Small nuturing independent schools accommodating of SEN - rocking horse shit?

[nanbread]

Looking for small class sizes, v accommodating and knowledgeable about SEN, yet mainstream schools going up to end of secondary, that don't cost the earth and are in the south of England but not near London (ideally wilts/gloucs)... I think it's rare and may not exist, please prove me wrong!

Also looking....

Was hopeful that Bredon may take my dd (dyspraxic, adhd, pda traits, severe anxiety) but its looking like they don't think it's the right fit.

Edward Jennar in Gloucester may be an option.

Westonbirt take mild SEN I believe.

@PutYourBackIntoit

Also looking....

Was hopeful that Bredon may take my dd (dyspraxic, adhd, pda traits, severe anxiety) but its looking like they don't think it's the right fit.

Edward Jennar in Gloucester may be an option.

Westonbirt take mild SEN I believe.

Thanks for replying. One of my children is only 6 so it's hard to know how he will progress as the work gets harder and more rigid. Does your dd display PDA traits at school?

My son has traits but I think it's actually ODD / demand avoidance, rather than pathological, as he is able to follow some demands.

She doesn't, no. Until she stopped going altogether, the schools didn't believe there was anything neurodiverse about her at all. She is extremely well behaved, a hard worker. I'm sure she'd be absolutely fine at Bredon and thrive.

Do you have a diagnosis or ehcp in place?
Are you looking for just your 6 year old or another child too?

I'm ideally looking for somewhere that will take all 3 of mine, but it's looking almost impossible to find even one solution for my 13 Yr old so I doubt very much we'll find one place for them all.

Have an older DC too also neurodivergent, no EHCP (yet!) and no diagnosis... What was the issue with Bredon?

They just said she doesn't fit their profile.

I'd rather know the truth than send her to the wrong school, but I do kind of feel if she won't fit in there, where would she?

There seems to be a real shortage of schools catering to children with "mild" SEN or academically capable but autistic etc.

Bruton School for Girls is amazing for neurodivergent girls like mine, but looks like the OP has a boy.

They have a sensory room, have had training on PDA and ASD, work with SALT and OT if needed and have, I guess, around 6 girls with EHCPs, not all Autistic. The senior boarding staff have lots of experience with Autistic girls and some of the boarders are autistic. Weekly/flexi options.

@sprongle1 I'll have a look at Bruton, Thank you.

Do you have a dd there?

[quote PutYourBackIntoit]@sprongle1 I'll have a look at Bruton, Thank you.

Do you have a dd there?[/quote]
Yes - happy to pm if you'd like more info

Sounds good but yes I have a boy... Lots of really good performing / nurturing all girl's schools I've found but not many co ed

Has he got an EHCP? If not, and needs this sort of school, I'd send an application yourself if school not keen. That would open up schools such as The Levels in Somerset, and probably some closer to home.

It is still worth researching SEN schools as some of the independent ones could be well worth looking at.

If you are prepared to look at small mainstream boarding maybe Milton Abbey in Dorset? or The Royal School in Haslemere? Both small with some neurodiverse children.

Thank you - no EHCP so far and tbh think it would be a massive challenge to get a non mainstream school named as he's seemingly "coping" (and I can't get a private or otherwise Ed Psych assessment for love nor money to prove needs).

Interestingly I got an advert on here just now for Slindon College - again would have to be boarding but is that middle ground between specialist and mainstream ie a specialist environment offering a mainstream currciculum. Similar I think to More House in Farnham.
Again you'd have to board there - both all boys.

If dyslexic you could look at Appleford in Andover, has neurodiverse children but not specially for neurodiverse children. or check the CRESTED list of schools.

Clayesmore, nr Blandford is on that list but has turned down a few neurodiverse children with EHCPs - seems to be happy enough to take them without though!

@nanbread

Just in case you’re still looking…

King’s Bruton - co-ed in Bruton.
Subject specific trained teachers in learning support - not just English.
Small school c350.
Mix of academic qualifications available eg B-Tecs, GCSEs
On the crested list.

Millfield - co-ed.
Much larger but again, v good learning support dept.

Don't know anything about the school except that it is near me in Wiltshire near Salisbury. It's a day school/boarding school for 8-18 years.

www.applefordschool.org/

Have you looked at Wotton House International School in Gloucester? We loved it! But don’t think DS would cope with a house move

@CatBat76 I just want to say Thank you! After your recommendation of Wooton House school, I've looked into it and I think it will give my 13 Yr old another potential option. I work at the hospital on the same road, so it may be ideal (if they accept her!) Bredon turned her down as they say they can't deal with anxiety and others have been poor at getting back to me which doesn't feel great.

I’m so glad for you; and how funny that you work on the same road! Have you been to look round and meet them? We loved Sophie and all the staff we met. I also think it’s wonderful that they offer a full taster week so children can really get a feel of the school

We haven't seen it yet, no. I saw your message on this thread today and thought 'hang on! Is that the language school I drive past every day?' 😆

I sent the enquiry today, and Sophie replied to me a few hours after. Hopefully we'll go and see it on Wednesday.
My 7 Yr old is showing similar anxieties around learning that my eldest had at that age so I'll condsider it for her too.

My son is sporty and confidently academic. He wants to sit the 11+. It will be interesting to see if they could possibly meet the needs of all three of them as it would be lovely (and logistically so much easier 😉) to have them all at the same school.

Are you still looking for a school for your son?

I'm a righmove addict, so if you do decide to relocate to Gloucs, let me know, I know sll the properties 😊

Hi everyone. Do you mind if I asked where you all ended up? I am in the same position and desperate to make a plan for my son!!

@PutYourBackIntoit Can I ask if you Wotton House was something that you pursued and whether it proved a success? My son has recently started saying he would like to go there and is up for a move (almost 2 years later!)

@CatBat76 yes, I will PM you

Ooh pls could you pm me too. Really keen for feedback as considering for my Asperger’s son (currently school refusing)

A school named St Wilfrid's in Exeter is amazing for catering for many different needs

@PutYourBackIntoit I've just come across this post and I am considering Wotton House for my daughter and would be relocating up there. I'd really love to know how you are getting on there if you don't mind sharing that with me? Thank you!