Secondary School Options London EHCP and HF ASD

[Popkids]

Our DS has ASD and is currently in a mainstream primary with an EHCP and full time 1:1. He's 9 and we are thinking about our secondary school options. He's bright but struggles with anxiety and focus. He should be capable of GCSEs but will need support and a calm environment with staff who "get" him.

We're in South East London in a Harris monopoly which have a terrible local rep for SEND but LA options in asd units seem to be attached to larger schools which I think would be an issue for him.

More House Farnham looks perfect but I'm not sure how travel would work from South East London?

NAS Vanguard looks good too and is nearer but I've heard mixed reviews of NAS schools.

We could move for the right school (DH is keen on Holmewood in N London) but would it be feasible to move with an EHCP and continue DS's provision?

Anyone been through something similar? Any advice?

1hr15 is considered reasonable travel time for secondary, although many travel further.

I think NAS schools vary, some good, some not so good.

Are any of the neighbouring LA's ASD ARPs in smaller schools? If you think DS would cope in a smaller MS are there any supportive MS independents within travelling distance?

There's also Unsted Park, but you may have be same travelling problem as More House.

If you move LA with an EHCP the new LA can review, amend or even cease to maintain the EHCP, so always a risk, but may be worth it for the right school.

Thanks @10brokengreenbottles
There are a couple of smaller schools in neighbouring LAs but they are mainly undersubscribed and have issues with behaviour. Primary has been ok but we've had to fill in the gaps a fair bit academically. It would be great to find a smaller school with good ASD knowledge, OT/SALT provision and high academic aspirations re: GCSEs and A-Levels. It's such a gap in provision here. I'll keep looking but any suggestions welcome! I'd like to start going to open days so we can draw up a shortlist and think about moving if necessary

Other than Unsted Park which may have the same travel problems as More House I don't have any additional suggestion near you.

However, if you are willing to move away from London or consider boarding look at some other Priory schools, Breckenbrough in N Yorks (heard brilliant things) and Alderwasley Hall, Notts.

There's also Egerton Rothesay in Herts. They don't offer A levels but do offer several GCSEs. LVS Oxford and Swalcliffe Park in Oxfordshire - former offers GCSE and A levels, latter doesn't offer A levels or as many GCSEs.

In the same trust as Holmewood is Gretton in Cambs, although I have heard mixed reviews - parents love it or hate it.

My DS has been awarded a place in an ASD unit attached to a large mainstream secondary in SE London, starting in Sept. There are only around 4-6 children in each year group so if I name it, it will be pretty outing!

Like your DS, mine is bright but suffers from terrible disabling anxiety. We had to choose his placement without being able to visit anywhere due to COVID. I am obviously concerned about how he's going to cope but we're going to give it a go.
My DS is capable of taking some GSCEs and in the unit he will be allowed to take fewer and he'll have fulltime 1 to 2 support. All the support staff in the unit are educated to degree level which I thought was promising in terms of the level of support they will be able to give.

My understanding is that my DS will be spending as much time in the mainstream classes as he can cope with - and always fully supported. Some subjects he will be able to opt out of if he finds them too challenging but being in a MS school, he will have access to all the options that some of the smaller specialist schools can't offer.

As you say, it's extremely hard to find the right placement to balance out the academic aspirations with the small/nurturing environments our children need.

I would recommend visiting or at least speaking to the Sencos of the MS schools near you with units. If only to definitely rule them out.

A friend of mine recently won a tribunal for her ASD DS to attend a boarding school around 300 miles from where they live so anything is possible. I will say that they spent quite a bit of money on securing really good independent reports though.

If you're interested, DM me after September and I will let you know how it's been going with my DS.

Thanks again @10brokengreenbottles. We'll go and look at the units nearby but it will be good to add your indie suggestions to our shortlist. We have time to look at a range of options and a half decent plan to show SENCOs so finger crossed we can get a feel for our options.

Hope the move to secondary goes well @Toomanyminifigs. I'll definitely PM you in autumn to see how your DS is getting on.

Thank you both for your replies!

@popkids in similar position but not got EHCp yet though however looking around - have you considered fairley house in Pimlico?
Frewen house school - looking into that too

Hi, We are in SE London. My DS had 1:1 in primary and is at Langley Boys, Beckenham which has a unit. He is doing extremely well there ( has had his moments) but he is achieving far more than I thought was possible.

Sorry just picked up your comments. I'm hoping to view Fairley House @Namechange600 as I've heard good things.

Good to hear about Langley boys as it's a straight forward journey for us. I only just learned that they had an ASD unit. Can you tell me a bit more about it @MrsPatterson2014? How many boys in the unit? Do they get much OT/SALT input? What type of academic level do they admit?

If SALT and OT are specified and quantified in section F, as they should be, they must be provided regardless of what the placement say they 'normally' provide.

@Popkids have PM'd you

Thanks @MrsPatterson2014!

The EHCP is specific and quantified (via tribunal) but current school whilst lovely aren't great at consistently following through with e.g. sensory circuits this means I spend a lot of time reminding them about the SALT and OT programmes. I'm hoping the next school will be more on the ball re: ASD in addition to regular LA therapist input.

If the EHCP isn't being followed complain, both to the school and LA since it is them with ultimate responsibility for ensuring the provision is provided. If the problem persists threaten Judicial Review, this usually makes the LA listen.

I am currently is same position my son is also 9 and although waiting for assessment he already had echp and full 1:1.
The sen I at school said we will be sitting down few month from now and applying for secondary schools. Apparently echp children can apply 7 month earlier then the rest.
I have called few schools and even if not in the borough due to echp can be applied anywhere in London.
My worry is the travelling as I don't drive.
Tufnell Park has a mainstream school with autism based unit if that helps at all? Heard good things about it

Blossom House?

If your son has an EHCP, the LA must produce an amended EHCP by 15th February in his last year at primary school naming the secondary school. That means in practical terms that they need to have an annual review in the autumn term and begin consulting about schools around then.

@Toomanyminifigs how is it going with your ds? My ds is in year 9, has developed crippling anxiety and has not been able to attend school at all this term. We just had a review of his ehcp and LA agree to a special school. We love the idea of Gretton. What's it like?

Hey @MackenCheese, my DS isn't at Gretton. He's in a resourced based unit at a mainstream. Sorry I can't help. Good luck with finding the right school for your DS.

Thanks for replying, I really appreciate that! Best wishes