Good Haringey/N London Secondary for Girl with suspected ADHD

[10YellowTulips]

I'm looking for opinions on which N London secondary might suit my DD. Y5 currently and moving anyway so looking to move close to the best secondary option for her. Would prefer to stay in Haringey but potentially open to other N London options.

Current shortlist is Fortismere/ Highgate Wood /APS /Woodside/Heartlands

A bit about my DD - we struggled with her behaviour in lockdown and struggles have continued at school. She's now being sent for CAHMS assessment for potential hyperactive ADHD, ODD and/or ASD not completely ruled out either. Her issues are mainly with her behaviour, socially she seems ok and academically she has done very well so far. My main concern for the future is lack of engagement and motivation, potentially getting into trouble at school etc. She really doesn't react well to overly strict discipline but responds well to positive encouragement and praise. A routine of some sort is a must it seems, I believe that's where it went wrong in lockdown.

I'm very torn between choosing something more relaxed and hoping she will choose the right path herself or going for a more regimented choice that may then push her too far so she gets herself into trouble.

Any advice/experience of similar children in the schools I mentioned? Or other options nearby I haven't considered?

I cannot help as not in your area but exactly the dilemma I am facing for my daughter. She is diagnosed dyspraxic and was referred for adhd but didn't meet cahms threshold. I need a balance of strict to keep her focused as she loses concentration very easily but not so strict she gets in trouble for stuff she really cannot help!

Good luck Toomanycats99, hope you find the right school for your DD. It's so hard to know what to do for the best, isn't it?
This is all quite new to us as DD has really changed in recent months and what seemed like a relatively easy choice before is now a major dilemma. Not being to look round schools at the moment doesn't exactly help either!

Our nearest school is currently requires improvement and my worry is if she went there she wouldn't be kept on track and would end up the disruptive kid at the back of the class. I don't want her to waste eduction as she's not unintelligent and she wants to learn she just needs 121 explanation of what she's meant to be doing!

Her sister goes to a partially selective school which she got in via 11+ as we are way out of catchment. I hear good things about their SEN so I am hoping she can get in under sibling policy without 11+ (as long as nothing changes)

But it's hard as without an ehcp I don't know how much support you get at secondary . She has lots of breakout sessions currently at primary.

We have friends who had two kids at Fortismere (eldest is now in 6th form elsewhere) and they aren't impressed with the pastoral care. Their younger DC is in Y6 and needs a bit more support so won't be going for Fortismere.
There's also Hornsey School for Girls. I looked around last year and quite liked it but no idea about additional support. It didn't strike me as too strict.

Not any personal experience but have always heard that Heartland is good for pastoral care

Even if you're not able to visit the school, would it be possible to email and ask for a chat with the SENco as your dd is being assessed via camhs?

I know all of those schools, and have heard good things about all of them other than Fortismere for children with some sort of SEN.

Thank you for all the replies so far. Yes I suppose trying to speak to the SENcos won't hurt and its good idea to use the CAHMS angle to get them to speak to me. I was worried they might say no because she isn't diagnosed with anything.

I have also heard those things about Fortismere, however, I feel conflicted because on paper it sounds a good fit for my DD. Her issues are really all around the discipline and the behaviour - she produces very good quality work (when she wants to) and was exceeding expectations in all her subjects before lockdown.She is disruptive in class when not occupied or bored by the work and at the moment she is frequently being taken out of class or missing playtime.

Sounds like Fortisemere is the most likely to just leave her alone and she might get on with it, whereas the others would probably discipline constantly and it could spiral downwards from there. But perhaps I'm being naive and active management would be better?

I don't want to send her to an all-girls so Hornsey is out. For want of a better word she is very much a 'tomboy' and I think she would be better off in a mixed environment.

Really hoping that someone with a similar child might be able to share what worked for them, even better if they are familiar with the local schools.

@TenYellowTulips

Its really tricky to balance those needs.

Have you thought about Independent Schools - I hear Northbridge House is doing a good job with SEND students and although they have an entrance test its really non selective. Worth a look.
Good luck!

My son was amazingly well supposed at APS, he does have an EHCP though. I couldn’t find any other school in Haringey, or surrounding boroughs, with such a good SEN department. They are strict about behaviour but they are very supportive and pastoral care is great.