Halliford, Radnor House, St John’s Leatherhead

[SWLondonboymum]

We are applying to all these schools for our son for year 7. He’s currently in a small, SEN friendly mainstream, private primary in SW London.
Academically he is doing well but socially he struggles and tends to have one close friend and is quirky.
He’s not formally diagnosed with anything but likely on the mild end of the autism spectrum but has coped well at his current small, nurturing, private school. He’s not sporty but enjoys drama and art.
We are not looking at state options as he previously was in a state school and it was too large for him. Any current parents with boys at this school who has this type of profile? Would love some advice.

Halliford. Good pastoral support.

Is Claremont Fan too far ? It’s nurturing and although not academically selective very inclusive with about half SEN children.

@Summerbreakyessss , is your knowledge of Claremont Fan recent? It's actually quite competitive to gain a place now and they make a point of not offering to SEN, a few years ago a parent on MN had her son rejected by CFC but accepted by a Sutton Grammar.

So interesting how the very best schools that are highly academic are also totally switched on with regards to SEN and accommodations. In my enquires it’s always the mid tier schools that are concerned about lap tops or extra time. The big hitters just take it in their stride. I have a dd who is bright and able but has adhd and needs a few accommodations. Her school report and Ed pysch report make it clear she’s delightful, not remotet
disruptive and doesn’t need extra support just time etc you would think from some schools reactions you were asking to admit a rabid dog into their school.

to the OP I hear great things about St John’s and I think Claremont in popular rather than academic but I would call the senco and test their response it will tell you everything you need to know.

Also keen to hear views on Radnor, the planning for kneller
is not approved so keen to see how that pjs out!

Yes - my nephew is there - he has ADHD and ASD and is very happy. Many of his classmates also SEN and happy. Would seriously recommend for children who need extra help and not able to achieve the grades at a selective school.

Which school is that ?

Thanks all! So would you say all of these are the right profile for my son or just Radnor/Kneller and Halliford?

I've sent you a PM.

Haliford very small school lots of children with Sen

Halliford is amazing for pastoral . My boy is bright with SEN and he is doing incredibly well there - most of which I put down to the school and their support. Also heard good things about radnor although it’s a bit of a gamble on kneller hall . Clarement now pushing academically so not taking the SEN children they previously would have done. St John’s was out of our budget so can’t help you on that one

Suppose if your child is not diagnosed / no EHCP too it will depend on what school you get into….

st johns is hard to get into when you take out girl : boy ratio and then sibling policy not many places left for boys that aren’t good at sport / famous mum/dad 😂

see where you get into and go from there 👍

I wish you luck for the upcoming exams. I think you have picked 3 lovely schools for your son, so go with you gut for you know him and his needs best.

My DS is at St John's and it does have a large and very good learning development department. Here is a link to the information about it on their website. Learning Development | St John's School Leatherhead (stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk)

It is a lovely caring school that takes in a broad spectrum of children. Sport is important but so is Music, Art and Drama.

Sport is a big part of St J's and he will have to take part in it, with them doing some sort of games / PE 3 times a week in lower school. The sports teams are streamed so he will play with people similar to him.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved in music and drama, its a very vibrant part of the school.

It is a longer day than the other two schools and it is a busy place due to the broad curriculum, wide range of activities on offer and prep club after school. It suits our DS as he does his homework at school, and enjoys the activities, but it is not for everyone.

I hope this information helps.

Hi @SWLondonboymum ... wonder if your son is now at one of these schools & how you're finding it? Do you mind if I PM you?

You’re welcome to PM me. We actually didn’t go with any of these options in the end!

A friend of mine has worked at Radnor since it opened and thinks it is a really warm and inclusive school where children flourish who might have struggled in mainstream. I don't know any pupils there but I trust her judgement and she talks so enthusiastically of her pupils and their achievements and progress when we meet - if she is typical of their teaching staff, I'd send a child there.