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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

A London Secondary School for High Functioning Autism - help!

35 replies

Hackney23 · 04/10/2023 07:39

Hi!

We're urgently trying to find the right secondary school for our DS, for Y7 entry in 2024. He has a diagnosis of autism, is currently in mainstream primary here in Hackney, with an EHCP with a high level of 1:1 support. He's done really well these past 6 years, support is being tapered off and he is now around the expected level academically.

Going into secondary, he could probably cope without 1:1 so long as there was specialist ASD support. But, he is likely to have a rough time making friends in a big academy like Mossbourne (even though it does have more specialist ASD support), while all the specialist schools seem to be for children with a much higher level of need. His brother is at Emanuel in Clapham, which doesn't really cater for this sort of SEN.

So far, the only schools anywhere we have been able to identify as a good fit are The Holmewood School up in Finchley/Muswell Hill (or More House out in Farnham, which would mean a complete life change moving out of London, taking his brother out of school in Clapham etc.)

The difficulty with schools like Abingdon House, The Courtyard, Roehampton Gate, Storemont House is that they are really geared up for kids who need a lot more support and A-levels are not an option.

So right now, The Holmewood School seems to be the only viable option... but we can't rely on that and have to put down at least one other choice by the deadline on Friday. Eek.

Any thoughts, intel, tips etc would be very very welcome!

OP posts:
YellowRosesWithRedTips · 04/10/2023 08:39

but we can't rely on that and have to put down at least one other choice by the deadline on Friday.

You don’t. The LA may want you to, but legally you only have to name your preferred placement.

However, if you do want to put another name down would weekly boarding at More House work?

Remember DC can move for sixth form, so the school doesn’t necessarily have to offer A levels.

If Holmewood is reachable, have a look at Orange Tree School. The Rise in Feltham offer GCSEs and some of their pupils go on to A levels, it is probably too far, but depending on where you live that might be just about within travelling distance. There is Wemms - parents either love it or hate it. Again, probably too far, but depending on where you live that might be just about within travelling distance.

Poodle22 · 04/10/2023 20:45

I’ve PM’d you as we were in a similar position.

YellowRosesWithRedTips · 04/10/2023 21:20

Parents either love or hate Wemms. Which the OFSTED report acknowledges - “Parents too are deeply divided in their views of the school, particularly its leadership. A broadly equal proportion of written comments expressed positive and negative opinions, with a smaller proportion expressing neutral views. Nevertheless, three quarters of parents who completed Ofsted’s online survey, Ofsted Parent View, indicated that they would recommend the school.” OFSTED reports of independent schools also has to be viewed in the context of the political situation.

Original poster
Hackney23 · 05/10/2023 07:28

Thanks so much all for the tips and thoughts.

More House boarding would in some ways be ideal educationally, but we just can't face being apart like that.

And good point about moving for 6th form, although I suppose the consideration is really about finding the right balance now with academics/nurturing and a cohort where he'll make friends and sort of be in the middle, rather being the most/least socially able...

Going to see Canbury out in Kingston tomorrow... looks like a really nice school, 15 kids in a class, one form entry... would be a house move but at least still in London

OP posts:
fedupallthisrubbish · 05/10/2023 08:28

Halliford boys school good with Sen

YellowRosesWithRedTips · 05/10/2023 09:06

Be aware if you move LAs the new LA will review the EHCP and potentially amend, reassess or even cease to maintain. However unlikely you think it is, it is a possibility you need to be aware of. Obviously, you would be able to appeal, but it adds a layer of stress.

usernamebore · 05/10/2023 14:34

If you can make it work practically, Portland Place hybrid has a lot of ASC kids in and can work well. Worth investigating, particularly if sensory issues re the secondary school environment will be a challenge. Having part of the week at home helps give time to regulate etc. Many kids also start with the hybrid, coming in one or two days a week, and then move up to full time in school after a few years once they have settled, so that is always an option too. It only goes up to GCSE, but send kids to a lot of good 6th forms, and by the time you get to that stage, what DS can manage may well have changed anyway.

fedupallthisrubbish · 10/10/2023 09:20

What did you think of Canbury?
thanks

Original poster
Hackney23 · 10/10/2023 15:25

I liked Canbury - has the atmosphere of a village school, nurturing. Kids seemed happy, relaxed and working hard. It's basically a big house in the middle of Kingston suburbia, with only 90 pupils in total, almost all of whom have a diagnosis of ASD and an EHCP. Focus on wellbeing, life skills, SALT, moderately ambitious academically... but I think kids there will make a lot of progress. Probably not quite at the level of The Holmewood School, which is 3 x the cost (although everyone there is on LA funding).

