Good schools for child with SEN/Additional Needs

[waterhouse]

Hi everyone
We have a child with dyspraxia and sensory processing issues, as well as general anxiety. He's not very independent at the moment (age 9) compared to his peers. We are looking to move to Edinburgh next summer so we have the opportunity to buy somewhere in whatever catchment has a suitable school. The senco at his current school has suggested he'd be better in a smaller school but they seem to be like gold dust. I think I'm right in thinking that he would have one more year of primary to complete and then he would move to secondary.
We are open to the idea of private schools, though I showed him the prospectus video for Heriot's and he said they do 'too much stuff there' - obviously it looks pretty full on but I tried to explain that all schools will be like that in secondary....
Anyway! Any advice greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance

Hi waterhouse. It's going to be a very unpopular view among mnetters, but have you considered schools on the north side of Edinburgh? I've NC for this as it's very outing, but I live in Muirhouse and have a DS on the cusp of ASD diagnosis. He starts P1 at Pirniehall primary in August. The school have been amazing for us so far. Because it's a deprived area and intake, they see an awful lot of kids with extra needs, and they are warm, welcoming, and accommodating. It's small, only changed to 2 form entry a couple of years ago, and the P1 classes are about 20 kids each. The HT and deputy have been very supportive, we have a staggered start and an assigned additional support for learning staff member, with a quiet 'calm down' room for DS to retreat to if needed.

At age 9, your son will be going into P5 or P6 depending when his birthday is. The primary schools here go to P7, so you are looking at 2-3 years.

For secondary, Craigroystane and Drummond are both small which might create the atmosphere he would like. As pp says not on most people's list but a lot of that is just snobbery. Or could look a bit out of city to somewhere like Currie.

Why not have a look at Loretto School if you can afford private. They only have about 400 pupils in the Senior school in total so approximately 80 per year. It has a warm and nurturing feel about it. I don't know what they are like for SEN but a friends son with dyslexia did very well there after many issues at state school. It's in Musselburgh so a little out of Edinburgh but many from Edinburgh go and are bused in and out each day.

I will also PM you to give you a specific example without outing myself/the child involved, but if you are considering private schools, the Edinburgh day schools are very good. I would stress to your son that you can take part in as many or as few of the extra curricular activities as you like. They are busy bustling schools but I don't think the curriculum is excessive - it just gives a good image in the prospectus to show how many activities you can join.

Thanks everyone - I had forgotten I'd posted this which is why I've taken so long to reply!

Lots to consider...