Would you recommend a school?

[cornwallia]

OK, we've been hanging on where we live for three years now (through dx and then statementing). We want to move. Getting school switched on to helping DS has been like turning an oil tanker around and I'm exhausted. Things have got better but it isn't really the right place for him and my trust is just not there any more.

We're still waiting to sort out our appeal against the statement but it is fair to say that the whole experience has ruined our quality of life completely - I'm sure you know how it is

We don't really want to move elsewhere in this very traditional, middle England grammar school town as the schools are all known to us and really seem no better. Plus secondary schooling is a problem. Boys are bused out of county to different schools.

So, feeling like a new start and wanting a plan after Easter, we are looking to see where we could move to. Thinking maybe south west area but not completely limited to it.

Newlife4us gave me one idea which I am going to check out but do you have a school you would actually, positively recommend to the mum of a child with Asperger's and a statement? I'm starting to feel driven out of the system, as if no one really will ever want DS.

cornwallia, sorry I don't remember how old your ds is. Are you looking at primary/secondary or both?

Sorry, he's 8 and so primary but also an area which feeds into a decent, inclusive secondary!

My DS is 6 & year 2 but oh how I resonate with your post! Currently in preparation for moving "somewhere" as I simultaneously apply for tribunal as DS prepares to start his 3rd primary school, one that didn't want to take him (for GOOD reason) but the lea has forced to.

There's only so many times you can "rinse, wash, repeat" before you have to accept things just aren't working isn't there? Secondary will also loom on the horizon all too quickly. I'm thinking Wales as house prices there make home educating a realistic possibility for a lone parent, if all else fails (secondary??) but am open to ANY suggestions.

The South West is a wonderful place to live, (family originally from there) but wages/house prices are seriously outta sync.

As well as schools I'm curious as to areas with good records for NHS waiting times for things like OT/SALT. Lack of access to these can seriously impede evrything from initial diagnosis to statement reviews as the child grows and changes. A good school, and short NHS wait times for those at the higher spectrum end (who so frequently get overlooked) is my dream.

In Cheltenham, Bournside secondary school has got a good reputation for ASD. It is next door to two SS, one of which is more for MLD children who sometimes spend time in the MS school. The SENCo is truly lovely. Not so sure about primaries. A friend has a child with moderate ASD at Lakeside and is happy with it. I wouldn't recommend my own DSs primary school as he has succeeded there despite the provision, rather than because of it. Cleeve school in Bishops Cleeve, north of Chelt, is also very good. None have special units, but both these 2 have thriving SEN depts and seem very inclusive.

There's only so many times you can "rinse, wash, repeat" before you have to accept things just aren't working isn't there?

Bochead you are so right. I often feel it's like being in a relationship you know is dead and that you should move on from but you keep on making excuses for transgressions. Then, you keep on setting deadlines for when you are going to make the move e.g. when we get the diagnosis, after we get the statement, as soon as the appeal is sorted, but there is never a 'right time'.

I'd heard Wales was quite good for SEN??

Thanks for your thoughts too EllenJane. I want to believe there are good inclusive schools out there who don't think it's too much effort to accommodate children who have different needs. But I feel the whole education system is just soul-destroyingly about churning out good job market fodder and this starts the minute they enter reception. This means schools are looking for a typical ideal product to churn out and Aspie kids don't fit that neat little mould so easily.

I'd love to be proved wrong.

Sorry, pinkorkid, DS is 8.

Gloucestershire not quite south west enough? One of my best friends is an assistant head in south Cornwall, and the LA sounds crap. No central services to speak of, just kids dumped in MS with a TA, even with quite severe SEN. Wouldn't recommend it.

Don't know Gloucestershire at all EllenJane1 - will have a look and speak to an acquaintance who moved from that area.

Interestingly, I have a friend who is an assistant head at a Cornish school too! She knows bollocks all about SEN!

have a look at PRIORY EDUCATION specialist ASD schools.

My son attends one paid for by LEA and started age 8 after huge battle for statement and dx.
He will be there till he is 18. he loves it and they are brill with him. nice small schools, specialist settings, specialist staff, tailored curriculum.
the schools are all over the UK.

www.priorygroup.com/Personal-Site/Education-Services-and-Fostering/Overview.aspx

That's spooky, cornwallia. Not Hayle Community School?

Cheltenham is in Glos, and I just about think of it as South West, but it's nearly Midlands.

No not the same school - my friend is a bit further north EJ1!

Bonkerz, thanks for the info. I will look but I really would like to give mainstream a chance and for DS to be at school with his brother.

Opposite side of the country but we are on the suffolk coast, excellent primary schools, LEA have been great with statement . Good support in MS from outside agencies & there are some good secondary schools (one or two crap one two)

Here are the links to some sites we used when looking for possible schools for ds (13, asd)
www.aspergerfoundation.org.uk/links_schools.htm
www.ofsted.gov.uk/ - you can search the ofsted site by area, age group, geographical area
www.mugsy.org/localschools.pdf - Surrey NAS list of schools with asd proviision
www.autismlondon.org.uk/pdf-files/MicrosoftWord-SchoolsL-Z_002.pdf

a few individual schools offering mainstream curriculum that were recommended :

www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk/contact/contact-us - small independent secondary relatively cheap fees, recommended by a teacher who used to work there
www.morehouseschool.com/ - independent starts at age 8 goes up to 18
www.sunnydown.surrey.sch.uk/ - maintained secondary special school with mainstream curriculum
www.stdominicsschool.org.uk/ - independent starts at age 8 goes up to 19

good luck with the search!