AS schools Wilts/Hants/Dorset

[inappropriatelyemployed]

Looking for schools for able but anxious Aspie.

Seen Oakmore Centre, Grateley and North Hill House.

Priorities - small class size, appropriate peer group, understanding do AS.

He is out of school at the moment as he can't cope with his very small mainstream school. In Y5 so would change now if I could.

But most indys don't seem to take them until Y7 even if their prospectus says they take from 9.

Strange about indis not taking until Y7 if they are saying earlier

Which LA has the most indies? You might find a good competitive state in that LA.?

It's what happened in Surrey. Provision is generally good because of the number of Indis that are offering services.

I wondered whether they had stitched that up with the LA to stop people trying to transfer before secondary. It seems to me that LAs are more likely to try and cobble together something seemingly 'appropriate' for secondary.

Does North Hill House not take children below Y7? Would be interested to hear your views on them.

In Hampshire I thinks it's only Southlands that take under Y7s. The HT at Grateley told me there was apparently no demand for under Y7 places

North Hill House does - I think - but I found it rather clinical and its outside space was a concrete basket ball court. The padded room put me off too. Staff seemed lovely as did facilities.

Grateley was in a much better location. I was told there wasn't a peer group for under Y7 but then there wouldn't be if you don't take the kids.

Thanks , I'd been semi-planning to see North Hill but never got round to it.

Grateley is lovely, and I wonder if there just aren't enough classrooms to take more children. When it was set up, classes were held in the Stables block, and the current classrooms are relatively new, and the design of the classroom block is not obviously suitable for extension.

Have you seen Southlands?

No but I got the impression it was more general ASD than AS

I wasn't allowed to visit as they didn't have any day places! They have allegedly recently lost their Outstanding status after a recent care inspection, and are now deemed Adequate.

Are there any other schools on your list?

Really. Blimey. It is a minefield isn't it.

Running short of ideas I have to say. There isn't a great deal out there for able Aspies. Or else it is miles away and I'm not sure DS would cope with travelling and high levels of fatigue.

What about you?

I have an offer of a place at an indy school in Surrey an hour's drive away. The distance is a bit of a worry, but what other options are there???

If ds does go there, and we'll probably have to go all the way to the tribunal hearing, we'll probably end up moving nearer.

Then if you change counties by moving, can't the new LA unpick the placement saying it has LA funded stuff on offer?

It's a nightmare. Where do you have your offer? PM if you'd rather.