Parkside community college

[goodboys]

May I know does the Parkside community college in Cambridge suitable for SEN children?

The school with the strongest reputation for SEN in Cambridge is probably St Bedes (friend of mine whose child has an EHCP sent him there). Also Comberton Village College (outside Cambridge) is meant to be very good - I think they have a specialist autism unit.

Having said that my child is at Parkside and seems to be doing ok, they have tried to put some support in place - obviously rather different situation in the current period. Probably depends what sort of SEN your child has, it is a small school (so they know the children well) but that also has some drawbacks (limited staffing and flexibility). The SENCO works 3 days a week.

You might want to try the Cambridge Local board, OP.

We looked around and weren't that impressed with SEN provision, based purely on the tour. Impington and Comberton much better, at least at 'talking the talk' with regards to SEN.

But I don't have direct experience and a tour is only a quick glimpse, so hard to say really. Agree with PP re posting on local board.

Parkside is a very popular school with a very small catchment area so unless you live really close it is probably a non-starter in any event.

St Bede's is also popular and is also a faith school so again it will depend which category you fall in as to whether you will get in.

Yes, but the level of SEN may mean that the OP can name a school that is usually not an option.

Comberton was excellent for autism in our experience, but that was some years ago now, and other schools may have greater expertise with other SEN.