Alexandra Park school (North London) and children with SEN

[JustAMinutePeople]

Hello

Does anyone have a child in APS with any SEN? We did a visit this month and I wasn’t reassured that children with additional needs (in our case it’s suspected dyslexia and ADHD) get enough support. The school felt very strict and very academic with lots of emphasis on high performing students. What happens to children who are not like that?

It's got an incredible SEN dept. They're a bit up themselves and don't really respond to enquiries though. Once you're in, it does have good support, albeit it is very very strict and has got more strict in recent years. Have a look at Heartlands too. It's very very similar, a little less strict. The open evening at APS is always horrible though. Completely overwhelming.

It is brilliant, not perfect and not for every child with SEN. It is very very strict and wont deviate for any SEN kids so you will have to bear that in mind. It is not for every SEN child. It is very academic and tries to support SEN kids who are not, there are lots of options for non academic children also. But if you think you wont be able to cope with the strictness I would go to somewhere with looser rules.

Yes I agree, it's not for every SEN child, but most schools aren't. Behaviour in schools is diabolical now, and even the most lenient schools are becoming super strict.
I like that APS and HHS push the SEN kids academically. They have lots of vocational options for them and try their best to ensure they leave with qualifications, unlike a lot of other local schools.

Thank you so much for your responses.

Do you have any examples of how this support works in practice? E.g. do they have small group interventions for pupils with dyslexia? I keep hearing they are good for SEN but struggle to find real life examples or meet families who went through this. I tried talking to their SENCO during the open evening but they weren’t specific either.

We also went to Heartlands which I hoped to like but felt rather underwhelmed by it. It didn’t help that the kids didn’t seem particularly happy about being there.

Really pulling my hair out at the moment. My other half is very results driven but I’m scared our child will not fit in in a very academic environment.

They do interventions as does every school, I have children at other schools. Do you have an ECHP and are you sure you will get in. There is a waiting list even for SEN children as many apply to go there. Most schools are supportive of children with dyslexia. APS is very good with interventions and support - my child is receiving this and so is another one at another school. Have you worked out which school you are most likely to get into as even if SEN it will be catchement specific also...

My other half wants to move houses so yes we should be able to get if we move close enough. We toured all the local schools and did not like any of them. APS has such a good reputation, we went in expecting to love it, move, etc. But I personally didn’t get a feeling that my child would get all the support they need.
But we also do not have option B, apart from maybe Compton in Finchley. But I’m not very keen on Finchley as an area to live.. Please someone convince me it’s amazing!

I'm not going to convince you it's amazing, it really isn't for a lot of kids. It's the same case in all schools. The pros are that they have caring and stable staff and are very experienced in SEN. However, there are kids there with significant SEN so if your child has mild difficulties, don't expect the world.
It is not paradise, but it does get results. There are definitely more caring schools. APS is great for a SEN child that is keen to please. I would never send a child that's not compliant there. They'll be on a managed move in no time. DD has a close friend who was permanently excluded from there and ended up at Heartlands after and much prefers it, however that school is also very strict and has its fair share of problems.

I know a family who went private instead of APS and are dealing with the same difficulties (imo) that they would be at APS. It's really a very difficult prediction to make.

Thank you, I really value your input.

I think with the right support (inside and outside school) dyslexia is something we can work on. My worry is the ADHD traits, namely the need for constant movement and issues with self regulating when things go ‘wrong’. They love praise and do best in a supportive environment.
We also looked at private schools but there is no way they’d pass 11+. Tests are difficult, esp. when timed, the stress of it just blocks something in their head. Though admittedly they are still quite young (currently year 5).

Kids change a lot in those two years and what they need in Y5 is not what they need as a teen. They're really only a 'child' for Y7 and maybe Y8. The vast majority of their time in secondary school, their needs resemble more those of a young adult. Whilst obviously still being a child.
Do they have a diagnosis for ADHD? My DD has inattentive ADHD and meds have been godsent.
I know APS allows fidgets. I believe they've got rid of the time out cards as they became a safeguarding problem with kids wondering off.