Moving and ASD provision

[Twowillbefine]

Hello. We live in London and are keen to swap our flat (lovely as it is) for a bigger house with garden etc outside London. I work in central London (Victoria) so commutable distance is important. And all family is northwards so unwilling to move to any other compass point. With these limitations Hertfordshire looks like the best bet.

But whilst everyone (including estate agents) are keen to tell me how good the schools are in Herts, are they any good for ASD?

DS1 is just finishing Reception. He has ASD and a statement and school, where he's been since starting nursery, is great. His statement gives him approx 4 hours a day 1-1 which school tops up so he has a TA working with him all the time and she is lovely. We've also just had a transition meeting this week where they've been really positive about his progress and how to make sure things go well next year etc.

This just throws me into a quandary about whether we shouldn't even think of moving him. Does anyone have any experience of schools in Herts? Or moving and trying to find the right school? Am just petrified of doing the wrong thing and moving him from a really supportive school to one where he isn't known and they don't know how to get the best from him.

Any thoughts most welcome. Thanks.

In a word - no.

Hmm ... any chance of elaborating?

Herfordshire have the highest number of complaints against them with regards to SEN provision in the country. They break the law repeatedly, and hire aggressive solicitors to deny children provision. Their parent partnership share an office with the EPs and will tell you the complaints are because the county is affluent and you have pushy parents with dyslexic kids demanding statements for 1:1 tutors.

They are vindictive and use Child Protection services to bully parents out of complaining or to encourage them to report any need or request for services. They train their schools and headteachers to have extremely low expectations of children with ASD and their strategies for inclusion are only about containing the child in the cheapest placement, not about educating the child.

They refuse to communicate with or engage with parents and are secretive about their provision, and train and encourage schools to be. It can take a VERY long time to build a relationship with a school because as a parent of a child with SEN you are, by definition, difficult.

They were fighting us at tribunal to provide my moderate-severe with some HF aspects 5 year old with a mainstream school plus unspecified TA hours, no SALT or OT. That is what they wanted for him. I moved area, and am still having a hard time trying to get the provision he needs, but the LA has conceded that no way could his needs be met in a mainstream school with no support.

Hertfordshire

Herts are dire when it comes to SEN provision. IPSEA receive more complaints to their helpline about Herts as a county than anywhere else.

Also the statement you currently have will be rewritten when he starts Year 3 so I would put money on it that they would fight you to get his hours reduced.

(Also geographically speaking, moving to Herts would have you commuting into some such place like Moorgate or possibly Liverpool Street. You would have to travel from there across London to Victoria and that would cost you more time and money on an already bothersome commute).

Agree with Atilla re the commute to Victoria. DH also commutes there and we would only consider trains going directly into Victoria (usually from the South, Sussex etc) or just a commute from another part of London. Going from Herts would effectively mean doing both!

Lots of people will tell you schools are good in a certain area, but what makes a school good for the majority of children is not necessarily what would be good for a child with ASD. DD goes to a school with a grade 3 Ofsted, many parents I know were when I sent her there as they have the lowest KS2 results in borough, but they have an amazing approach to SN.

If you have your child in a school which is currently meeting your son's needs, I'd be very wary of moving him, just for a bigger house, especially if you are reasonably happy with your area anyway. He will benefit more from an understanding school than a garden and bigger bedroom.

Thanks to all for comments. They certainly put a different slant on things. I had thought I could remember reading on here that Herts was a bit dodgy but wasn't sure. Does not fill me with confidence that a move would be good especially as DS1 is so happy in his current school and they really like him.

Lots to think about.

Can't help on Herts I'm afraid but in exactly same situation re DS moving into Yr 1 and so far excellent experience in school. We're planning on moving to Sussex to be nearer family,the sea,a garden and space!!!
What's making the decision a little easier at the mo is that DS 's LSA has taken a new job as a general TA in the classroom next door to where he will be.So will see her everyday and wonder why she doesn't want to be with him anywhere.New LSA no direct experience of autism.
The coast beckons.