Surrey schools - help!

[MumMuddlingalong]

Hi everyone, I'd really appreciate your help. We're going to move from London to Surrey, to be closer to family and fields (grandparents are in Guildford). I'd really like to find schools that would work for both children. My DS is bright, sporty and gets on with most people. My DD is also bright but she finds social situations hard to navigate and finds noisy/busy situations a bit tricky as she has ASD. They're currently in a great state primary, but there are so many children in her class and there's not enough outdoor space so she's really struggling. Do you know of good primary/secondary state schools that have strong SEN support? Or is there a private school that springs to mind? We could do it at a push if it was really the right thing. They are currently 9/7, but thinking of moving when DS is starting year 7 and DD year 5. Thank you x

Surrey is a big county and Guildford and surrounding areas very expensive. I’d suggest narrowing it down to an area and then research the schools in the area.

If going for state school, you'll need to move in time for the applications for year 7 in order to stand a chance of getting any oversubscribed school, so you want to aim a year earlier for the move.

Thanks Bluevelvetsofa - we are quite open to areas for the right school. DH will need to commute into London sometimes, but my job is remote. Lanthanum, that is the tricky thing, we'd love to stay state but I think that issue may mean we go private. We could afford to buy in Guildford etc, but I'd ideally like to be in a village/small town where we'd get a bigger garden etc. Duke of Kent looks nice on paper as it's small with large grounds, not a hot house vibe etc. Any thoughts on that, or other schools you've heard of that have a very friendly inclusive atmosphere where quirky children thrive? Thank you

Look at Frensham Heights

DD has been very happy with Lime Tree primary school in Merstham for both DGS. DGS1 is on the autistic spectrum but had excellent teachers and support before going on to secondary school this month. They live in Redhill which they chose for fast commuter journey into London. www.limetreeschool.org/

Shouldertocryon1 Frensham Heights looks great and I love that there are 175 SEN pupils on the register, will definitely take a look. Do you have personal experience of it? Thank you blackcheryconserve, that school looks very lovely, so great to hear your DGC are thriving. Has anyone experience of The Royal school? It's really great that Learning Support is prominent on their website, it's a positive sign... Also the Woolmer School? DH was very happy at Godalming College back in the day which it feeds into...

If you have time, go along to the independent schools show in Battersea 8th /9th Nov as there's a good number of Surrey independent schools that exhibit there and it gives you a good idea of what is available. Particularly useful if you're deciding whether to look eastwards in the county.

I think you'd like Kingswood House School in Epsom. It's a small, friendly independent with a reputation for being nurturing for quirky kids who find large, busy schools too much. They go from Year 3 to Year 11 and they do a lot of sports. It has a high proportion of kids with mild SEN similar to your DD, ie academically bright but struggling socially. They have pupils coming from some distance away, by train or school bus.

I have two at Micklefield (private) in Reigate. My eldest has just started year four and dyslexic. SENCo have been involved since she was in reception (and her speech issues were picked up in the preschool).

Very big on sport and music there - she plays hockey/netball/football against other local prep schools and they also alternate between tennis/swimming depending on the term. She has piano lessons in school and this term they are 'trying' brass instruments as part of their music lessons. Lovely little independent!

I work round the corner from the Lime Tree school mentioned above - seems like a nice school, lovely community feel. One of my daughter's friends moved to Micklefield from there in year 1 but only because the mum wanted the smaller class numbers, she didn't have anything negative to say about the school.

But don’t admit your DD has autism if you do or else they will refuse her.

Do you mean Woolmer Hill? Woolmer Hill is under Weydon Academy and Weydon is probably as far from SEN friendly as you can imagine.

St Edmund’s in Hindhead was thought to be quite SEN friendly but the impact of other private schools closing might see bigger class sizes which could be problematic.

So many fab replies - thanks everyone, it's my first post here and all incredibly helpful information. I will try and get to the independent schools show in Battersea. I wonder how many will be up for talking about SEN, we shall see! Kingswood House looks lovely as does Micklefield. St Edmund's looks like a lovely school but the etiquette element I don't think would sit well with my two sadly. That's quite depressing you can't admit a child has autism to Frensham Heights, Cambridge was possibly the most neurodiverse place I've been, I find it frustrating when people don't seem to realise children that are different are often brilliant (obviously I'm biased/passionate but you know what I mean!). Thanks everyone, your comments are really appreciated.

Bit further down the A3 but how about Bedales?

Rodborough School in Milford?

I've found that most of them (not all) are more than happy to discuss diversity in their population, although I am only focused on dyslexia at the moment (so it might change with different diversities). A few stress their student centric approach and have support services (wellbeing etc) for all students. I would be interested to hear whether you come up against contrary views!

We'll see - understanding of autism in girls does seem to be patchy, but it's improving. When I messaged Good Schools saying she's v bright and with an autistic profile they suggested home schooling which was pretty devastating, as I tried that during lockdown with my son and never want to do it again! Thanks soverytiredtoday Rodborough looks like a super interesting state option :) OliviaFlaversham, Bedales looks great but I was talking to a friend who said many of the kids come from very rich families which we are not so it makes me a bit hesitant... do you have any experience of it? Thank you!

Not all at Bedales have rich families and they do a good scholarship programme there for those that would benefit greatly from being there and have some justification - either excellence in a subject or sometimes just a disruptive background is sufficient. It’s worth looking around - it looks a bit shabby in many respects but can really suit those who are a bit quirky or neurodivergent.

Thanks JumperStripes - will do, it looks pretty amazing tbh x

And therefore run the risk of being asked to remove her once it becomes apparent that she really does have problems, however well she managed to mask them during the application / assessment process? I can't imagine why someone would want their DC to go to a school which only accepted them because it was fooled into thinking that said DC didn't have the needs which they did, which the school was unable or unwilling to meet.

Don't worry, I will be open about it, am looking for a supportive school!

Does anyone have any experience of Prior's Field in Godalming?

My daughter is Autistic (tried to cope in state but couldn't) and we are applying to Prior's Field and King Edwards. I have been absolutely open about her diagnosis with both and both are accepting of SEN in general and appear to be good environments for her. One is all girls and one co-ed so it depends on your preference.

Hi Thepurplegiraffe, that is wonderful to hear thank you. I really hope your daughter is happy in whichever school you choose. My instinct is with co-ed generally but right now if there was a caring supportive school that's also academic enough on offer I would jump at it. We spent the weekend in the Surrey Hills with grandparents, such a beautiful place, really hope we can make it all align x

We hit a complete brick wall at Bedales with their new Head of Admissions. My husband (who is an Old Bedalian himself) could not believe it. He, I and my son all thought it was a brilliant fit for my son but the Head of Admissions was not interested when learned he had an Autism diagnosis

I second Frensham Heights if you are going private. Box Hill School used to have that vibe but I don't know what it's like now, and it has recently been taken over by Reigate Grammar conglomerate.