Full boarding ASD secondary school for DS

[Cheesenchocolate]

Can anyone recommend a full boarding secondary school for DS - ASD, ADHD, MLD, dyspraxia, some challenging behaviours but not violent. He’s been described as HF but he’d be unlikely to suit a school where the majority were average/above average academically. He’s verbal so we’d prefer most of his classmates to be verbal. Looking at South East and South West, or the Midlands.

Maybe something like Grateley House or Southlands? I take it he has an EHCP?

Take a look at Swalcliffe Park School near Banbury, Oxfordshire. Www.swalcliffepark.co.uk. My son is a boarder there and it’s brilliant (I’m also a governor, just for the record). Boys 11-19, about half are day boys, half are boarders, all ASD, academic, calm environment, great at developing social and life skills. OFSTED outstanding and Advanced Autism Accreditation from the National Autistic Society. The school is a non-maintained special school and a charity. You can only get a place through local authority placement and with an EHCP (ie it’s not a private school). It’s quite an intensive process but in our case worth all the struggle.

Sorry - I’ve just re-read your message and seen you weren’t looking for academic. Swalcliffe is fairly academic with most boys doing either functional skills or GCSEs and some going on to A levels and BTEc. Hopefully my post may help someone others parents though. Good luck in finding somewhere suitable.

Thanks for your replies. Yes he has an EHCP. Will check out the schools mentioned.

I've heard good reports about Alderwasley Hall School in Derbyshire.