Unicorn School, Abingdon

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Does anyone use/did you use the Unicorn School in Abingdon? If so, what it is like? Is it suitable for ADHD kids?

A friends daughter is there (asd/adhd). It is a SEN school, and one of the few in the county, but it does have a specialism in dyslexia. She worries a little about her daughter being stretched academically

i believe they now teach dyslexic and asd students somewhat separately to give them the specialisms they need

its not a (completely) secure school if that’s what you need. I also know of a handful of asd/ adhd students they have said they are unable to accommodate because their needs are too severe, so not sure level to which they can accommodate

Thanks. I don't think we need a totally secure site, but she's ADHD and ASD and writing is a major issue. But she's bright, so if I can find the right environment and teaching she will hopefully be able to achieve decent qualifications etc.

I'm also needing somewhere with relatively high academic expectations, as she'll take the easy route if she's not pushed a bit (but not too much as that sets off the PDA...)

Is she secondary? LVS might be worth considering.

She is currently primary, but OK where she is. I'm thinking ahead for secondary now. I've got plans to attend the LVS open day in the New Year.

I'm really hoping to use state provision, but it's finding it that's the problem:

• Sensory issues mean that wearing a uniform is (currently) not going to happen. We have enough issues with shoes, let alone tops with collars.
• She does well in small group teaching (the SEN unit at her school has 4 kids in it per session).
• She needs familiar spaces and people.
• The ADHD means her attention span is very short.
• When distressed, she hides.

At the same time, she is gregarious, funny and personable. If comfortable and engaged, she'll take in a lot of information and she does remember it.

It's all a bit difficult!

I understand. The ASD provision is very poor in Oxfordshire.

I haven’t looked in depth into secondary but it sounds like LVS might be a good fit (though I’m not sure about the uniform requirements). At least with independent schools the class sizes are likely to remain small, whereas the state schools are past their capacity. I don’t know what’s going to happen with SEN funding though - it seems like there will be a push to keep SEN pupils in mainstream rather than create more SEN schools and places and to stop spending so much money on independent places.

Are you on the Oxfordshire SEND Room Facebook group? You’ll probably get more response there. I would also join Facebook SEN groups from other counties in case you have to look further afield.

I’ll go find that now!