Holmwood House and Colchester Prep & High for SEN?

[Beckado]

I appreciate this is a super-specific ask, but I’m posting just on the off chance there is anyone here local enough to me to offer a perspective…

Does anyone have any experience of their ND kids going to either Colchester Prep & High School or Holmwood House in Colchester, Essex, please? I’d be interested in hearing all perspectives from ND-informed folks who know these schools.

I’m looking at options for Y7 entry for my AuDHD daughter, who’s very bright (thinks of herself as academic and really wants to study) but needs quite a lot of emotional, social and exec function support, as well as adjustments around food and other sensory challenges.

Thank you in advance 🙂

Hi, have just seen your post! My son is AuADHD and at HH school - it’s always been brilliant and they have really looked after him but the care and support have hugely decreased since the new headteacher took over, to the point I was told by him: “Your son won’t be staying for secondary school,” (we weren’t planning to keep him on anyway but would have been nice to have the choice…!) I don’t think a child with higher emotional, social and executive function needs would necessarily have the right support at the school. And, honestly, I’m not sure the head and governors want those type of SEN children there - just my opinion and recent experience, but I hope it helps! Definitely worth having a look around the school and having an open and honest chat, though ☺️

Oh my, I'm so sorry you've had that experience, not what I would expect at all!

I have visited a few times and had some pretty frank conversations (I was deliberately up front and 'worse case scenario' after an experience at a private school I know well, where they gave all the right answers but DD had a disastrous taster day and it became apparent they didn't have the understanding they thought they had). Not a hint of that attitude I have to say, so I'm really grateful for your intel.

Though to be honest it's all a bit moot as of last week... my daughter has expressed a very strong preference for CP&HS, because of the STEAM focus and facilities... plus she has a couple of friends there. So in fact we already made the call for her to go there rather than HH.

I really hope you find a great place for your son to go to secondary. I found it SUCH a worry because nowhere seemed to be 'right' at first, but I think we've made the best choice now (well, I say 'we', but it was totally her call, it's just that it's the same one I would have made!) xx