Recommendations/suggestions any ASC college please East Sussex/Kent/West Sussex

[Weaverlinks]

Son out of school 4 years following autistic burnout and breakdown at 13. Trying to find something for education 17 this month. Currently got Court Tribunal case end September as appealing rubbish it contains. Struggling to find something to fit. It’s either a “too special” school or mainstream and he’s in the middle (would have been called Aspergers). Any ideas appreciated. Currently looking at EOTAS in desperation. Thank you

By their very nature ASD colleges are specialist provision so if you don’t want somewhere that is specialist provision I don’t think you are going to find anywhere. If you can expand on why the ones you have looked at aren’t suitable someone may be able to suggest somewhere else.

It’s not a college, but have you considered West Heath? They take until 20 and offer a mix of provision at their SS and at MS colleges/sixth forms.

Thank you for your reply. I probably didn’t explain well. We just visited somewhere and the students had multiple needs. We have a problem with ability to travel too. Will look at west heath thank you.

If you are willing to look at boarding you could look at some of Aspris (in particular Farleigh FE college and Unsted Park school - depending on where you are the latter might even be able to be a day placement), Cambian (Cambian Wing college is the most academic of their colleges and some of their schools take until 19 are more academic) and Aurora’s schools and colleges.

NAS’s Helen Allison in Kent take up to 19 too.

Pupils in specialist provision are going to have more complex needs though, often with comorbidities.

Have you considered Kings Brighton?

Don't know it well but its a tutorial college rather than a school and he might be able to do 1 year GCSE course or A levels. Classes of 4 to 10. Suits children who have been home educated or need to repeat GCSEs or A levels after not having done well in school.

Thank you will look.

Have you looked at Moor House School and College in Oxted, Surrey? They provide education for students with a primary DLD (developmental language disorder) diagnosis but many have ASC too.

Have you had a look at your local UTC? There is one in Dartford and one in Portsmouth. If your son is interested in STEM they take kids from year 10 upwards . They are mainstream and my DS with ASD (who has missed this academic year of school) will be starting one in September. Our tribunal is also still live until October. We have been round the houses with consulting specialist schools, including Cambian and More House. Just couldn't get the fit right as you say, because he is too able for a special school, most SS are full, and he would have hated it not being in mainstream. Having him home this past year I know I would not cope with EOTAS! Sorry you're struggling - pm me if you wish. Good luck!

Northease Manor?

@Weaverlinks Try St Dominic's in Surrey. The sixth form is boarding and they are supported either at Guildford college or at Merrist Wood by St Dom's staff and also all therapies continue as does life skills training. My son did well and now lives independently, has a full time job and drives.