Guildford nearby independent secondary school with good SEN support

Deepwhite · 2025-05-09T10:37:55+00:00

Hi everyone: We moved to UK for 2 years now, my DS is in year 6 , really struggling with academic in school, would like to change to private secondary school. He is mild ASD, the SENCO said he is not eligible for EHCP. The support in school is very limited, I think he needs to be in a smaller size class? Speech therapist support is needed I think. My DS is energetic who loves chess and sports, just a bit slow in processing. If he goes to the normal state school, i'm afraid he will classified "dumb" kids. and of course will be bully issues. I would like to know if there are any non-selective independent schools which the teachers are nurturing and with good support for SEN kids? the best is within 30 mins drive? Really appreciated if anyone can help. Thanks

xmasdealhunter · 09/05/2025 12:06

Kingswood House fits what you are looking for, you'll have to get in touch with them ASAP though because you'll have missed the application deadline for a September 2025 start, so it is dependent on whether they have a space available. Home • Kingswood House School in Epsom, Surrey

The SENCO is wrong, he absolutely is able to get an EHCP. You can request one yourself, you don't need the school to do it for you, and I definitely would (again, ASAP), so it might be ready for whatever school he goes to in September. How to apply for a SENCO plan.

Wowthesunisout · 09/05/2025 14:59

Problem you have is the majority of schools are not nurturing especially for sen kids. If you child does not fit their system / how the school works. They generally don’t want to work with you / be flexible enough to meet the child’s needs - it’s easier to off roll them from the school.

Salt you can get that outside of school - that would be easier than trying to find it within a school.

However based on what you have said and my eldest friends sound like your son. They went to King Edward’s in Witley which is a 15 min drive from Guildford / easy train link too.

I’ve never visited the place / seen inside but my child had a few friends with that description that are there. I don’t know if it will suit but maybe check it out. The fact they do private open events means that they must be low in numbers and maybe easier to get a place

Good luck

LIZS · 09/05/2025 15:06

Box Hill?

Original poster

Deepwhite · 09/05/2025 19:34

xmasdealhunter · 09/05/2025 12:06

Kingswood House fits what you are looking for, you'll have to get in touch with them ASAP though because you'll have missed the application deadline for a September 2025 start, so it is dependent on whether they have a space available. Home • Kingswood House School in Epsom, Surrey

The SENCO is wrong, he absolutely is able to get an EHCP. You can request one yourself, you don't need the school to do it for you, and I definitely would (again, ASAP), so it might be ready for whatever school he goes to in September. How to apply for a SENCO plan.

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Really appreciated.
Just wondering if you know how many kids in the class in Kingswood?
and how's the extra curriculum ?
Thanks so much!

OP posts:

user1486321186 · 09/05/2025 19:37

Kingswood House, Box Hill or Duke of Kent are probably your best options.

xmasdealhunter · 09/05/2025 20:11

Deepwhite · 09/05/2025 19:34

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Really appreciated.
Just wondering if you know how many kids in the class in Kingswood?
and how's the extra curriculum ?
Thanks so much!

Show quote history

I don't remember exactly how many, but they are small class sizes, and get smaller at GCSE. This webpage is worth a look from their website as it also has (some) of the extracurriculars listed. There are more offered in addition though that aren't listed on the website. The school also have a great SEN provision. Senior School • Kingswood House School in Epsom, Surrey.

Senior School • Kingswood House School in Epsom, Surrey

There is a philosophy at Kingswood House of educating the whole child, nurturing confidence and developing self-esteem.

https://kingswoodhouse.org/senior-school/

xmasdealhunter · 09/05/2025 20:24

Halstead St Andrews is also worth a look OP, they used to stop at year 8 but now go right up to year 11. They also have a good range of clubs and facilities, and are non selective like Kingswood House. It's worth getting in touch with both schools, seeing if they have places available and going to view them both

TheFieldOfStars · 09/05/2025 20:45

Kingswood House has been transformative for my DC. They have small classes (about 15 kids per class), and your child can go to the school's Study Centre for targeted help (lots of the kids go to the study centre so there's no stigma attached to it). It's a genuinely diverse, welcoming and friendly little school and I feel so lucky to have it in our life.

Gymly · 09/05/2025 21:02

More House Frensham?

SENCos sometimes misjudge whether a child reaches the threshold for an EHCP. If he is falling off the "flight path" I would take that as serious evidence of unmet need. Some children will be top set, 8/9 grades but still need and benefit from an EHCP.

If you have the budget for private school I would seriously consider looking into private speech therapy. It is the single most important thing my academic, "extensive vocab" child does every week.

Original poster

Deepwhite · 09/05/2025 21:24

TheFieldOfStars · 09/05/2025 20:45

Kingswood House has been transformative for my DC. They have small classes (about 15 kids per class), and your child can go to the school's Study Centre for targeted help (lots of the kids go to the study centre so there's no stigma attached to it). It's a genuinely diverse, welcoming and friendly little school and I feel so lucky to have it in our life.

