Best schools for autistic girls in Oxford?

[Validus]

Morning all. My daughter is in year 6 and struggling. She’s being assessed for autism (which seems pretty conclusive already). We have to select schools shortly for the secondary admissions lottery.

She is incredibly intelligent (can do year 7/8 maths and reads young adult books with ease). Huge knowledge in her head - just a lack of ability to cope with interpersonal relationships.

Can anyone suggest the best options for schools? We would prefer to go state, but could afford the less expensive private schools if necessary.

Or equally, where to avoid?

I'm not sure you get small/nuturing and inexpensive in private schools in Oxford. There is Forest Farm in Elsfield if you want REALLY small and presumably quirky. (I don't know much about it.)

For state, it sounds like you need to look at setting/streaming (do they do it? For which subjects in which age groups?) or extension classes (additional GCSEs?) or clubs. And SEN - how does the school deal with students who need accomodations?

Also, the good Oxford schools tend to fill up from within their catchment, so your location is good to know!

I just wanted to add that Open Evenings are coming up fast in Oxford - there is at least one this week!

We’re in the Matthew Arnold catchment (but that one won’t work for us) on the West side. We can head north and south via the bypass fairly easily. Central schools can be done via bike.

We’ve visited the Bartholomew and the Cheney (she’s ok with the former but didn’t respond well to the latter). But so far I’m working off observing her at the schools and I need to work out where to take her (especially as multiple schools have booked the same evenings for open evening).

Can I just ask why Matthew Arnold wouldn’t work for you? Lots of people move into their catchment to avoid the Oxford city schools. Maybe I’m out of date?

The physical cramped layout, lack of properly open/calm spaces, and general behaviour issues that she won’t cope with (we’ve been speaking with current parents and while they’re having a crack down right now it seems to have been needed for quite a long time).

There are other issues too, but those are the most relevant to the neurodiversity issue.

It’s a long time ago but I know people who were very happy at Cherwell, including some who struggle socially or are neurodiverse.

Used to walk past Matthew Arnold in the mornings and the language and the widespread nastiness and bullying was pretty unpleasant to hear, I wouldn’t send any child there!

Have you thought about the Swan School? Very different vibe to Matthew Arnold plus newly built so perhaps also a better/calmer layout

We’re going to visit next week. My concern there is that DD is permanently on guard (she can’t cope with all the people) and reacts strongly to anything she thinks is a criticism. She’d either take to the strict regime well or it would crush her in weeks.

Good luck with a very difficult choice, which many posters on here have no idea of the complexities involved !

I was in this position 15 years ago with my Eldest Daughter who passed the 11+ with the highest marks possible, but because the Grammar was inappropriate due to no support choose a Convent Comprehensive School.

For this week the choice is whether to visit Cherwell or Spires as a priority.

Cherwell is academically good - not sure about the atmosphere but it is the school of choice for many in Oxford, including those who might also choose private. Not sure about admissions process as I think it may be oversubscribed?

Wychwood might be worth a look.

I would have said Rye St Antony but not now that they have merged with Headington 😥

I'd start with Headington, Wychwood and Our Lady of Abingdon. Headington is big but the class sizes are small and they are good with pastoral care.

Missed one: D'overbroeks

D'Overbroeck's definitely does not come into the category of "less expensive", although I'd agree it might be worth a look.... and worth asking about scholarships.

I'm not sure you'd get into Cherwell from your location as it's always heavily oversubscribed. Before The Swan School was built, students from Marston were being given schools all over the place (even out of the city), but of course do check the distance offer last year.

Have you thought about Greyfriar's? They're very undersubscribed so it will be fairly small groups.

We are south Oxford and failed to get into any local school (Cheney & Matthew Arnold were both on the list). We were allocated our 4th choice of Fitzharrys in Abingdon. My child started Y7 this September and I have been really impressed. So the Abingdon schools are also an option.

My understanding was that Greyfriars has major problems. Has that changed?

Honestly, word "on the grapevine" is that Greyfriar's is pretty ok now, but it's all second or thirdhand stuff I'm hearing. (Probably best to find a current parent!)

If you're happy to look at private schools a bit further out then I've heard good things about Cranford House in Moulsford. Might be too long a journey though

I wouldn’t recommend swan, if you have an autistic child or any child with sen it doesn’t have provision for them. From what I can make out they’d just rather not have any sen child there.
Cherwell is great but unless you live close you don’t have a hope of getting in.
Cheney has good pastoral care and I would very much recommend.
Id recommend any school over Swan to be honest.

If you can afford it d’overbrookes is supposed to be amazing

I agree that we are unlikely to get Cherwell, though I understand many just put it on the list out of hope.

we’re going to see Fitzharrys next week.

Sent you a PM

Thanks :)

Wychwood. Ask about bursaries if necessary.
My asd daughter flourished there, but did not cope in the larger comprehensives.