Any experience with Portland Place Hybrid School?

[lumpahef]

DS is about to start Year 8 at a large, selective independent. Has been excelling academically but really struggles with the school environment. Just diagnosed as autistic, which explains a lot. While we are trying to put supports in place in his current school, it seems likely this will not work. He struggles with sensory issues in particular, as the noise and bustle of the school is just overwhelming. He has very high anxiety/panic attacks etc, and keeping forcing him in is just going to end up traumatizing him.

We are thinking about the hybrid option at Portland Place as an alternative - having three days working at home and two days in doing drama etc seems like it might help him regulate/cope. But he is very bright and very driven to achieve academically, and we really have no sense of how the hybrid school operates in terms of work etc.

Does anyone on here have kids on it, or recently on it? Any views?

thank you!

Have you looked at Burlington House? I know of a boy at the hybrid school but not very closely. Not sure if the inconsistency of some days in, some days out will be a bit much?

@Foxesandsquirrels thanks - he has no difficulties with learning/accessing the curriculum, save for that the anxiety caused by overwhelming school environment means he sometimes cant make it through the door. I hear you about the inconsistency, but he loves drama and music etc and I would hope that having days off to regulate and build up tolerance would help with the day he goes in. Once he gets into the routine of it it could be ok. Otherwise I just dont know what to do. He is absolutely terrified of returning to the big school next week, and even if we find somewhere smaller and more nurturing with spaces to move mid-year in year 8 (not easy in central london!) I worry it would still be too much for him.

@lumpahef Did you see Burlingtons latest results? Lots of kids like your son there, leaving with very good grades. They have kids with no SpLD but couldn't manage in mainstream for reasons similar to your son. My DD is joining in Sept and she's going into lowest sets. She was middle sets in her state secondary. Everyone is expected to take min 7 GCSEs. Saying that, it is very expensive.
I would have a look at Thames Christian. They do well with kids like your son and it's much cheaper. I think he might find the Portland Place kids a bit overwhelming. It's very much a 'popular kids vibe'. Go have a look though, he might love it.

Hi @lumpahef, what did you decide for your son? I have heard that Portland Place is closing down and am curious where pupils will go. My son is AuDHD and finding secondary school challenging socially, and we are currently exploring options.

@Foxesandsquirrels, how is your daughter doing at Burlington House? Is she happy?

Yes Portland Place is/has closed

For Hybrid options I think most people are going to Eaton Place and their new hybrid option which is run by the ex head of the Portland Place Hybrid. We found the in person was not working for our ASC son, so have started at Minerva, which is fantastic so far and highly recommended.

No, it wasn't a good fit for us and for us ended up very different to advertised so she's since left. Plenty of happy kids there though so have a look if it's somewhere you'd see your child.