King Edward’s Witley, Surrey for neurodiverse child - or other options to consider?

[KEWorothers]

We are looking at independent schools for next Sept 26, who will take a late entrant going into Y9 (I’m aware a number of schools have already set their Y9 lists with the early entrance process from Y6). My son is neurodivergent (high functioning ASD) but bright and specifically is a natural at maths. So he needs somewhere he will be able to take maths at a higher level where further maths gcse is, at least, offered. I have heard King Edward’s Witley is good with neurodivergent children; does anyone else have experience there: is it genuinely good for neurodiverse children? He doesn’t necessarily want an action packed day, so somewhere serious about academics but also nuturing would be good with small class numbers. Also, if there are other schools suggested, we ought to consider too (within Surrey)?

Also, as our son will be going into Y9 - I’d like somewhere that really he has the option to stay until 18.

Many thanks

Not us (my son is at More House), but two of his best friends went to King Edwards. both very bright, high functioning ASD. Both are doing great, very happy with the school.
My son wouldn’t have been able to do the entrance exam(too anxious, he is academically able but struggles with tests), so he went to More House.

I don’t know if this will help with your question but kesw is a good school and I have seen lots of new students be accepted into lovely groups very quickly, but there have also been shy/quiet/socially anxious teens completely outcasted, shunned and sometimes bullied just for being quiet and anxious.

Yr 9 you have loads of options.

Personally I’d worry about the private opening mornings they advertise on their bill boards outside school (almost worrying they can’t get a full opening morning)

Plus there were a few children expelled for drugs recently there (last term). Maybe it happens in all schools but I was shocked.

All these private schools do have action packed days compared to a state school.

ASD with no troubles you could settle anywhere. It depends on how bright the child / scores. RGS but not sure they take on later than yr7 / adhoc places as I think they changed their policy but they seem ASD friendly.

Where do you live - can you look further south?

Happy to help! Please PM me!

Thanks - yes happy for other suggestions please

Have you looked at St Edmunds in Hindhead? Friends DC who are neurodiverse are happy there. No sixth form at present though.

Thanks - I’ll look, although yes lack of 6th form I do worry about slightly.

Great Ballard near Chichester. No sixth form though but I don’t think that a bad thing. For a vibrant sixth form with quality teaching and a good range of A levels you naturally need a bigger environment so a move again should be something to consider to get it right between yr9-11. Definite no to KESW.

Thanks, that’s really interesting. It is hard to get a real sense from simply touring a school of what goes on. It depends on a cohort too really.

Thanks - unfortunately Chichester is too far out, but appreciated anyway.
May I ask why definitely no to KESW if you don’t mind saying please?

Financials, redundancies, behaviour culture, quality of teaching. Very unimpressed.

My kid is not SEND but attends KESW.All private schools have had redundancies recently (fire/rehire exercises driven by TPS changes - google it) - honestly wouldnt say KESW is more affected than others. Even most prestigious have had teacher strikes this is well documented in Surrey. All roles at KESW have ben filled with quality replacements. KESW in a better position than alot of schools re financials given structure of Royal Bridewell Hospital Schools so dont really see the financial issues comment (loads of investment has gone into new science block and entrances in last couple of years) or it is at least opaque. Every child's experience is different re fitting into group/s culture etc - so that point is well made - you never can tell - my kids experience (coming from state primary) has been very good and good on behaviour and teaching in QMH at KESW (yr 7 and 8) - discipline has been firm but fair. Perhaps contrarian but I dont see kids getting expelled for drugs as a negative thing - that's the reality of teens at any school (lets not pretend that teens in independent schools are immune from this - arguably can be worse) - glad that the school didnt brush it under the carpet (many independent's brush drugs, alcohol, other pastoral issues etc under the carpet for reputational reasons or in the face of powerful/rich parents - again lets be real). Anyways, just wanted to present a different view - good luck

I’ve only heard brilliant things about KESW and my limited interactions have been very positive.

Another option might be Salesian College if Farnborough is near you. All boys and relatively sporty but definitely has very high academic standards and plenty of neurodivergent boys, including those very keen on maths - lots of extracurricular options along those lines too. Pastoral care is outstanding and has a thriving sixth form (think about 150 currently on roll).

Sorry just seen this is old thread and you may have already decided!

Wouldn’t recommend as any child that is the slightest bit quiet or anxious gets completely shunned and treated as if they have a disease.

I hope you ended up with a good outcome. My son went to KESW for a year in 2023 and had a really awful experience. He’s a smart, hard working kid who had never had the slightest issue making friends at his previous school.
At KESW he was bullied terribly, the teachers knew and did nothing about it at all. One particular person singled him out and turned everyone else against him. I have never experienced anything like it, it was truly shocking.
Luckily we were only there for a year as then we came back to Aus where he is back to having loads of friends and loving life again.

thanks all - we decided not to apply - we viewed the school but were not convinced it was the right place for our dc

I have heard a few parents say they are not great with pastoral care. I also believe that they have refused some children from feeder schools because they have SEN needs. I wouldn't even consider the school. Also add their behaviour towards Longacre school. They are obviously not a role model for integrity, communication and respect. They don't seem actually interested in supporting the kids or parents.

I think St Edmunds are a much better school for pastoral care.

I hope you find/found the right school for your child.

St Edmund’s is not SEN / Neurodiverse friendly. I know 3 families with different SEN needs, all were rejected. Two of these families have high-functioning, very academic autistic children and one had a physical disability - all told by St Edmund’s they couldn’t meet need - despite all of these children doing fine in mainstream schools and without extra help or EHCPs!