Derby/Derbyshire school recommendations?

[Neurospicymum1]

Hi

I am seeking recommendations from other parents of a secondary school for my 11 year old, whom has asd?

most SEN schools I feel looks at behaviour challenges but I don’t feel my 11 year old has behaviour challenges as such.
i believe a school that’s nurturing and emphases on emotional support? And the ability to not single them out or make them feel different?

I don’t feel mainstream can offer what is needed due to being bigger and academic pressures? Home? Uniform? But academic learning is still needed?

hoping I am making sense?
open to all suggestions as it’s about finding the right environment over all? Balanced learning and good communication? Few bullying issues or an effective bullying policy?

any recommendations?
please don’t mention catchments or spaces as I feel I can address that separately.

i think Swanwick school and sports college is ideal. Ecclesbourne has been mentioned but I don’t feel they can cope with the high academic pressures and standards.

any thanks

Ecclesbourne is a mainstream school so I infer not appropriate (from what you have said). Is your DC currently in year 6? Do they attend mainstream school now? If so, have they coped? Are you looking for a special school for secondary?

Do they have an EHCP naming a school? Do you have a secondary place for September or are you moving to Derbyshire? Whereabouts are you or can you move anywhere in the county? Holbrook Centre for Autism is an excellent provision that goes up to age 19 IIRC; I know a couple of former students, but I don’t know how difficult it is to get into (ie what sort of level of need you have to show, do you need an EHCP, how many paces there are).

I e heard some positive things about Heanor Gate Spencer Academy with regards to SEN. It’s a state school though.

We have two older siblings at Ecclesbourne. One whom has SEN and an EHCP and does fairly well but is academic and loves the strict standards and structure.

my youngest needs far more flexible learning, lots of sensory breaks, less homework and uniform adjustments. Something I know Ecclesbourne would struggle to do. In line with my youngest will also struggle to navigate classrooms various teachers and find his way around the school with becoming distressed. He hates also being singled out so just adding I. 1-2-1 will not work for him. He has a need to be in a school that allows all the above minimises staff changes and smaller class sizes.
he is currently out of his primary school (year 6) which is an extremely small, 3 class rural school (8 students in his year group) and the SATs have made it near impossible for him to cope.

he is diagnosed ASD and has an EHCP. We had his review in October and awaiting a draft. No named school was made on the 15th feb. And there are many failings from the LA. And is a separate issue from what I wish to discuss.

we are looking to name a school. We hope to name Swanwick as some academic learning access is important and I am finding a lot of SEN schools are catering towards independent skills community integration communication skills and managing challenging behaviours and unfortunately isn’t the right environment for my youngest.
Swanwick however has a small intake.

I do not believe Holbrook would be suitable for him.
we currently live in Derbyshire. We are planning a move to be closer to my eldest two secondary school but actually is likely to be in Derby city and not county borough.
we would be looking at attaining transport as I currently take my eldest two to their secondary school. We are looking throughout Derby/Derbyshire up to a 30ish minute drive away.

many thanks xx

I’ve got a friend who works at Swanwick and she hasn’t got a good word to say about it. And that’s not her way at all, she’s a positive person.

Have you visited? I think that’s the best way to get the feel of a school.

Hmmm @Neurospicymum1 as I am sure you are aware there are no state mainstream schools (including as you will know Ecclesboirne) that can provide all the things your DS needs, starting with small classes and finishing with no uniform plus no staff leaving.

I don’t know Swanwick Hall but agree, go and see it. Have you also viewed other special schools in the area? I don’t think I can help tbh. Apols, I assumed from your app that you were moving to Derbys.

I have visited and also know a few parents and heard nothing but good.

i have no name more than one school or have an alternative if we don’t get Swanwick

We have visited and named it as our preference but we have to consult other schools and what if he doesn’t get in? I need an alternative

Like I say, I don’t know anywhere in Derbyshire that meets your criteria, sorry. I mostly know about mainstream secondary tho.

https://landau-forte.org.uk/

Have you looked at Landau?

I looked at this school for my eldest and it was a strong contender but I don’t feel it is suitable for my youngest either.
I haven’t heard positive things for Sen children there x

It’s a great school but it has a uniform, classes are 30+ as is standard in state mainstream, lots of different classrooms and other aspects you want to avoid. I think you need to look at a special school but you may find there is not the academic push you are looking for.

Would a private setting be a possibility? Not that I have any suggestions

Legally, you don’t need to state more than one preference.

If you don’t think mainstream will work, have you looked at Alderwasley Hall?

Chase the LA urgently, the EHCP naming the secondary placement should have been finalised by 15th Feb. Acting quickly is importantly in case you have to appeal.

Be aware when you move LA with an EHCP, the new LA becomes responsible for the EHCP. They will review the EHCP and potentially propose to amend or even propose to cease to maintain. You would have the right of appeal but it is something you would need to be aware of.

Fully aware. We won’t want to change schools so hopefully they won’t amend or change anything but who knows.

alderwasley isn’t one I have considered. Thank you.

we know this is also urgent. But unfortunately I only have so much power and we are also doing a judical reviews x

Swanwick hall is not very good at all for mental health support. Since becoming an academy it's really gone downhill

@Neurospicymum1 Alderwasley is a private school tho you may know that

Glad to hear you are going through the JR process to get the LA to finalise - well not glad you have to go down that route, but glad you know how to force the LA’s hand because so many don’t.

Independent schools can be named in EHCPs.

I have heard nothing but good until this post… can I ask what has been your experience?

My son was really struggling and overwhelmed with his GCSE exams. Asked school if he could just do the essentials (English and maths). Point blank refusal from them. Was given a 60 page homework task over the half term with no instructions. I pulled him out of school as he was really struggling mentally. Schools attitude was if you leave we won't support you so 🤷 silly detention for forgetting a ruler or pens, detention for talking when walking between classes.......only allowed to go to the toilet at break time, no other toilet visits allowed

Have you looked at Bemrose?

@shellyleppard Swanwick Hall and Swanwick School and Sports College are different schools.

Sorry! I am talking about Swanwick school and sports college not Swanwick hall school. X

Bemrose has a really poor reputation unfortunately

Apologies I meant the SEN school Swanwick school and sports college

@Neurospicymum1 no worries i hope you get something sorted x

Apologies the Swanwick Hall ref is my fault, I typed it without thinking but I do know the OP is talking about the special school at Swanwick.

@Neurospicymum1 if the fees are ok then Alderwasley is a good suggestion. Otherwise there are special schools (at least one anyway) in Derby that go to 18 but I don’t know if that would suit?