London High School Recommendations - No / Relaxed Uniform - High Masking Autistic Teen

[PerkyHiker]

Looking for high school recommendations in London for a highly masking autistic girl - preferably with no / relaxed uniform. She is currently in Y9 and online school but she is determined to go back to mainstream school - despite having struggled in two different schools (one big community school / one small independent school) with social anxiety and burnout.

We would prefer she stays at online school - where we know she is safe - but her therapist seems to suggest it could be a great idea. She is also has an EHCP in place but no named school.

List so far of non-uniform schools

• Fortismere - Muswell Hill
• Camden School for Girls
• Acland Burghley School
• Parliament Hill School

Relaxed uniform

• QPCS (Queen’s Park - closest to us but probably last choice on the list).

Academically capable and also super creative (arts is one of her favourite subjects alongside history but not drama or music ).

It seems that it is everything else around schools that she struggles with - so not entirely sure why she would want to throw herself back in there - although I suspect she is missing the routine, normality and social aspect despite having many friends.

Happy to take recommendations of any schools that can support high masking autistic pupils.

Aren't a lot of those schools heavily oversubscribed?

All sympathy for your DD, but she doesn't get to just choose which one she wants and magically get a place, that's not how it works.

She has an EHCP so if they can have the school they want named in this, that is pretty much exactly what happens surely?

I have no personal experience of any of these schools, but a friend's teen with autism was very happy at Acland Burghley.

I also have a friend whose teen daughter with autism was at Acland Burghley and did well and felt supported despite earlier missing some school after feeling let down by another school. Mum felt she could have done even better but overall it was pretty positive and she’s now really comfortable in college

With an EHCP that is exactly how it works 🙄

I would go and look at Parli Hill and Acland Burghley from that list and see what you both think.

Prioritise talking to SEND on your visit and see what feel you get.

An EHCP makes a difference and is a priority for admission.

@SteelyEyed
Yes, I am aware some of these are well over subscribed. We also told her that Camden School for Girls is probably not a realist choice with that regards. At the moment I am just trying to put together a list of schools that might suitable and where she could thrive.

@Mediumred @MonGrainDeSel @OhCrumbsWhereNow interesting about Acland Burghley & Parli Hill. I’ve read some good things about these & GCSE options at Acland are great. Parli Hill seems quite nurturing. Certainly worth both a visit.

My DD seem quite keen on Fortismere - GCSEs options are great but seem a bit of stretch from where we are …

At least it gives us some options to look into… there’s probably other schools we haven’t yet condidered.

Out of those choices, I would go with Parli.

Although, I would be concerned a mainstream school would be too much for DD and the potential effect on DD if a third placement broke down. It is worth digging to see why DD wants to return to mainstream. If it is F2F interaction, that is something that could be facilitated otherwise than at/in school via the EHCP.

Yes this is exactly our concerns ...

I wouldn’t go for Camden School for Girls. I remember the head implying that they didn’t have the resources to support SEND kids when we viewed. That was a few years ago now though. Hornsey School for Girls has a relaxed uniform and I know a few girls with autism who have been happy there

Are you considering state schools only? If private, Queen’s Gate has no uniform, very strong art department with many girls going on to art schools and is a very nurturing school.

King Alfred or Hampstead Fine Arts?

I know kids (several with SEN) currently in all of those schools, including my own, and would suggest you visit Burghley and Parli from that list.

Some friend’s kids are at Fortismere in Y9, they absolutely love it and are the sweetest. I would highly recommend it. Sadly, we live too far away to get in, but my kids were desperate to go. GCSE choices are amazing, and if she’s keen, I think it could definitely be the place for her.

Yes she does with an EHCP you name your school and they can’t turn you away unless they can prove the young person will hinder the education of the cohort. It is very difficult to prove.

Following with interest (no advice I’m afraid, just solidarity) as our situation sounds v similar although we’re in SW London and DD is in Y8. Online school has provided an invaluable reset but she’s ready to go back to a suitably supportive in-person school now. She’s got a place at a small independent from Sept; battle now on with LA to see if they’ll fund it as likewise no school currently named in EHCP…