High functioning autistic girl x SW London/Surrey private schools

[popsicleSU]

Looking for recent, lived experiences with bright, high functioning autistic girls at academic secondary (11+) privates like/including WHS, Surbiton High, Reigate Grammar School, JAGS, SCHS, Sutton High, Ewell Castle (as opposed to specialist schools more explicitly dedicated to ASC provision). These are all schools who have impressed when chatting to SEN - talk of social groups, structured breaks etc - and many now have Heads of Neurodiversity, and even market themselves on neurodiversity itself. But can anyone tell us how it has gone at these schools for their bright, but still ASC girls who might seek/need social and emotional (as opposed to academic) support in these environments into Yr 7 and beyond?

My Y8 autistic daughter is at Godolphin & Latymer. She was happy, bright & quirky at her cosy, non-selective primary but the wheels came off during the transition to secondary.
The first half of Y7 was awful. Her social anxiety went through the roof & my dialogue started up with the school after the February half term as it was clear that there was something else going on - she received her diagnosis this January.
The school has been utterly amazing . She is fully supported by a perceptive SENCO/mentor/fixer/angel who she has a weekly catch up with & she also sees one of the school's two visiting counsellors.
She has a pupil passport, issued to all of her teachers, which details accommodations that she’s worked with the SENCO to specify. She is very happy there now & has a nice group of friends. No ECHP necessary. Any occasional blips are immediately fixed.

I’d not been able to visit Godolphin prior to applying as it was during the pandemic but sources reported that Godolphin was highly academic & had strong pastoral care. Many schools promise this but you never know if this is actually the truth until you’re in need of that care. They could not be more supportive or kind. I’m so incredibly grateful.

Wow that's great to hear @beautifulyoungmind - completely understand when you say "you never know if (strong pastoral) is actually the truth until you’re in need of that care." So glad you have found such an excellent footing, and sounds like the care really is so flexible and bespoke there

Sutton High has a very nurturing Prep school, and really goes above and beyond for girls with ALN/ SEN. The ALN teacher is brilliant, the staff are outstanding, and the Head is very accommodating towards pupil’s needs.

I don’t think the pastoral care is as good in the Senior School though, it certainly doesn’t live up to the hype. There is a school counsellor, who is brilliant but has an extremely long waiting list, and a SENDCO, who by all accounts is very good, but the general teaching staff seem to focus on results than pastoral care.

Hi @becstar77 i tried to message you directly but admin deleted it - I don’t know why - so sorry to use this thread but hope you can help.
I saw your message about Sutton High. our daughter is there and about to go into the higher years after a great start. I just wondered what year your daughter is in, as ours has additional needs and has been really well supported, but I wasn’t sure how that would be at gcse - what needs has your daughter got if you don’t mind me asking? With mine it’s social skills and slow processing. She’s doing great so far and seems to love it - she had a lot of support this year and is happy generally.

That's interesting on SH @becstar77 and @1forward2back - definitely keen to hear more on senior school capabilities there

@popsicleSU for some reason I can’t seem to send anyone a DM. If you want to DM me, happy to talk further

My daughter is at Sutton High senior school, has some additional needs and so far the school have been excellent at a) spotting these and b) liaising with me over them. I think the SENCO / Head of Neurodiversity is very good. The school's ethos is also accommodating of difference and inclusivity. Not something you find everywhere...