Looking for Non-Selective Prep quite near London for HFA / Aspergers DC.

[UrgentSchoolHelp]

DC has failed to get in to any of the minimally selective London Preps we went for, the feedback being that they're concerned about the SEN aspect (High Functioning Autism), which we were surprised by as DC really isn't that bad!

Can anyone suggest some Non-Selective Preps (either Day or flexi boarding, Co-Ed or Boys) either in London or within about 40 miles of London? Importantly Im looking for a small Prep which can offer a lot of hand-holding and which won't be put off by the SEN.* we would be prepared to move house for the right Prep but need a good train to London.

• By which I mean genuinely non selective, not just non selective yet mysteriously 50% leave for Eton or Harrow!!

(Please can we try to avoid the state vs private and boarding is evil debates for once!?)

Thanks!

It's v hard to find a school to suit a child academically as well as socially, emotionally and 'physically' (OT, SPD, etc.). I recently moved mine from a v academic prep to another prep in London. The new school is v nurturing and loving - a far cry from our previous experience of 'barely tolerant' (although a couple of teachers were very loving).

St Chris' is amazing - but wouldn't consider my son. Very short-sighted as hadn't even met him! It was a real blow as I absolutely loved the school.

Haggis thank you yes, I'll let you know where he ends up.

Well done to your DS for getting in to two amazing schools, even if you're not totally sure you picked the correct one!

Womdering that's ridiculous!! Shame on St Chris for dismissing him without having met him, that's v sad!!

Id love you to PM me the name of your current Prep or give me a clue, (but totally understand if you don't want to!). I'd also love to hear if it goes to age 11 or 13?

Urgent, yes. Absolutely. I'll PM you.
I was devastated re. st Chris'.
I'll PM you my number
Xx

Thanks so much for all the help everyone! (Bumping hoping I'll get more answers now!)

I hope you've managed to find a few more hopeful possibilities.

Thanks Womdering. I think I've managed to narrow it down a bit, which helps :-)

Great! Fingers crossed for you!

I am in the process of choosing a school for my Ds who has speech delay and Friends in Saffron Walden is a favourite. It goes right through to 18 and has boarding. Everyone I know who has had experience there loves it. Interesting about St Josephs in the Park, I dismissed it as a previous thread said they would not entertain any SEN needs. St Edmunds in Ware is lovely as well but Catholic if that would be an issue for you. They offer a bus service from North London as well.

fgr

Thanks! St Edmunds in Ware with the bus service sounds especially interesting. Thanks, I'll take a look.

Would second an earlier suggestion for More House in Frensham.. They have day, weekly and full boarding places.

Excellent gcse results last year which are even more stunning bearing in mind every boy has a SEN.

School goes from 8-18 so no need to change again in a couple of years.

My DS is very bright and on the spectrum. He has several close friends with similar profiles and the boys are in sets by ability and by learning style. So the visual learners are together and the aural learners are together. This let's the teachers adapt the teaching method class by class to suit their needs.

OT and Speech and language therapy are timetabled. As is additional support in English and maths etc.

Would recommend you take a look.

Others to think about - Fairley House in Pimlico, Frewen College in Sussex, Bredon School - further away in Worcestershire. Clayesmore in Dorset. Priory Lodge in Barnes. More House in Farnham v impressive .

Depends on how academic he is and what level of importance you attach to specialist therapies/more specific Learning support.

I have a similar question re schools and don't want to detract from
OP's post here. Would those who have posted pls look out for my post?
Thank you!

Can you copy a link to your post Womdering please?

Thank you, Expat. I asked MN to remove my post as we have had horrendous and completely unjust bullying from parents at his old school. Thankfully, his new school are seeing HIM vs Chinese whispered gossip. They were horrified at the devastating gossip that had no bearing on reality.

Hi OP I wondered how things went for you ? Feel free to PM

Womdering I have sent you an email.

I mean, PM.