Relocation SE England - Good Schools ASD

[Pheath]

Writing in advance of time as it's a big decision but we'll be looking to leave London and relocate somewhere in the SE at some point in the next few years.
My 7yr old son has a diagnosis of autism but is relatively mild and currently attends a mainstream school. However we feel he'll need extra support as he gets older and especially transitioning into secondary school. He has some sensory issues which make him easily distracted and although he's really bright motivation for schoolwork is low and he also has trouble planning and organising (know these are very common autistic traits).

We'd like to go somewhere maybe not much more than an hour and a half out of London as would still like access to the city, obviously a nice/ safe area with good amenities and with secondary schools specialising in HFA or a mainstream with a good autism provision. We feel he could probably sit GCSE's and even A levels with good support. We don't currently have an EHCP but will be 'fighting' for one as he gets a bit older. I also have a younger daughter so would need a good school nearby for her too.
Any suggestions would be gratefully received as honestly don't know where to start looking and feels really overwhelming. We're fairly flexible where we can go - Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Oxford, Bucks, Herts, Cambs.

Thanks for reading!

Private or state? You could look at Sackville in Hildenborough and then you could send your daughter to TGS/Weald (grammars) or Hillview (high school) in Tonbridge.

If you want an EHCP I'd avoid Sussex from what I've heard......

Yes... East Sussex is horrendous for EHCPs (possibly 2nd or 3rd worst LA in the country for them) and provision for SEND is pretty poor.

Thanks for this info. Does that mean if you gain an EHCP in London then Sussex will be difficult about you transferring it there?

Any new LA is allowed to reassess the EHCP. Take care where you move to.... I know of people who have moved LA, next door to their child's current school and the new LA moved the child! Worries me as we would be keen to move closer to my childs school but I'm not sure I dare!

Thanks sprongle. We will have to leave London at some point as we desperately need more space and can't afford a decent sized property. I just have no idea which county in the SE is a better one to live in, in terms of SEN provision and enabling a transfer of an EHCP. Currently looking at Oxfordshire or Surrey but honestly don't know.

I think Surrey is ok. I know a couple of people in Surrey both happy with provision. Surrey claim not to place in independent mainstream but will after tribunal and there are some that are suitsble/good for autistic children. There are some good special schools there too, like Limpsfield grange (LA girls), Moor House (Ind boys) that are good for Autistic children needing mainstream curriculum. No idea about Oxfordshire.

Yes I've heard of More House though seems there's a lot of competition. At least I've ruled out East Sussex now!
Does anyone know anything about Bucks or Herts?