Private mainstream senior school in South - ASC traits

[Sunnyshores]

Desperately looking for recommendations for a private senior school in the South (starts at 11).

My son has is academically just above average and doesnt really need any 1:1 SpL support, and is according to his teacher OK 95% of the time. But in the other 5%, his social difficulties make him frustrated and angry and then despondent and non-communicative. The main problem though seems to be a complete lack of motivation and he is really bad organising and managing himself.

I thought I needed a school with a good LS department, but actually from looking at many, many schools (and the fab prep he is now at) I think what he needs is excellent pastoral care, understanding and small class size (under 20). It cant be a pressurised environment and needs lots of extra-curricular activities to keep his interest.

Location not so important as we will be moving, but M4 area ideal.

I'd be grateful for any recommendations as I am tearing my hair out looking at prospectus's and reading between the lines.

Or, any thoughts on schools already on my list as ones to research further: Monkton Coombe, Millfield, Rendcombe

Thank-you

Bradfield has great pastoral care and plenty of extra-curricular stuff. I'm not sure the LS department is that hot but if you don't think that's what is needed it might be worth a look.

BTW that's Bradfield College- I think there is somewhere else entirely called Bradfield School which comes up first on google.

Pants, I've just noticed you need from 11 and Bradfield is only 13+

Maybe last 2 years at St Andrew's Pangbourne (lovely, lovely school) then Bradfield College or Pangbourne College?

Prob too far away but The New Forest Small School in Lyndhurst is very flexible.

Dd1 indi school has been amazing and the secondary has a great rep for SN support, including a SN base and hiring 1-1 when needed. We are south east so guessing maybe too far. It's in Herts

Heard good reports about www.morehouseschool.co.uk/ near Farnham.

Lisad123...I am in herts and wd love to know which school!!DS statemented and in Y3 MS school but wont cope with secondaries round here...

Seaford College, Slindon College,

Oddgirl you have a pm

Slindon college has good rep. Stanbridge earls in hampshire also good.

Thanks so much, more googling to be done over the xmas turkey!

Herts is prob too far, Dorset & south coast not possible either which is a shame. Looking from M4 at cirencester across as far as is affordable!! Maybe up as far as Oxford. Partner may be able to work in Cheltenham, but dont want to live quite that far up & across.

Merry Christmas All, i've looked at the suggestions made, but most of them are for specialist schools, whereas I was after mainstream private schools. Have people directed me this way because after reading my description of DS they think he is best suited to a specialist school?
Thanks

St Joseph's in Ipswich - private mainstream, exam to get on but more pastoral than overtly academic

Or Box Hill school in Surrey

Both have experience of hf As, with no shadows

No, but you asked for one with a good LS department. Some ms schools would not actively take children with learning or social difficulties. How academic are you thinking and when will he be in year 6 ? Can the prep not give you a steer ?

and it is under Special Needs !

Bredon school (small independent) near Evesham sells itself as mild SN friendly. My friend looked at it for her DS but his behaviour was too challenging for them.

Sorry, it's near Tewkesbury, not Evesham.

My sisters daughter went to Millfields, she was fairly dyslexic, but I don't think they were that impressed with the SENS support.

LIZS - thanks for your help. He's in yr6 now, we did have a school but can no longer move to that area.

I realise not all schools take children with social difficulties and thats fair enough, I just wish they'd be honest from the outset and say that. I've been sucked in by LS departments that turn out to be little more than teaching english to foreign pupils or with 1 or 2 dyslexic children, or LS departments that sit totally isolated from the school itself and have no input to teachers or school ethos or practice.

I've also been to schools where unless he wants to play rugby competitively or be an musical or drama ace, they're not interested.

Its because of this that actually I asked for excellent pastoral care instead. He doesnt have LS help anymore, but the class TA helps organise him and all the teachers are supportive and the school ethos is about encouraging and enabling the individual to be whatever they want to be.

I've spent the last year trying to find somewhere suitable, perhaps I'm not looking at this the right way - thats why I'm here! Grateful for any advice or stories.

SICKOFSOCALLEDEXPERTS - what does "hf As, with no shadows" mean please?

Thank-you

High functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome, and "without shadow" ie the child can cope solo, with no 1-to-1

www.bredonschool.org/

Bredon School isn't exclusively SN, BTW.

www.bredonschool.org/

Oops

Would it perhaps be a better option to find a prep school to take him for years 7 & 8 while you identify a suitable local secondary. You simply won't get the same level of support in a secondary ie TA but those 2 years might buy him time to mature and adjust in a more controlled environment. tbh most of the schools with an 11+ intake are already in the throes of admissions for next September - interviews and tests take place in December or January - so youa re also up against the system and how many places may still be available after March acceptances. afaik Seaford College isn't only SEN nor is Box Hill, but neither rate academically. Ewell Castle might be an option in Epsom area.

Bredon is def on my shortlist and looks like an interesting place.

LIZS - Yes, thats another option.It would be so much easier if I knew which schools had successfully taught similar children; so tired of fighting for him all the time.

Anyway, thanks everyone for your help............

Do be aware that many private schools charge extra for any LS support. You need to find a good senco.