Secondary school

[Fooshufflewickjbannanapants]

Gaaaah my brain is mashed,

Background
my son has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus and is a wheelchair user, has a special chair to sit in at school, Lycra suit, medically managed bowels (sometimes Incontinance issues despite this) and has a one to one. Uses dictate/ clicker 8 on his laptop etc
We have been advised to start looking for secondary schools (currently y4)
He is bright, very bright, articulate an avid reader and near the top of the class despite only attending 2 full days and two halves (we are working on it!)

So special school (which seem to primarily deal with more severe cp/autism/Adhd etc or mainstream which will stretch his brain but will possibly not really manage his medical needs despite having the good old try

Where can I look for information? Can he do GCSEs at a special school? My brain is mashed! Any experience?

You might get more replies if you ask for this to be moved to SN Chat, SN children or SEN.

Does DS have an EHCP?

Do you have any PD ARPs within travelling distance?
Are there any mainstream schools within travelling distance who have other medically complex &/or physically disabled pupils? If you aren’t sure about this it is worth asking around locally.

It is possible to do GCSEs at special schools, but all special schools are different so what they offer varies.

Are DS’s needs currently met in MS? If so, what makes you think secondary MS wouldn’t work? Genuine question, I have tried to reword that several times, and it still sounds PA but it isn’t meant like that, I am trying to understand more in order to help and see a way around barriers if you think MS would be best.

You can search for schools here.

When you say DS only attends 2 full days and 2 half days why is that? Does he not have any other provision? The LA should be providing other provision as well. If you post more about this I can advise you on how to advocate for additional provision.

Thank you, I didn't post there because thought it was for sen ie autism/adhd etc I'm sorry I didn't realise!
There are arps but they seem particularly geared towards autism/emotional needs and odd etc
Mainstream locally have no comparable pupils, I worry that because he has intimate care needs (medical managed bowel) that it will make him a target for bullying.

He is aiming for full time eventually ( he has more aids to help now) as he was physically exhausted but lots of OT input has helped a great deal.
Thank you for your reply.

And yes to the echp

The SN and SEN boards aren’t just for ASD/ADHD, physical disabilities are classed as SEN too under physical and sensory, which is why an EHCP is possible.

Some areas e.g. Hampshire, Camden, Birmingham, Solihull have PD ARPs that are worth looking at if there’s any within travelling distance. These will have experienced and trained staff in intimate care and medical care.

I can understand bullying being a worry, at a school with a PD base one would hope the staff would be extra on the ball with this given other pupils are likely to have intimate care needs.

If DS could cope with it the LA should be providing something for when he is not attending school. Not tuition if DS couldn’t manage that but even if it is something as little as subscription to magazines or a subscription box DS can pick up and put down as his energy levels allow.

Oh wow I didn't know that about la providing something thank you!
Alas I am in South Yorkshire so a little far for us but I will see what I can find I have also re posted on the other board as you suggested.

This school in Sheffield has a PD ARP, you don’t have to be Catholic to get a place in the ARP.

If you are towards either border Derbyshire and Kirklees also have one each.

If DS cannot attend school full time the LA should be providing alternative provision under s.19 of the Education Act 1996, but also there should be provision in section F of the EHCP to cater for DS attending part time. Getting provision in the EHCP allows for greater flexibility than the provision under s.19 of the Education Act 1996 and is more easily enforceable.

If you are in South Yorkshire look into Paces school, which is set up for CP children specifically. They could manage secondary education but I'm not sure to what level.