OP posts:
Pheath · 10/10/2023 18:41

There's Odyssey House School in Russell Sq also. I visited a few weeks ago and liked it but it's still very low on numbers so (I didn't see more than 20 pupils) as they've only just acquired their new building. Great location and very tailored curriculum. The Head was very confident numbers would rise soon.

Pheath · 10/10/2023 18:54

Hi Hackney
Just to follow on about Canbury as I'd not heard of it. Did you find it very nurturing and are the pupils doing GCSE and A levels? We sound in a similar position to yourself, searching for a secondary for my 9yr old autistic son whose got good potential with the right support and a tailored curriculum. And can you book an informal tour during school hours? Thanks

Original poster
Hackney23 · 11/10/2023 07:23

Thanks for the tip about Odyssey. Yeah, we did research that and location is amazing, but I think felt it seemed more focused towards kids with behaviourial problems, getting that sorted and getting them back into mainstream, rather than a focus on ASD.

And with Canbury I think yes nurturing, they do 5 or 6 GCSEs, so they have enough to make A levels / college an option. There are about 2 pupils in 6th form and they only offer two A levels, maths and history, so almost all pupils go elsewhere for 6th form....

OP posts:
Chupperchup · 25/11/2023 21:33

Have you considered city of london boys school? If your son is very academic their sen department has an excellent reputation.

YellowRosesWithRedTips · 26/11/2023 09:36

A top independent MS without any other DC with EHCPs is unlikely to be suitable for a child whose parents are looking at SS and it is unlikely they would offer a place to a child whose parents think they need an SS either.

Keeponmovin123 · 08/12/2023 09:04

I have also heard good things about Halliford although not looked at it myself. Could Kew House be an option?

I think we will be in a similar situation but relatively new diagnosis and not too sure what the future holds - for school (& life in general).

Original poster
Hackney23 · 08/12/2023 12:43

I think Kew House looks great, but is really more for kids with only very moderate SEN

OP posts:
Tw1mum · 14/12/2023 13:10

A friend with a son who has autism moved him from Kew college to Hampton court house and he’s now thriving.

Fabian1967 · 01/02/2024 19:22

Can anyone recommend a good mainstream Secondary state school in South West London (Wandsworth area) with a good SEN provision ? My son is 10 and has Tourette’s (ticks but no swearing). He is ’high functioning autistic’. He is a sweet boy and able to manage academically, but me and my wife fear that he will be ripped apart at a large secondary state school. Ideally he needs a smaller school with a caring ethos, but we cannot afford a private school. We would like a mainstream school environment as he does not have high support needs. He just needs a caring environment. Any advice you can give will be gratefully received. Thanks. Fabian

TheZingyPinkExpert · 07/05/2024 14:20

@Hackney23 did you end up sending your son to Holmewood and if so- what do you think? Looking for similar - also live in Hackney

Original poster
Hackney23 · 07/05/2024 14:26

@TheZingyPinkExpert hey there. yes, went went for The Holmewood School, got in, Hackney agreed, transport sorted, so crossing fingers it all works out when he actually starts in Sept. We did also do the assessment for Canbury in Kingston, but they felt he needed a smaller staff / pupil ratio... so basically it seems that Holmewood is the only school in London that is actually suitable, so feeling very lucky so far we managed to get in and that Hackney agree...

OP posts:
TheZingyPinkExpert · 07/05/2024 14:31

@Hackney23 i just sent you a PM

kscb · 24/09/2024 14:24

Hello all, we've just moved back from the US to Hackney and have a 16 year old ASD, ADHD, dygraphia and anxiety. He had an IEP in the US but we are at very beginning process of EHCP here. We are trying to find schools for this year, and believe he is ready for 'A' levels, though difficult to prove he has GCSE equivalent given he hadn't completed high school in US (we are working with equivalence agency on this). Any updated thoughts on the thread above would be extremely appreciated. I have PM'd you Hackney23 also. Thanks all!

YellowRosesWithRedTips · 24/09/2024 14:55

@kscb you would be better starting your own thread. Did DS turn 16 on or before 31st August or since?

kscb · 24/09/2024 16:18

@YellowRosesWithRedTips Thanks. Yes, I'll do that. He turned 16 before August 31st this year.