Independent specialist secondary schools for autistic son in south west London

[CaramelCookie123]

Hi everyone,
I would appreciate some advice and recommendations please. I'm looking for an independant specialist school for my son who is currently in Year 5. He is quite academic and bright but needs support in some subjects especially in English, and has speech delay and needs a lot of help in speech and language. He is currently in a mainstream primary school and doing well with support, but I am not sure if he will manage in a state secondary school especially socially, hence I am considering an independant specialist school. It's difficult to know whether he will fit in an independent school with SEN support. Does anyone know of some good independant specialist schools in the south west London area?

Is there a reason you aren't considering a mainstream school with an inclusion base / resourced provision? What does his EHCP say?

https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/special-educational-needs

A very useful resource in finding good schools both SEND & mainstream.

My main concerns with mainstream schools is that they large with nearly 1500 pupils, so I worry about the social aspect and whether he will be able to make friends, and also I worry about bullying. Secondly I am not sure if SEN support will be adequate, as we have had several years of mainstream primary school now with SEN support, althought they are adequate, we have had to work hard to make sure he gets these provisions despite these being included in his EHCP.

If he’s doing ok academically it’s worth keeping him in mainstream. Even the specialist settings who say they are academic are only aiming for 5 GCSEs - actually usually 4. It’s very low aspiration. Give him a chance before you opt out. You see the worst stories on here but many ND people prefer the clear timetable structure of secondary to primary and do well.

Have you looked at Canbury in Kingston? I know someone whose son went to a mainstream state primary, then to Canbury and then back to mainstream state for sixth form. It might be worth a look if you haven't already.

I have read a bit about Canbury online from other parents, and I had the impression that children who attend there have high higher needs. Do you know if that is the case?

Kingswood House? In Epsom but they have a mini bus? Or moore house in Frensham if you'd consider boarding?

I don't have direct experience with the school, but the boy I know if who went wasn't particularly high needs I would say. He functioned well in most situations, but I am not party to all the details I guess. He went back to mainstream for sixth form though.

Have a look at the Hall in Wimbledon. I’m not sure about how comprehensive their SEND provision is - you’d need to check it meets his needs but it is small, welcoming and embraces individuality.