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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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

@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.

@LyrasOmlette unfortunately my DD hated Archer!

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.

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.

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

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

Hi there are ther any Archer parents of high functioning autistic kids?, would be super grateful for your feedback about rhe school enviement, bullying, support, ect

@LyrasOmlette it might be bit late now, but please don't even think about Ashmole Academy for SEN unless you are prepared to fight right from the beginning. Be aware of promises they make and procrastination they show for giving support. SENCo does not have much say. You have to go through their manager who doesn't even pass parents' messages to SENCo many a times. Organisations supporting SEN and Autism suggest to work with schools for getting better support for your child but with Ashmole - how much ever polite you are - it does not work when it comes to curriculum support. They do not have time to help overwhelming SEN children before and after exams or on the first day of each term when SEN children can get anxious. Not much awareness about Autism and ADHD among many teachers and students there.

@Hopeforb Thanks for the intel. I had ruled them out already, mainly due to distance, but also bc I was not impressed by their response to my email as they were unwilling to engage about their provision, let alone arrange a visit outside of their normal open evening. Another "stellar" academy that clearly doesn't want to deal with SEN kids and probably sees them as a threat to their position in the league tables. Their loss.

@LyrasOmlette already you had an experience. Their primary school provision is the same. They didn't reply to my friend because her child is on SEN! Yes everything is about League tables and they are not even private schools. I had to send my child there because of very close distance, it made us feel safe. They don't care about reviews. They have dropped down from 'outstanding' to 'good'. I didn't understand how did they even get outstanding at the first place considering they do not give required support to SEN!
I wish you and your child best luck and hope they will get good support from their current set up.

Reading this with lots of interest.

DS is being assessed for ADHD and in 99% sure he has dyslexia. We are in safe catchment for Compton and I heard loads of great things about them. But we have just toured CCF and were really impressed by their SEN provision, wellbeing room, interventions etc. Whereas Compton really disappointed me in that regard, they don’t even have a comfy space for struggling children to go and decompress in. But my son is more keen on Compton. I’d love to hear some real life experiences.

my daughter who doesnt have an EHCP but is ASD went to APS and it was AWFUL. Had to move her - put her in Christ college Finchley who were so kind to her and great with SEN. HIGHLY recommend them for a simple, kind school. we are looking for ADHD son for sep secondary and considering Archer, Totteridge and christ college.

@kathyrosew would you mind sharing your experience with me either here or in private, we are considering APS for my 11 year old son with ASD and would be hugely helpful to know what provision, help they provide. On paper they sound good- an outstanding SEND department? Many thanks for your help!

Of course. You can contact me for full experience if you like?

@JustAMinutePeople I thought the lack of a dedicated space for SEN kids at the Compton was one of the biggest negatives, but after meeting with some of the SEN team I had a pretty good impression overall. However, they then told the LA they couldn't meet DC's needs when they were sent the consultation. I could have appealed but decided not to as it wasn't our first choice school. The teachers there seemed really good, though. The Heads OTOH seemed uptight and pretty fixated on things like uniform rules; the SEN team hinted that the HTs don't think a dedicated SEN space is needed and that reasonable adjustments around uniform would be hard to get.

@NataliaNN APS claimed they couldn't meet DC's needs. They never answered my emails/calls asking about provision. I've spoken with loads of APS parents; most have pretty positive experiences of how the school supported their ND child but there are also quite a few who felt the school didn't do enough. Without some personal interaction with the school, it's really hard to know if it's a good fit. I think they are trying to steer away as many SEN families as possible by ignoring them. Did you make it to the Open Evening and were you able to speak with any of the SEN team then?