SEN Schools in Surrey

[Sheljo84]

Hi, we are currently living in Chiswick and looking to move to Surrey, ideally in the Runnymede area, but we are open to other locations. Our 8-year-old daughter, who is in Year 4, has ASD and ADHD and has an EHCP. She also has some MLD and is high masking. While she’s currently in a mainstream school that is trying to support her, she struggles socially, and we feel she might thrive in an environment where she can connect with more neurodivergent peers and truly feel a sense of belonging.

We are really keen to find the right school where she will be supported and can flourish, whether that’s an independent school or a mainstream setting with strong SEN or COIN provisions. If anyone has recommendations for both primary and secondary schools in the area, we would be so grateful. Thank you in advance for your help! 🫶🏻

Jubilee High School, in Addlestone has a SLCN unit. It’s a mainstream secondary and part of the Bourne Academy Trust.

Philip Souuthcote, also in Addlestone is a special school for children with moderate learning difficulties.

Those are both secondary schools. There is The Meath School in Ottershaw. Im not sure of the criteria for admission, but I kno its very well thought of.

For special schools, with MLD, you are looking at LAN schools. As well as Philip Southcote, depending on where in Runnymede you plan to move to, you could look at Gosden House and Undershaw - both are all-through schools. The latter has a wider range of needs which doesn’t suit all.

For primary, LAN centres within mainstream schools, there is the Harbour centre at the Hythe school. Depending on how DD’s MLD presents, low COIN units in MS might be suitable, but they aren’t for all DC with MLD, and you could look at Stepgates.

For secondary low COIN centres, you could look at Jubilee.

Be aware if you move, SCC will review the EHCP and potentially amend or even propose to cease to maintain. You would have the right of appeal, but it is something you need to be aware of. They may also reassess.

I would add (am in Surrey, although not Runnymede, both my children have EHCPs) that Surrey are not good when it comes to EHCPs (I know all LAs are bad but Surrey is particularly bad 😞) and will almost certainly not name a specialist school without a fight so be prepared to have strong professional evidence of the need for specialist over mainstream

I can’t offer any advice on schools but there’s a great organisation in Surrey called APPEER that supports autistic girls and their parents . They run an informal morning of activities once a month, good for social interaction if the girls want it. And also the opportunity for parents to meet and get advice from staff. It’s based just outside Woking so if you were in Runnymede you wouldn’t be far away.

Thank you all so much.
It’s heartbreaking to hear how difficult things are with Surrey LA. We’ve fought so hard to get this EHCP, and the thought of having to go through that battle again is just overwhelming and sadly can't stay in the area.😫