). Small class sizes are likely to be a positive thing and would benefit most children with ASD. If those are year sizes however, then it is worth looking carefully at school finances. It would be awful to pay fees and then face the disruption of the school closing unexpectedly.

Thank you. We are in the process of applying for the ehcp. I wanted to do it much sooner but we were told by the current senco that we won't get one. Still not sure we will as dc needs are minimal (well according to school where she masks).
Those are whole year sizes. They do combine year groups apparently. They will not go over 12 in a year group. Its a long standing school so I don't think it will close. In fact they have halted applications for a couple of months as they have had loads of interest and their ethos is to stay small.
Would I need to state on the ehcp that I want her to leave her mainstream and name that school?

Will pm you.

Transitions between lessons?
different teacher every hr / 30 mins?
homework / prep done at school?
uniform adjustments?
how long senco worked there?
ok to use a laptop and not write if needs be?

if you think she has adhd I’d get her tested and maybe try meds it can be so positive .

Apply for an EHCP yourself they take forever. You will have a fight to name the school and you need private reports to back you up.

sports - that’s going to be an issue if the yr group is small ….

how many got Sen in each class / an EHCP with what funding levels.

Which part of the uk is the school in? Sounds lovely.

Above is everything I’d be thinking about

I, too, am going to look at a private school tomorrow. Also tiny class of 6. Year below has 10. My child doesn't have additional needs so I can't comment on what I would look for in that respect but things I plan to ask:

What is the gender make up of the class? If it's heavily unbalanced it might make it difficult for my child to fit in.

How do they differentiate learning in a small class? To stretch the bright? If all the children are working at a different level?

Sports, I already know they pair classes for sports so they can play team games but I'd like to discuss that more.

General school ethos for me. I'm looking for an inclusive atmosphere.

We can't really afford it, it will be a mega stretch but I need to do something because my child is so unhappy at a very large 3 form intake state primary.

I think it's great your school already has specialist provision. I would ask questions about how they integrate learning with mainstream children & those with additional needs.

Good luck. I'm nervous about financial viability of the school but how do you find out if they're struggling?

Thank you all.

Meeting with current senco re ehcp next week and I am armed as much as I can be. We have paid for private reports and OT/SALT assessments. My dc is on the waiting list for an ADHD assessment but its been forever so I am considering going private.

Sport won't be an issue because dv also has physical disabilities so avoids sport at all costs.
It does seem a lovely school I have to say.

Good luck, hope it all goes well.