Independent Specialist School for 4 year old/reception

[nothappytobeheretoday]

Good morning,

Can anyone recommend an independent specialist school anywhere in England that has an open reception place for a four year old in September? My child is very verbal but needs SALT & OT, most likely ADHD/ASC. High energy and loves to be outdoors/playing in water. He is very sensitive and needs lots of hugs and love to feel safe.

I can't seem to find anywhere appropriate and I know the LA will try to say mainstream but my child is already being bullied and excluded from nursery.

Thank you very much.

You can search for schools here.

It depends on what type of school you need. You could look at Alderwasley Hall, West Kirby, Wilds Lodge, some of Aspris’ schools.

Does DS already have an EHCP? If so, it should have been amended by 15th February.

@FloatingBean Thank you, unfortunately all of those start at age 5. I will keep searching. It seems like the LA wants kids to fail out of mainstream first.

Every website I read has something to the effect of "we build your child's confidence and self-worth back up after years of them being crushed by mainstream education" -- what if I want to avoid that????

The LA are in breach of the 20 week deadline to issue an EHCP - we've hired a lawyer (I will probably have to sell a kidney, haha).

I couldn’t be certain, but I’m pretty sure the schools I mentioned have taken reception pupils.

If the LA are in breach of the 20 week deadline email the LA’s Director of Children’s Services threatening judicial review. If that fails contact SOSSEN for help with a pre-action letter. Unless this is what you have instructed a lawyer to do already.

Hiya, no recommendations for schools, but would suggest using IPSEA’s model letter to threaten the LA’s Director of Children’s Services that you will be pursuing JR. In my case this was enough to get them to issue the draft for my DS. Good luck.