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Original poster

Mainstream school recommendation for SEN ds, 12. Anywhere in UK considered!

26 replies

SusieP40 · 20/01/2013 21:23

I have already stated a thread in Education but thought I would try here too.
Ds, 12 has range of SEN - dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxic and ASD traits. His current school isnt addressing his needs at all. There are no other local schools so we are prepared to move anywhere to find him a school that can help him progress. As we run an internet-based business we are very mobile and would consider anywhere affordable (so not london then!). Also 2 primary dds to consider but they are young and doing fine.

Any first hand experience of good SEN practice in a mainstream school would be brilliant.
TIA

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Original poster
SusieP40 · 20/01/2013 22:41

.

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lisad123everybodydancenow · 20/01/2013 23:25

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EllenJaneisstillnotmyname · 21/01/2013 09:43

Hi Susie. I've already replied on your other thread but welcome to the board. Smile I've found it a mine of useful and supportive information. Many of the DC are still of primary age here, but hopefully you'll get some good advice.

To clarify, are you looking for a MS school that is good with SEN, or one with a special unit? Would you consider a private school? In which case Bredon School near Tewkesbury is one worth looking at.

www.bredonschool.org/

Original poster
SusieP40 · 21/01/2013 12:50

Hi Smile and thanks for responses.

Ds is currently in a private school but it doesnt seem to have much knowledge of or interest in SEN. As we are planning to relocate, it would be preferable (financially!) to find a state school with good SEN provision rather than a private one. TBH, we are fairly disillusioned with private education right now.

I am not familiar with how secondary schools manage SEN or what's best for ds. In primary school he had IEPs from Reception till the day he left. He was twice assessed for ASD but both paedeatricians said he didnt tick all the boxes. He is dyslexic, has signs of dyspraxia, procesessing issues and problems with concentrating. I dont know if a special unit or in-class support would work best. My ideal school would be a state comprehensive with excellent SEN support for ds.

Any recommendations very gratefully received!

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zumbaleena · 21/01/2013 13:56

Rivers ton is good

Iblametheturtles · 21/01/2013 14:01

Hi there

I have pm'd you. Smile

imogengladhart · 21/01/2013 14:23

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Original poster
SusieP40 · 21/01/2013 14:33

Turtles, have pms you back - many thanks!
Zumbaleena, will look at Riverston too, thank you for that.
Bredon looks lovely - wish I had done this 2 years ago instead of opting for the nearest school Sad
Are private schools generally better?

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Original poster
SusieP40 · 21/01/2013 14:33

Imogen you are welcome Smile

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imogengladhart · 21/01/2013 14:37

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Original poster
SusieP40 · 21/01/2013 21:41

hope you find somewhere suitable Imogen. its a challenge!

Anyone else?

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lisad123everybodydancenow · 21/01/2013 21:50

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Rolf · 21/01/2013 21:55

My DD is in year 3, and has a number of people helping her in school. I asked them recently if they would let me know, as and when, their thoughts about secondary school. They all raved about one particular local school (we're near Liverpool - if that's somewhere you'd consider let me know and I'll pm you with details) but the most helpful part of the conversation was talking about the sort of provision that would help DD. In DD"s case, it was good mentoring, clear provision for support during lunch and break times, and quiet areas for time-out. Obviously for your DS the wish list would be different. Is there anyone involved with him who could help you formulate your search criteria? We have a wonderful child psychologist who I'm hoping will be able to work with us nearer the time to help us decide on the best secondary school for DD.

Original poster
SusieP40 · 22/01/2013 09:20

hi Rolf, I am glad your dd is getting help in school. It is really hit and miss, I have heard of really good provision and truly crap provision (ie my ds' so far).

Please pm me with the school you mentiopned, Liverpool is fab and we would relocate happily for a good school. I feel ds has wasted most of his schooling so far and we dont have long now to get it right Sad.

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troutsprout · 22/01/2013 10:37

Hello.
I have a recommendation too.
Ds is in mainstream state school . Hfa/ dyspraxia . He is in year 11 (he's 15) and doing well. His school is small and utterly brill with him. He has no statement but has 15 hours of funding at level 2c. I would never have dreamed he would have done so well after a fairly miserable time at primary .
We live in Cheshire... Are you interested in state schools?

Rolf · 22/01/2013 10:39

I've pm-ed you Smile

Original poster
SusieP40 · 22/01/2013 11:30

troutsprout, great to read your ds is doing so well. I would prefer state tbh, ds' current school fees are high and he doesnt seem to be getting much benefit from them. What is level 2c? (clueless!). Can you pm me the name of the school please? Thanks. Smile

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kissmyheathenass · 03/02/2013 16:12

Hello, just bumping this up - we are going to be visiting a couple of schools soon but still keen to explore more suggestions. State schools preferably! And ones that allow ds to be himself rather than making him feel crap because he doesnt fit into 'normal'.

Mrcrumpswife · 03/02/2013 17:45

This is the one that everyone seems to be very keen on around here when DC have more complex SEN even though it is out of County for us. Thankfully they do seem flexible with intake.

www.sherbornetown.com/directory/gryphon-school-sherborne.aspx

Its a large mainstream school but has a special unit for DC with complex needs so they can work between the 2 parts of the school. I dont have any personal experience but its the direction we might be heading in a couple of years time! Everywhere is worth a lookSmile

www.gryphon.dorset.sch.uk/sen

kissmyheathenass · 03/02/2013 20:16

Hi, that school looks very good and is not too fasr from us (we would have to move house but would s be near enough to visit family still). It is "significantly oversubscribed" though - will give them a call in the morning and see what they say. Thanks.

Mrcrumpswife · 03/02/2013 20:27

Let me know how you get on. Its our nearest but would mean a massive move in a few years but we would do it if needed.

kissmyheathenass · 05/02/2013 20:57

Mrcrumpswife, we are still looking! I have had many many convos with schools and some SENCOs over the last week - several have really impressed me with their interest in ds and what they can offer. Some schools havent called back Sad. I can let you know the schools which really impressed me - there are several spread across England (decided not to go further than this) and what struck me was the efficiency and willingness to take ds on. We are still looknig - I have a few more calls to make and then we will visit any that tick all the boxes.

sickofsocalledexperts · 05/02/2013 21:12

Three good private mainstreams which also take many children with SEN: : Ewell Castle, Box Hill, Kingswood House. Al Surrey

sickofsocalledexperts · 05/02/2013 22:09

Three good private mainstreams which also take many children with SEN: : Ewell Castle, Box Hill, Kingswood House. Al Surrey

PipinJo · 06/02/2013 00:23

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