Specialist secondary schools near EN8 for an academically able autistic child

[lovelyteen]

Hi, can anyone recommend a specialist secondary school near EN8 for an academically able autistic child?
My son has an EHCP and needs small classes, a calm/low-arousal environment, structure, sensory support and SALT/OT input. He struggles with noise, crowds and large mainstream classes, but is able to access an academic/GCSE pathway.
Ideally looking around Hertfordshire, Enfield, Barnet or nearby. I’d especially love to hear from parents with children with a similar profile.
Thank you!

You could look at Silverways and Orange Tree.

Depending on what you mean by academically able, you could look at The Windmill, but while it offers a limited number of GCSEs, it is not at the level of some SS and nowhere near the level of a mainstream curriculum. Along similar lines is The Grove.

There is Holmewood, but from the limited information in your OP, I don’t think that would be suitable for DS.

Have you ruled out Egerton-Rothesay? Maybe DS needs more support than they can offer. Technically it is mainstream. Although not a typical mainstream.

Thanks, that’s really helpful. ERS has replied to say they are oversubscribed, so unfortunately they can’t help further at the moment. Orange Tree has offered us a tour next week, and Holmewood is reviewing my son’s EHCP this week and will update me afterwards.

I’m ideally looking for a school offering the National Curriculum, a good range of GCSEs and sixth form/post-16 provision, so Windmill, The Grove and Silverways aren’t on my list at the moment.

Do you have any personal experience of ERS, Holmewood or Orange Tree? I’d be really interested to hear your thoughts.

Not personal experience, but from helping others my view is Holmewood would be too overwhelming for your DS. I don’t think it will be a good fit based on your OP. Whether ERS could meet needs depends on the level of therapeutic provision that DS requires. Could fall either way. There’s not enough information in your OP.

I wouldn’t base your decision on if a school has a sixth form. Even if the school has a sixth form, Y11 will still be a phase transfer year. There is no guarantee the LA will agree to continue to name the placement for post 16. With that in mind, I would look at Silverways. They run different academic pathways and can offer a range of GCSEs. Some of their pupils move on to A levels.