Transport to More House School Frensham from West London (and back)

[AliceAlice1234]

Hello DS has been offered a place at MHS In Surrey but for various reasons we cannot move and we live in West London. Does anyway know how the boys get to and from school from London? he is not a boarding material. Do boys travel on the train on their own? Do parents get together and take turns to get them there and back? Any information would be hugely appreciated.Thank you!

Hello, I don't know what the parents do as I'm not one but I do know where More House is in relation to Farnham and the journey to Waterloo. It sounds like a very long day to be honest - if you'd said that your DS could have had a short walk to Clapham Junction then got on the Farnham train, that would probably just about have been doable. If he's got to get back from Frensham to Farnham Station then spend the best part of an hour on a train and then get from Waterloo to West London, that sounds pretty gruelling to be honest. is there no chance he could flexi board and at least cut down the number of journeys each week?

A friend had a son at MHS but lived in Hampshire near the Surrey border and they got paid transport for their son from the LA. Is there really not a closer school suitable for your son? That’s a hell of a journey! Is there even a train station in Frensham?

A few years ago there was quite a big group who travelled from Richmond in taxis but they must of had Statements/ EHCP as Richmond paid. There was also quite a few boys from Kingston. Worth asking the schoolif there are others from your area.

Thank you very much for all the replies. Sadly DS cannot board due to anxiety (hence MHS) as flexi boarding would be a good solution. In our corner of West London sadly all private schools are not interested as he has an EHCP despite the fact that he is bright so it is the state sector but I am not sure if they would be able to meet his needs. it is tricky. thank you all!

I know a friend that took her son to Clapham junction and put him on the train. There were lots of students who took the train from there and I think she said the older ones look out for the younger students. He now does flexi-boarding I think but wasn't ready for it in year 7. He can do journey home too.

Could you take him (from say Chiswick Overground) to Clapham Junction and then put him on the train? Or could you drive him to another station on the route?

Long way though and a big commitment day in day out especially if you work.

The school may have suggestions and know of students living in West London.

Is there any chance of getting MHS named in your son’s EHCP? Your LA would then pay fees and also supply the transport.

Thank you so much. I will investigate the EHCP and naming the school - I think this must be a possibility. He would be going into Year 6 so too little to travel on his own but if there are other boys then that might work - I will speak to the school. Thank you SO much - it has given me a few ideas xxx

You can get private schools named on an ehcp - I was offered a private 6th form for my daughter but didn’t take it as they didn’t have a great reputation for dealing with SEN. I think the LA might find you a closer school if they think they have to pay travel! Isn’t there a ruling about how far children can travel even if accompanied in a paid for taxi?

Yes KT I think you may be right re how far children can travel to school.

My DS's school is an independent SEN specialist, named on his EHCP and therefore paid for (including transport) by our LA. He weekly boards as the school is over an hour and a half away; the taxi takes him over on a Monday and returns him on a Friday. The LA did try to place him somewhere nearer and cheaper but we threatened tribunal as we believed the nearer/cheaper school couldn't meet his needs. The LA conceded and we got our choice of school named.

There are other scenarios, such as when an LA will name the family's choice of school in the EHCP but will name it as 'parental preference' (meaning that there's a nearer school that the LA believes could meet the child's needs but the parents requested their own choice). In this scenario, in our county at least, the LA would pay school fees but the parents would be responsible for transport.

So confusing...!!!!

MPP
My son has been offered a place at More House starting September 2019 at Y8 and we live in South West London. I’m evaluating options of travelling daily by train versus weekly boarding too.

Hi @MPP and @AliceAlice1234. Did your boys take up places at More House in the end? How has it been and did you manage to resolve the transport issue We're? We're in South London and are looking for a place for DS and worrying about how we'd get him there.

Hello,

Yes we have taken the place for my older boy last year. He is weekly boarding tho.. this in the end was the only solution as a three hour round trip was not something we felt was achievable however he is no longer enjoying boarding (he loved it at first) so may have to rethink again. Best of luck!

Thanks so much for the reply @AliceAlice1234 good to hear your experience but sorry to hear boarding has been difficult. Why aren't there more school like this? It really shouldn't be this hard. Best of luck to you and your DS.

Thank you@Popkids and to you too! Xx