Emanuel School SW11 - pastoral support and suitability for ASD/ SEN

[JustAnotherMamaBear]

Looking at the 10+ route for DC, who is autistic.

Hoping to find a nurturing school that will understand his quirks. Currently having a hard time in a state primary, as deemed to be too academic to need support of any kind. Needs are by no means profound, essentially a SEN-betweener, who is on the quiet side and just need a little more reassurance, and would love peers who are also very focused on learning.

Would Emanuel be worth considering?

I've gone through old threads and have been left a little confused. It's often described as being kind and caring with good pastoral support, but at the same time, there seems to be a lot of negativity around meeting SEN needs?

I would love to hear from current parents. If SEN is indeed lacking, exactly what is it that's not done very well? I see posts mentioning that the provision is improving, is this the case? Has the new head made any changes in this area?

I'd also appreciate suggestions of other schools with a 10+ entry point which may be suitable.

Thank you.

Honestly, it’s very ‘alpha’ and I’m not sure he’d feel at home.
Have you considered the Hall in Wimbledon? Much smaller and nurturing for quirky types. Not sure on SEN provision though, you’d need to check.

Agree with pp. I live close and almost all the kids I know who have gone there fit the mould of very social, fairly sporty, not especially into academics.

is Trinity or DC within reach? Trinity seems quirkier/more academic focused and DC has all types from what I’ve seen. Not sure if there is a 10+ route.

Or London Park is very nurturing, small classes and good with SEN but may be too small and not academic enough? No 10+ though but no entrance test either

I’m afraid the “too academic to need help” is a thing in private schools too.

I’d agree on DC accommodating all types. Much bigger more intense culture than the Hall though.

Thanks for the suggestion @joanofaardvark I will put The Hall onto my list to check out

Thanks @minipie

Ok, it really doesn't sound like a good fit then, he's very much the opposite to all of that. We are in fact willing to move, so will consider anything that is travelable back into London for work. Will have a look at the ones you've suggested.

Could you please shed some more light on "too academic for help in privates" too? We were hoping the smaller class size will mean better support. It's the sole reason why we're looking at privates.

Class sizes are 25 ish in the big London private schools (Emanuel, Dulwich schools etc) so not a huge amount smaller than state.

Less mainstream options like London Park have small class sizes. There may also be smaller classes at other newish senior schools such as the one opened by Thomas’s - worth a look although I don’t know about their SEN reputation.

Thames Christian gets recommended for being something a bit different to the usual alpha style London private and it says it has small classes. But I haven’t visited myself.

My dd goes to Thames Christian School and is autistic. We have found the pastoral care to be amazing. It is a mixed ability school so plenty of high achievers but also those who may struggle a bit without support. And it’s not too far from Emmanuel!

I have a friend who looked at Thames Christian for their autistic child but felt the ‘traditional Christian values’ equated to being anti-LGB and that they were rather antiquated in other areas, though I know someone else whose quirky child is thriving there.

My DD is in middle school at Emanuel and it is amazing for her. She got diagnosed autistic in Feb of y9, and did get msde fun of in year 7, and as she was undiagnosed, she had no way to answer to this. Some teachers were amazing and she never had anyone make fun of her in those lessons. A few weren’t great, however since she got diagnosed they’ve been much more aware and accommodating. The school has been amazing for her. Learning support/SEND department are amazing - Miss Kyndt is incredibly lovely and DD sings her praises. DD is very academic and had never had the ‘too academic to need help’ treatment from LS. They are very on top of access arrangements - DD was tested for extra time and now uses it - proves very helpful. Her head of year is one of the loveliest teachers I know, and checks jn with DD regularly - or DD just goes in for a chat if somethings up. If your kid isnt great at sport (DD is also dyspraxic so finds PE and games impossible, but many of her friends weren’t sporty in primary but do lots now.) He might find that hard - DD is very involved with drama and music so thats her thing. You do notice that every kid has a ‘thing’ there - I personally think it’s great because the co curricular is so good. My DD is quite independent so has sorted quite a lot of her support almost by herself (just by going to LS or head of year and asking for help) but if your kid finds that hard or doesnt ask for help uou may need to get involved and email people - they are generally very responsive and helpful. If you have any questions let me know - I will try my best to answer or ask DD. Overall school for her - has its ups and downs but she wouldn’t have the support and everything else she loves elsewhere imo.

I’d honestly be wary of ‘the small, nurturing independent school’ for an autistic child (although I don’t think Emmanuel is especially small). You will likely find that a great many other parents with autistic/SEN have been advised similar - which, inevitably, leads to a bunch of vulnerable kids with little or no support because in a ‘small school’ they just don’t often have the infrastructure to do so.

Is there a local state school near you that has a specialist SEN unit? I’d apply for an EHCP pronto, if I were you; it’s nonsense that a child will be deemed “too academic” to need one (I’m sorry you were poorly advised on this).

Having been in your very shoes, I would add that bright/cognitively able is all well and good, but being happy, having social and emotional needs supported are paramount for ASD kids, in my opinion, and the future life they will lead. The most important areas of your son’s education are unlikely to be based upon exam results.

Good luck with it all…