Sussex / Surrey Schools

[SENMummyto2]

I have a 8yr old (current yr4) who is currently in our local mainstream primary. She is very academic, does competitive sport and is generally very artsy too. She has ADHD with a strong PDA profile, although no Autism apparently. We’ve been dealing with EBSA throughout her school life, but up until now hasn’t missed a substatial amount and is still at either expected levels or above expected.
Anyway, she has an EHCP and is getting support at school but we’re now at the point that even school agree there needs to be change in placement is in agreement that she needs a small school with small group teaching who are able to provide a nurturing, low arousal, environment but also able to offer enrichment and academic stretch. Given this, we’re now considering school and mainstream independent. At the moment my front runners are leith hill (for specialist), atelier 21 (for alternative) or either Farlington or Burgess Hill girls for mainstream independent.

Does anyone have any experience on any of these schools they could share?

Alternately, please do tell me if there are any others I should consider. Ideally I’d like it to be a through school given her issues with transitions.

Thank you!

It is inspiring to see such careful consideration of a child’s individual strengths, needs, and future growth. Finding a supportive environment that nurtures wellbeing while encouraging academic potential is truly important.

Well you can’t have a strong pda profile without ASD 🤣

Leiths Hill doesn’t accept pda

Mainstream independent haven’t heard of those 2 however longer hrs and also demands are greater compared to a state school. I’d be weary of them with pda as they can off roll if you can’t fit the jelly mould.
Equally will she want to do all the 11 plus rubbish and tests etc.

Id get an EP booked in as it will prob be a tribunal and Surrey are 💩 so they will drag their heals for years. So I’d pick the other county

Good luck

I would start by looking at your evidence, this should help you think about what provision DD needs, and really think about what DD requires. For example, Leith Hill has a very different offer to Burgess Hill Girls and it is highly unlikely they would both work.

I suspect DD might find Leith Hill overwhelming.

Even if it is an all-through school, Y6 will be a phase transfer year and there’s no guarantee the LA will name the school. You can make your case, but you need to be aware it isn’t guaranteed.

I know what you mean because independent mainstream is used in every day language, but when speaking to the LA you should know that technically there’s no such thing as independent mainstream. Section 83 of the Children and Families Act 2014 defines a mainstream school as a maintained school or an academy that is not a special school. Independent schools can’t be mainstream schools, in law. The definition doesn’t cover what are often called independent mainstream - which are technically registered as ‘other independent school’ (as opposed to ‘other independent special school’ for independent special schools). I wouldn’t usually mention it because in everyday language independent mainstream is used as shorthand for an independent school that isn’t an independent special school, but if you are going to request one, it is important you know.

I’d pick the other county

Unless OP is planning on moving home as well as school, which she doesn’t mention doing, it doesn’t matter which LA her preferred school is in, it is the LA she lives in that writes the EHCP and it is the LA she lives in who would be the other party in any appeal she made.

Thank you, that’s very helpful. I can’t find any specialist within our county (West Sussex) that seems to meet the criteria. I have found another that might, but again is in Surrey.

im going to have a look at some schools soon as absolutely agree if somewhere like Burgess Hill is right, then it’s very unlikely that Leith Hill would be and vice versa.

also, very good point re age transfer - it hadn’t even occurred to me that I will need to go through another fight later down the line x

Depending on where in W. Sussex you are you could look at Great Ballard. Not as academic as some independent schools, but many find them understanding, nurturing and inclusive, and it is small.

It wouldn’t provide the all-through experience you want, but if it is within travelling distance, you could look at Hove micro-school. Not your typical school and not the most academic, but worth considering if you think something more specialist is needed and you think DD could cope with that type of environment.