"Alternative" schools with smaller classes, in SW?

[nanbread]

Our son aged 5, bright but possible SEN (I suspect autism and dyslexia, but no diagnosis), would really thrive in a non pressured, chilled environment, smaller classes, with lots of 1:1 or small group attention. I would love a really rounded curriculum with some self directed opportunity rather than an academic hothouse.

Does anyone know of any schools offering this please, ideally south west / Wiltshire area but willing to consider elsewhere if not too expensive to live? State or private, ideally state but thinking small rural state schools may not be equipped to deal with SEN. Thanks

@nanbread - Have a look at at this - I think your son may be too young at the moment, but there are online possibilities out there which might fit the bill:

thelearningcircle.co.uk

The Learning Circle has a bricks and mortar sister school in Hebden Bridge which does take children from 5.

I think a lot of the small SW prep schools would fit your bill. Many are very inclusive. Can you narrow down the area at all?

Locally to me, Hazelgrove is crested for dyslexia.

Clayesmore is also known locally for being very inclusive and strong for pastoral care. It has the benefit of being all through, which is good for those not so keen on change.

@reefedsail thanks, looking at the Clayesmore fees I think we'd struggle to pay those as they go up. May have to rethink. We could probably afford £10k per year per child but not more. My children go to a state primary with a very mixed cohort at the moment and I also wonder if it would be a real culture shock going there. I don't think they'd pass any entrance exams with flying colours etc.

Location wise, we would consider moving for the right school, but ideally if I was to draw a square (?) between Newbury, Gloucester, Newport and Warminster it would be in that area. Would consider Bath, Bristol, Stroud etc as well as rural.

[quote qwerty1972]@nanbread - Have a look at at this - I think your son may be too young at the moment, but there are online possibilities out there which might fit the bill:

thelearningcircle.co.uk

The Learning Circle has a bricks and mortar sister school in Hebden Bridge which does take children from 5.[/quote]
Thanks, we are looking for a bricks and mortar school for now, Hebden Bridge a bit far but it looks interesting.

Hi Nan! My kids go to Park School in South Devon, Dartington. It’s fee paying, but fees are tiered on basis of income. Senior version is Sands in Ashburton.
Gorgeous schools, small classes, my son with autism went through both schools, now at College. Siblings working way through too. Happy for you to PM me if you’d like more info! We moved here for the schools, never regretted it. Gorgeous place to live too, and lovely parent community. Swimming in the river in the Summer, the moor and the beach close by...

www.parkschoolonline.com/

www.sands-school.co.uk/

State schools pretty much all follow the same curriculum and will be around 30 per class, but I'm told the schools here are good to the west of Bristol on the coast. My area is lots of families and many are from Bristol priced out, it's cheaper here but still has a bit of an alternative vibe

Thinking about prep schools more, mine was very much about prepping to get into the best senior school and very into academia, I'm not sure that's the right fit for us.

I like the sound of the King Alfred School, would like it cheaper and not in London!