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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

SEN secondary school

11 replies

MaristellaAlp · 14/02/2025 09:33

Hi, my son has a language disorder, ADHD and dyscalculia. He is currently in year 5 in a very good mainstream state school which has additional resources for SEN. He has an EHCP. We are considering options for secondary education, both mainstream schools and independent schools focused on SEN. We live in North London. Looking at independent specialist schools, I have identified Fairley House, Abingdon House and Blossom House. Does anyone have any other independent SEN schools to suggest? Do you have any direct experience in any of these schools? Thank you very much in advance!

OP posts:
StrivingForSleep · 14/02/2025 12:26

Depending on where you are in North London, Egerton Rothesay may be within travelling distance and might be worth a look.

If boarding would be an option, you could look at Moor House and More House.

Original poster
MaristellaAlp · 14/02/2025 15:30

Thank you for the suggestion! We're in the Highgate area. Egerton Rothesay is probably too far too reach...

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xmasdealhunter · 15/02/2025 01:30

Abingdon House is meant to be fantastic. A friend's DS went there, and loved it, the support seemed brilliant. If they're not too far away, Stormont House (Headteacher's Welcome - Stormont House School - Achievement For All) is also worth a look.

Original poster
MaristellaAlp · 15/02/2025 09:19

Thank you very much, Stormont House looks definitely interesting!
Yes, I heard Abingdon is very good. They say they are fully booked but hopefully places come available in >1 year time.

Does anyone have direct experience with Blossom House or Fairley House? To understand what type of environment they offer. We have experience (with older kids) across both the traditional prep independent schools and mainstream schools.
Thanks a lot!

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Overnightoats1 · 16/02/2025 22:42

My DS1 attends Blossom House in Motspur Park and I can't speak more highly of the staff and school

Arran2024 · 16/02/2025 22:57

My daughter went to Blossom House but that was a while ago, when it was in Wimbledon. It is highly popular and expensive. Does your son's ehc plan justify a school like Blossom House? The LA will no doubt try to get you to agree to mainstream. You may need to appeal and you may need your own evidence. Get advice on how to proceed now eg from SOS!SEN. I started with an interview with BH where they got my daughter in for a trial and they wrote a report which was very useful, but I also took advice from SOS!SEN and got private reports done.

Original poster
MaristellaAlp · 17/02/2025 08:59

Thanks both for the replies. It's great to hear that the Bloodom House is actually good. Honestly, they have a poor website so it is not easy to get an idea of the school based on that.
We are getting updated EO and SLT reports, we will send them to Bloosom House and the other SEN schools together with my son' EHCP. So they can tell us if the school is a potential good fit. Then, we will approach the LA.

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Poshwatermelon · 01/03/2026 21:03

MaristellaAlp · 17/02/2025 08:59

Thanks both for the replies. It's great to hear that the Bloodom House is actually good. Honestly, they have a poor website so it is not easy to get an idea of the school based on that.
We are getting updated EO and SLT reports, we will send them to Bloosom House and the other SEN schools together with my son' EHCP. So they can tell us if the school is a potential good fit. Then, we will approach the LA.

How did you get on with Blossom Housr if you don’t mind me asking x

Original poster
MaristellaAlp · 07/03/2026 20:58

Hi, we visited Blossom House and we realised that it deals with more acute and complex situations that the SEN of my son. So it didn’t really appear to be an option for us. Taking this aside, the teachers we talked with came across very well. The building is not very good and needs investment- which is not really acceptable considered the fees of the school.

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Overnightoats1 · 12/03/2026 19:10

MaristellaAlp · 07/03/2026 20:58

Hi, we visited Blossom House and we realised that it deals with more acute and complex situations that the SEN of my son. So it didn’t really appear to be an option for us. Taking this aside, the teachers we talked with came across very well. The building is not very good and needs investment- which is not really acceptable considered the fees of the school.

The fees are human heavy - 8 to a class - a teacher ,a SLT and a TA in the class - sometimes 2 TA's.. they have onsite OT, physio and Art therapy etc all built into the day.
The classes are streamed too so the more academically able are able to work at the right pace

Original poster
MaristellaAlp · 14/03/2026 22:53

Thank you for your comment.
On balance, I was much more impressed by Abingdon House School.

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