Trying to find a high school

[Betboo]

We are looking for a high school suitable for our son who has learning difficulties and is about 2 years behind. He does not have a statement (falls just short of 1) and copes best in smaller environments.
We are willing to consider state schools, private, independent any really although his difficulties would probably not be severe enough for a special needs school. The ideal would be a smaller high school with good pastoral care.
We need to be able to get into Central London for work within 1 hours travel, (couldn't afford to live in London or immediate surrounds).
Can anyone suggest any high schools please??

Havent had any replies so just wondering if anyone has any suggestions please!!!!!!!!!!

I have heard very good things about Fairley House in Pimlico. I believe children often go there for two to three years to sort out specific learning difficulties and then return to mainstream education. Aged five to 14, so covers the first years of secondary school.

This might be too specialist for you, but it sounds like a good idea for someone that is falling behind because of their learning difficulties.

I have no direct experience, but do know of a couple of children who have found it very successful for them, and they have then slotted back into mainstream schools.

I would support the suggestion above. Has relocated to just south of Lambeth Bridge, walking distance from Waterloo/Vauxhall and several tube lines. I dont know if they have given up their previous premises in Westminster.

Expensive though as they really work hard on the key literacy and numeracy skills with a lot of one to one support. Children are in ability, not age groups, which helps restore confidence to a child who is behind.

The aim seems to be to keep them for two years. Fairley House gave one girl we know the push she needed to grasp those basic skills and go on to thrive at quite an academic secondary. A friend of DS, whose family relocated to send him there as he had been so unhappy in his previous school, was told after a couple of years that he would continue to need specialist support so he went on to a boarding school with the right provision. But with his confidence restored and good social skills.

That said, it might help to know where you live, as there could be other schools closer to home. A friend is employed at a boarding school mainly to help overseas students with their language skills. However it can be expected that such support would also be available for home based students. I think you sometimes have to pay extra.

Thanks for taking the time to reply it is much appreciated. Will have a look at Fairley House. We are in the Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire general area but would move for the right school.
Any other suggestions would also be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again

You could also try Kingswood House in Epsom, which sounds similar to Fairley House. Or Boxhill school, which is an independent secondary school, both are in Surrey.

Thanks Silverstreet for taking the time to reply, will check them out.
Anyone else have any ideas particularly beds herts bucks?

Appreciate everyones help

what about st christophers in letchworth

Would second looking at St Christopher in Letchworth. They're quite flexible about putting children in a different year group, providing extra tuition during school hours (at extra cost) allowing fewer subjects at GCSE etc. My dd1 left last summer after 7 happy years in the senior school. She didn't have any special needs but several of her friends did, and were well looked after.

Thanks johnwithers and ratherbeinnorfolk will def have a look at this one. thanks for taking the time to reply, appreciate all the suggestions as this is going to be a big decision and we really want to try to get it right, so open to considering any suggestions.

Thanks again