Help with schools similar to Odyssey House school in Wokingham

[Thomo1976]

Looking for advice as my son has just been offered a place at Odyssey House school in Wokingham following 3 discovery days. Unfortunately his SEN caseworker has just been in touch to say that they can’t agree to the schools T&C’s as they require payment in advance for the term and Hampshire don’t do that. Me and my husband are beside ourselves as this was the last school having consulted with 15 other schools who are unable to meet or were unsuitable. My 11yr old is going to be so upset as he was so looking forward to joining Sept 2025. He needs a small school with small classes and low demand due to his fear and anxiety of school due to trauma from mainstream. Can anyone recommend other schools that are holistic in their approach please. We are in Farnborough, Hampshire. Anything within 40mins. I’m lost for words.

You can appeal. They can agree to the T&Cs. They just don’t want to.

Of the other 15 schools consulted, is it your opinion they are unable to meet needs/unsuitable or is that just what the school has said but you think they would be suitable? Because if it is the latter, unless the school is wholly independent, the school can be named anyway, but the LA may force you to appeal.

Have you ruled out Unsted Park? Depending on the level of anxiety/demand avoidance, More House?

At secondary, typically the maximum recommended travel time is 1hr15. If there is a reason that wouldn’t be suitable for DS, try to get evidence of this if you haven’t already.

They are all independent schools. We looked at Unsted Park but were put off as they accept children with criminal tags. My son struggles with school anxiety due to being treated very badly at a school in YrR and needs low arousal school that provides a holistic / nurturing approach.

If you have an offer of a place from Odyssey House, you can still appeal.

Are the other schools wholly independent or section 41 independents? You only need an offer of a place from the former. The latter can be named even if they object, so if you think they can meet DS’s needs and it is only the school/LA who thinks they can’t meet needs/are unsuitable, you could still appeal for them.

Many SS admit DC who have had interactions with the YJS, it doesn’t automatically mean the school isn’t nurturing. If pupils with YJS involvement is the only reason you think a school can’t meet DS’s needs, I wouldn’t rule it out on that basis alone.

Thank you for your reponse. I’m sorry but I don’t understand DC, YJS? Please could you explain. Thank you.

DC is Darling/Dear Child or Darling/Dear Children depending on the context.
DS is Darling/Dear Son
YJS is Youth Justice System

I’ve been in contact with SENDIAS today and they have been very helpful. They have advised that another child’s parents contacted them on Friday as they are in the same situation with Hampshire LA over funding in advance for the first term. SENDIAS has already contacted the LA about this issue so will update me later today once a response has been received. They advised to continue with the taster sessions and with my Mediation through the Global Mediation Service. Thanks again for all the helpful advice. Please keep your fingers crossed for us 😊🤞😊.

Personally, I wouldn’t bother with mediation. Just get the certificate set and submit to SENDIST.

I’ve tried searching SENDIST for Hampshire but it brings up SENDIAS. Do you know if they are the same thing please?

They aren’t the same.

SENDIST is a government department who provides the First-tier Tribunal service for SEN matters. It isn’t specific to a particular LA. It is who you submit an appeal to. You don’t need a mediation certificate to only appeal section I, but once you have the mediation certificate, you should seriously consider appealing B&F as well because the placement named in section I is the logical conclusion of B&F.

SENDIASS is a support service. You should be careful. Although some have good experiences, they often repeat the LA’s unlawful policies. They receive LA funding so some will toe the party line. IPSEA and SOSSEN are better for accurate information, IMO.

Thank you, I managed to find SENDIST and they have sent me the relevant forms to complete. They will review and respond within 20 workings days. They advised that this is a slightly unusual case as we are not really contesting section I as it’s more about funding. They will put the case to a judge to comment. I have since found out that the LA knew about this issue with funding but didn’t advise us prior to consult. If we had of known then we wouldn’t have put our son through the taster days. The school have advised that they have another pupil from Hampshire already placed there so I know it can be done.

If Hampshire CC has not named Odyssey House in section I of the EHCP, you would be contesting section I (and should appeal B&F as well).

If they have already named the school in section I, you don’t need to appeal.

I have just read your other thread. If you appeal, you would be contesting section I because the LA has not named a placement only a type of placement.

@Thomo1976 did you get the placement funded? Please avoid Odyssey house the only Hampshire child from there is unable to attend. They have caused more school trauma for many children in the last 6 months. Hampshire is right not to place children there. They do not manage behaviour

Could I please ask if anyone knew anything further about the trauma caused for children at Odyssey House? We were wondering if this school would be suitable for our child. Thank you.

@ThePinkNewt no we didn’t get a placement here due to funding issues. The LA will only place children from Hampshire at this school as a last resort. We managed to secure a placement for my child to start in Sept at Inclusion school Basingstoke. It seems to be an amazing school. Do you know what the trauma is please as I have a friend’s child going through taster days at the moment. Thank you

There was significant safeguarding issues i raised and took all the way to CEO with no response. Staff mis conduct causing distress amongst students, behaviour of other children, often impingement fences and running down the road requiring alot of staff to abandon lessons to deal with absconding. There is alot more but its difficult to say exactly without giving too much personal detail

Glad to hear you have found somewhere that seems like its going to be the right fit. I've not heard of that one. I know our LA has paused consulting with OHS due to the amount off issues raised with the Head of SEND so we are awaiting an outcome from a investigation

Thanks for sharing and I do hope the issues are dealt with quickly.

That was us ! We were told the same thing contacted sendiass and contacted everyone we could think of at HCC and within a week he had a place!
it's not going well as a trauma informed school it’s been a bit of a shambles !