Thames Christian School

[stclair]

Does anyone have experience of this school? Dd is in year 9 and autistic and really struggling socially at her all girls independent school. School is trying to help but don’t seem to have a lot of experience. CAMHS recommend a move, I’m wondering whether TCS May be good for her.

Following, as I am also interested in this school(though my child doesn't have autism). I'm sorry to hear your daughter isn't currently happy OP.

I have heard very positive things about the school and am impressed by the new building. I am wondering how Christian the school is? Our family are not religious, and I wouldn't want my child to uncomfortable.

I might be an outlier, but I didn't like the new building at all! Very brutalist and the high-walled enclosed courtyards looked like prison exercise yards.

I would read their SEN policy and other literature very carefully eg enrolment form requires you to disclose any behavioural issues, which seems to me to be a screening device for any "difficult" SEN that aren't dyslexia, basically. I think that they have moved from being a more nurturing school (their website used to mention HFA as a special need they had experience in but it's now gone) to one more focused on results. When I went on the open day the SENCo was not available and the Registrar actively blocked me from trying to talk to her. At the end of the HT's parents' talk, he said "Remember, Thames Christian is a mainstream school, not a special school. We do try, but there are limits." I was appalled but in the end grateful that they were so open about their approach. So perhaps not very Christian!

@ghislaine thank you for your observations. I did notice on their website that autism wasn’t mentioned so perhaps they are leaning away from that now. Another poster has given me good ideas of other schools which may fit the bill as it’s really the social skills my dd needs. She’s tired of being the weird one!

@ghislaine tbh I think at one point they had the reputation of practically being a mainstream special school. There was even a section on their old website about EHCP admissions. They've always been an academic school though and not every child is suited to that. I do think these schools tend to attract parents who's kids really should be in a specialist school but for one reason or another they don't want that.
When we looked at it, they were very real and that's a relief because many schools promise a lot but don't deliver. I think with Thames they really give what they say they will and that won't suit everyone. Their fees are a lot more in line with the local schools now and they will need results to keep bums on seats after all that investment.

@stclair have you considered Burlington House? That is more in the mainstream special school model.

@ghislaine i have had a look at the site on the recommendation of another mumsnetter. It does look great, but ouchy expensive!

At the open day we attended it was fairly clear that pretty much every child there had an EHCP and their place was funded by the LA. I liked the Head (and both the therapy dogs!) and the admissions team were welcoming. It was more special school than we were after though so we didn’t pursue it.

@stclair I've tried to respond to your PM but for some reason I can't type and send.

I don't know much about girls' schools as I have a DS and he doesn't have autism. Burlington House did look good though; you could look at some of the other schools in the Cavendish group or perhaps call them and see what they suggest? Here's the list of their schools: https://www.cavendisheducation.com/schools . They also have a subsidiary body which runs schools for autistic children out of London: https://www.newcomeeducation.com/our-schools.

I don't know More House but another private Catholic girls school in London is the Laurels in Norwood. Their website says they are inclusive of 'moderate special needs'.

I'm not sure where you are, but this appears to be the only state school for autistic girls in the UK: https://limpsfieldgrange.co.uk/.

There's a podcast here which talks about factors in selecting a school for a child with SEN, which I found helpful: https://schoolsshow.co.uk/session/choosing-a-school-for-your-sen-child.

@ghislaine thanks for your suggestions. I’ve had a look at Cavendish. I don’t think dd needs a special school as such, a mainstream one who understands autism and other needs so can be more supportive would be enough I think. I had a look at more house today, it may fit the bill!