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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

Egerton Rothsday, Berkhampstead

14 replies

Skylar123 · 29/04/2014 09:06

I'm looking to hear from parents who have children at this school, good or bad experiences.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
JokersGiggle · 01/05/2014 22:30

My friend has an autistic son there. The other day she said "how did we cope before xxxxx was at the wonder school?"
She was told he was"unteachable"....he's predicted Bs in 3 A levels. And he's learnt invaluable life skills.

Original poster
Skylar123 · 02/05/2014 10:10

Thanks jokers that's good to hear I really like the sound of it but I am yet to look round and fight for a place
I'm pleased to her your friends Ds is doing well Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Skylar123 · 02/05/2014 10:11

Ps do you know if your friends Ds has a statement and secured the place through the LA or does she pay
Thanks

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JokersGiggle · 02/05/2014 10:17

He has a statement but my friends son wants to stay another year and do some more a levels as he doesn't feel ready to leave yet, the school is supporting him but they will need to pay if he does the extra year. So basically having a year 14 with just him in but doing year 13 work.

Original poster
Skylar123 · 02/05/2014 10:50

Ok thanks jokers, I hope it all works out.
Thanks for your info. I know I'm going to fall in love with it and fight till I'm broke with LA to get him there

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JokersGiggle · 02/05/2014 11:18

The school are great and help you access scholarships/grants ect so if you really love it they will help you. Good luck x

Jasmyne32 · 05/05/2014 11:48

I have a son at Egerton Rothesay (ERS). He's been there a year having moved from a competitive prep school. He's currently in the juniors and has very poor concentration and working memory, linked to Dyspraxia/Sensory issues. He is a changed boy, confident, happy and willing to learn. We've seen a general improvement all round and in particular his confidence with Maths has grown hugely. My son doesn't have an extra learning support or 1:1's as all his needs are met in the very small class he is in which is around 6-8 students.

My son doesn't have a statement but I do know the school is very supportive to other parents who's children do have statements and they help hugely with the annual review process, tribunals etc. The Head SenCo is fantastic.

Feedback I've heard from parents who's children do need additional support with 1:1's and perhaps things like social communication have all been good.

I have had a couple of niggly issues with the school but very minor and have been related to feedback on my son. I haven't found parents evening terrible informative and other than homework I haven't had site of his classwork. I have raised these issues with the Head and am currently waiting for a response. I'm not terribly worried about it because I can see the improvement and progress my son has made at home.

All in all we're all in a much happier, stress free place compared to where we were a year ago!

HTH and good luck x

Original poster
Skylar123 · 06/05/2014 15:13

Thank you for this information jasmyne. I'm
Not sure it's even a possibility yet but def sounds well worth an open day visit.

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Original poster
Skylar123 · 09/05/2014 19:29

jokers sorry to be nosey. Can I ask did your friends son get a place at ERS as it was the named school on his statement. Did they have to exhaust all other avenues first, such as recommended LA mainstream or special acho? Thx

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Original poster
Skylar123 · 09/05/2014 19:31

I went to look today I loved it. I just can't afford it. I'm considering my options at trying to get LA to fund a place but as I'm I'm herts who are dia for funding anything standard I think it will be an extremely tough call.

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JokersGiggle · 09/05/2014 20:22

Actually LA tried to send him to a local failing college. His mum had to fight tooth and nail to get LA to pay his fees for ER. The school was excellent in supporting them. Attended meetings with the parents and the LA and threatened to being legal action against the LA if they didn't pay the costs to send him to their school, claiming "abandonment of duty" if they sent him to the college that wouldn't meet his needs.
Really are a wonderful school!

Original poster
Skylar123 · 09/05/2014 20:56

what year did he start ERS in? I asked ERS about getting LA to name them as school for Ds and the chances and they said extremely difficult. However I will take that as not impossible. Your friend did well and it's great to hear the school assisted so well. I really did pick up the feeling there care about their kids.
Our LA won't name a failing school as an alternative but a good sch that Ds is currently at but is failing to support his needs despite putting in lots of interventions.
Thanks for your help.
Fingers crossed my lottery numbers come up this weekend x

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JokersGiggle · 09/05/2014 23:01

she managed to get him in on the second term of year 12 (first term was spent still fighting for the place!)
It wasn't easy - the fight to get the LA to fund his place took almost a year and would have gone on for longer if ER hasn't stepped in with legal "prompts"
It can be done but prepare for a war rather than a fight.
the school offered him a place in the first term of yr 12 but the parents would have need to pay but said they would then help the family recover the school fees from LA once they'd got him the funded place. That way he wouldn't of had to wait but they couldn't afford even a terms fee so had to wait.
Hope that makes sense.

Original poster
Skylar123 · 10/05/2014 12:50

It makes sense thank you.

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