Thanks for the reply!
Thats great to hear from a current parent at Kingswood.
Study center sounds great!
How's school clubs there? Just want my son try different things see where is his strength.

OP posts:

maythefirce · 09/05/2025 21:31

More house frensham is amazing. My son is there, and we are incredibly happy with the school

ProfessorFellatioHornblower · 09/05/2025 21:36

King Edwards in Witley was great for a friend's son with SEN.

Original poster

Deepwhite · 09/05/2025 21:39

Gymly · 09/05/2025 21:02

More House Frensham?

SENCos sometimes misjudge whether a child reaches the threshold for an EHCP. If he is falling off the "flight path" I would take that as serious evidence of unmet need. Some children will be top set, 8/9 grades but still need and benefit from an EHCP.

If you have the budget for private school I would seriously consider looking into private speech therapy. It is the single most important thing my academic, "extensive vocab" child does every week.

Thanks for the reply!
Actually More house is the only one in my head now, Loads of positive comments. But would like to check out see if there are other options.
I know it's small classes, Just a bit worry if they have wide range of different clubs offered by school?

Also heard good things about Frensham Heights? seems very creative and forward thinking?

yes you are right! I definitely need to get a speech therapist for my son.
At first I was hoping i will get one in the state school, but apparently is quite difficult here...2 years wasted, I really need to do something now.

Do you use the one in school ? or just hire one and they come to your home?

Thanks so much for your advice!

OP posts:

Original poster

Deepwhite · 09/05/2025 21:44

maythefirce · 09/05/2025 21:31

More house frensham is amazing. My son is there, and we are incredibly happy with the school

Hi there, do you mind if i can DM you for more details?
really appreciated

OP posts:

Original poster

Deepwhite · 09/05/2025 21:50

user1486321186 · 09/05/2025 19:37

Kingswood House, Box Hill or Duke of Kent are probably your best options.

Hi there:
Thanks for your reply!
Sorry for being lazy, do you mind telling me what are the differences between these 3 schools?
In terms of nurturing, SEN support, campus, facilities, clubs...

I"m really headache when searching more schools now....🙏

OP posts:

xmasdealhunter · 09/05/2025 21:54

Deepwhite · 09/05/2025 21:50

Hi there:
Thanks for your reply!
Sorry for being lazy, do you mind telling me what are the differences between these 3 schools?
In terms of nurturing, SEN support, campus, facilities, clubs...

I"m really headache when searching more schools now....🙏

Show quote history

Box Hill and Duke of Kent have an admissions exam for entry. All 3 schools have great facilities, Kingswood House is a much smaller school though, and has the dedicated Study centre etc. They all have a good range of clubs and extracurriculars. (Sorry, know this wasn't directed at me!)

maythefirce · 09/05/2025 21:56

Deepwhite · 09/05/2025 21:44

Hi there, do you mind if i can DM you for more details?
really appreciated

Show quote history

sure! they are an amazing school

SnowInJune · 09/05/2025 23:48

Deepwhite · 09/05/2025 21:39

Thanks for the reply!
Actually More house is the only one in my head now, Loads of positive comments. But would like to check out see if there are other options.
I know it's small classes, Just a bit worry if they have wide range of different clubs offered by school?

Also heard good things about Frensham Heights? seems very creative and forward thinking?

yes you are right! I definitely need to get a speech therapist for my son.
At first I was hoping i will get one in the state school, but apparently is quite difficult here...2 years wasted, I really need to do something now.

Do you use the one in school ? or just hire one and they come to your home?

Thanks so much for your advice!

Show quote history

Unless Frensham Heights has changed, I knew a family whose daughter with cerebral palsy was asked to leave as she didnt meet their academic standards.

How about Undershaw in Hindhead?

Gymly · 10/05/2025 08:48

SnowInJune · 09/05/2025 23:48

Unless Frensham Heights has changed, I knew a family whose daughter with cerebral palsy was asked to leave as she didnt meet their academic standards.

How about Undershaw in Hindhead?

Show quote history

I think this is a general worry with MS private schools. I've known it happen mid-GCSE study when child had a mental health crisis.

Re speech therapy, OP, we have it through school and in KS3 children will miss a lesson for it, just like they would for a music lesson, physio or Dr appt. For private I would either do after school or some schools might allow them to come in and have it there, if they have space.

maythefirce · 10/05/2025 09:58

More house has speech and language therapy as a time tabled lesson.
Our prep also arranges for a speech and language therapist to come in when needed, just like music lessons

MollyButton · 10/05/2025 10:02

Ignore the SENCO saying he won’t get a ECHP. Start to apply for one yourself via the LA.
i would also suggest reaching out to the local NAS group and getting local advice and support.

maythefirce · 10/05/2025 10:11

The SENCO might just be realistic….. surrey is notoriously bad for getting an EHCP - it will take years and a huge amount of money and stress for any child that isn’t clearly profoundly disabled . and even if, as long as you don’t get a named school on it, it won’t do much. Getting a named school is even more difficult.
Friends have a physically disabled son with ASD , thr are currently appealing as he apparently doesn’t need an EHCP…