Recommendations and advice re SEN schools London

[Freshstarts22]

Does anyone know of any schools in London tbat are good for children with ASD and ADHD who can display challenging behaviour and really struggles with school.

I’m looking for secondary schools.

currently in a SEMH primary after being forced out of mainstream. I don’t think it’s the right school for him as there seems to be a lack of understanding of ASD. Because his Autism is not ‘obvious’ it’s easy to presume he’s just badly behaved and the causes are being overlooked.

Ive looked online at Holmewood, leaways and centre academy. We’re in central London which means all of them are quite a distance away because of traffic. There are none in our borough that I think are suitable. I don’t know what’s an acceptable distance.

At primary up to 45 mins travel time is considered reasonable, 1hr15 at secondary, but many do travel further.

You can search for schools here. Have you looked at the other Cavendish schools in London? And NAS’s schools.

Hi, I have experience of Centre Academy, please dm me if you would like any info

@Merrythoughts7 sent, thank you.

There’s absolutely no way my child could handle a 45 minute commute. I also have to think about travel. He couldn’t handle the bus for that long with all the noise ect of other kids, absolutely refuses to get a taxi and going forward, when older will probably want the independence of travelling alone.

None of the cavendish schools are really close enough unfortunately.

This is the hardest decision I think I’ve ever had to make for him. I’m dreading it.

If DC wouldn’t cope with other DC on transport the LA would have to provide individual transport.

Do you have evidence DC can’t travel far? This may be important if you end up having to appeal for a closer school that is more expensive/independent as normally 45 mins for a secondary pupil would be considered well within the reasonable time.

Lastly I would say don’t rule out schools further away, many parents think their DC won’t cope with transport/travelling but once settled their DC does.

He won’t go on individual transport. I have no idea why, he just won’t. He currently goes on a bus but he’s only on it for 5 mins. I just don’t think he’d cope with more than about 30mins.
Unfortunately there are no specialist schools in my borough that I would send him to though so I’m going to have to find a compromise.

www.nightingaleca.org/about_us/

this might be too far from you, also.
I have experience of working with some of the children who attend this school. I am not a teacher there.
Their behavior is very challenging when they are all in a class together. I would say that asking for your child to be accepted into a school like this is a last resort. These children have been excluded from mainstream education. Some are excluded from their classes at this school also.

Good luck, I hope you manage to help your child.

Nightingale is a SEMH school, unlikely to be suitable if OP wants an ASD specialist school.

Hoping to reignite this. I really don’t know if an ASD specialist is suitable. He is high functioning in terms of communication and socially (with his peers at least). But a lot of schools that are for HF children don’t take children with challenging behaviour, and he also has that. He struggles to access the curriculum too because of anxiety.
I do think a lot of the challenging behaviour would be eliminated in the correct setting though.
My gut tells me I don’t want SEMH again. It doesn’t seem right for him and I worry about peer group.

Would he wear ear defenders on the bus/tube? My DC hated getting on transport and I was frustrated about never being able to go anywhere. Ear defenders have made a huge difference and we've had some really nice days out since getting them. My DC are 10 and 12. The 12yo won't wear them at school but doesn't mind being out in public with them on.

Sorry I can't comment on specific schools that are good for ASC/ADHD. We're struggling with ours.

I drive so it’s not a major issue, but I can’t drive him to school especially if he does to one further away for secondary and he can’t travel alone.
He’s not to bad with buses but hates the tube, we use it rarely but he does also use ear defenders for that.

Hi could i find out your thoughts too please? I have a meeting with them next week.

Hi I know this is a bit of a old post but did you find a school?

Hi. Yes i went ahead with CAL (Centre Acadmey London). My son has been there 2 years now and has never been happier. He is making strides academically and most importantly, finally has friends.

Thank you for your reply. Is this a fully SEN school?

Yes it is. Completely specialised setting. They have a website.

I’m banging my head my head looking for a right school for my child who is in year 5 atm. My child attends a base with a mainstream school. I really want to try my child in a full mainstream with a really good SEN sector but I am really struggling. I have two other children both in different secondary schools at the moment and maybe only one of them two secondary so far maybe a fit for my child. This is so hard

Hi ,does anyone have recommendations for mainstream schools in or around London with good SEN support ? Also, when do you think is the right time to start looking if you’re considering changing schools for your child?

Depends what part of London..