Good MS SEN Provision in Barnet or Haringey?

[LyrasOmlette]

DS will start secondary in September and we're waiting for a decision about whether our LA will issue an EHCP. In the meantime, I'm looking at schools through the SEN lens and would love to know if anyone has had personal experience at:

Alexandra Park School
Ashmole Academy
Archer Academy
The Compton School

DS has ADHD and ASD with some SpLD. Bright but will need a really positive, nurturing environment to help him progress and grow in confidence. Am I delusional that this can be found in MS secondaries?

[Pheath]

Can't help with all of them but have only heard that Archer (though a great school for many) isn't the best with SEN support. My son has a similar diagnosis and it's a tough one as the choice in Barnet isn't great and am very worried about him going to a big MS. If you happen to be Jewish I've been told JCOSS has a great SEN team. Sorry, not a massive help.

[Lilysilrose]

JCOSS has an ARP for autism, but you would need an EHCP to access that, second the avoid Archer. Don't know about the others.

[Pheath]

I have tried to view the ARP at JCOSS and unf it doesn't seem possible. Very limited places in there too. I think the general SEN provision in the main school is overall quite good and apparently a high number of ASD/ quirky kids. I asked a Barnet professional who assessed my son for school recommendations in the area and she rated JCOSS the best. Only thing is it's a long journey.

[LyrasOmlette]

Thanks. I've heard some good things about jcoss but not from anyone with direct experience, so it's hard to know. I'm also not sure if DS needs something like the arp or if he'll be able to cope in MS with the right support in place.

Good to know about the Archer. I had some weird vibes from the head when I went to the open evening a few years ago but that was before SEN was part of the picture.

I asked to speak with the SEN team at Ashmole but they said they don't talk to families until a place has been accepted, which isn't exactly helpful with planning and evaluating schools but I guess they get a lot of queries.

Haven't tried APS or TCS yet.

[Pheath]

East Barnet school might be worth a look at too, think they're more open to tours of their SEN provision and have a good amount of info on their website so feel they're more open.
Agree Ashmole sounds v unhelpful. How can you decide without viewing!

[Lilysilrose]

Yes. East Barnet has a very good reputation for SEN. Does your child have an EHCP yet?

[SaltBlossom]

APS are trying to move away from their 'good with SEN' reputation I think.
I have heard good things about Christ College for SEN, a friend just moved her autistic child there and thinks it's great.

Why avoid Archer? I'm actually touring it tomorrow with the senco.

[SaltBlossom]

Have you thought about The Totteridge Academy? Good pastoral care, farm on site, they go to equine therapy just up the road.

[LyrasOmlette]

@SaltBlossom I have thought about Totteridge Academy but it's a little far and our older child is at another school in the opposite direction, so it would make our mornings a nightmare given how little public transport runs to TTA. But I think DS would love the setting.

CCF might be a little easier in terms of school run/transport. I thought it seemed like a nice school at the open evening but DS didn't like it that much.

How did the Archer tour go?

@Pheath @Lilysilrose East Barnet might be worth getting in touch with. I heard they have a therapy dog, which DS would love. 😊 Also not great in terms of transport for us but jcoss would also be tricky.

[SaltBlossom]

@LyrasOmlette unfortunately my DD hated Archer!

[Pheath]

Curious, why did he hate Archer? Half our school, those with NT kids are clamouring for a place there. Have heard however their pastoral care is pretty poor.

[SaltBlossom]

She gets feelings about schools which she can't always explain!
However, whilst we were waiting (11am ish) there was a pupil sitting in reception looking very glum. A teacher came out for him and said "shall we go in?" and he replied "well I don't have any choice do I, you're forcing me" which won't have helped.
We also went in their lift which freaked her out! She also didn't like the one way signs everywhere. It's possible that she won't be able to attend any mainstream secondary.

[Pheath]

What did you think of Archer SaltBlossom? It's hard to turnaround that feeling when there's an instant dislike.

[SaltBlossom]

I like it, I think my son would fit in but he is a totally different profile and doing ok at his current school.