Special schools in or near Reading

[mamitou]

I will be moving to Reading from Manchester for work in August. My 5 years old DS has ASD and goes to a special school, I am wondering whether there are mumsnetters living in Reading or surrounding area who know a good special school I can move next to? I don't really know Reading and would be grateful for any advice. Thanks very much.

My DS goes to Priors Court, not far from Newbury very near exit 13 if the M4. It is mostly residential but I believe there are younger ones on day or weekly placements. It us a fantastic school ime. Might be worth a look? Sorry, I don't know about other schools in the area.

Thanks Davros. It's good to know that as I have also been recommended Newbury as good place to live if working in Reading. I will get in touch with the school to find out more. Thanks.

I don't know much about how this is getting on, but worth a look?

www.autism.org.uk/our-services/education-and-schools/free-schools-and-academies/thames-valley-school-reading.aspx

Thanks ugger, will do.

We moved out of Reading, not because the support was crap, but it was incompatible with what we wanted.(We wanted ABA and the LEA were very much against it, so we were told) We never did have much dealings with the LEA so I don't have much first hand experience of their offerings.

mamitu I wouldn't limit myself to just reading and Newbury. Reading has got very good links with Slough and Maidenhead etc via rail and road so have a look there as well.

Davros I thought priors court was an independent specialist school. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought these were usually offered as a last resort, once all the other local offerings were exhausted.

Many speciall schools are independent, usually the ones run by charities, E.g. all the NAS schools. I think it depends on what an LEA has to offer and the needs of the child. I think it's true that its often become harder to get these schools because LEAs have developed so much more provision in the last 10 years and there's more so-called support available in m/s. I do know that there are a lot if kids from West Berks at Priors Court as well as from lots if other areas (we live in LB Camden for instance).

Thanks Davros we have only recently moved to the borough next to you, Islington. Would you know anybody who has experience of dealing with them, good or bad. PM me if you want.

The LA will only consider somewhere like Priors Court if you can prove that they cannot meet his needs within LA schools, usually after a fight i.e.Tribunal because they are incredibly expensive.

It is likely that if the OP's son's needs are currently being met by a LA special school there will be schools in Reading that can also do so.
A quick look at the Reading council website suggests;
www.avenue.reading.sch.uk/, although there are not many in Reading it may also be that they will look at schools outside Reading but elsewhere in Berkshire.

You need to get moving quickly if you are hoping to find him a place for September as it will not be nowhere near as simple as moving from one mainstream school to another.

What provision does his Statement say he needs?

DS mainly needs SALT and help in all areas affected by the lack of speech such as learning, socialisation, etc. At present he goes to a LA special school. His head teacher told me she will contact the SEN department at Reading and also mentioned the Avenue Special School in Reading as one that can meet DS needs. I hope this won't be a big hassle.
TheBuskersdog At this point, I really need to know which school in the Berkshire area can accept him so I can organise our move not far from the school. My work place is in Reading but I am willing to live anywhere in the Berkshire area next to DS's school.

Just re-read my post and realised I used not nowhere rather than anywhere but I'm sure you understood. I just meant that when moving between mainstream schools there is a lot more availability of suitable places. Presumably there will need to be more assessment and communication between the schools as well.
That sounds promising if your current head thinks it will meet his needs, hope they have a place for him if it is suitable.

Yes, Avenue school rings a bell. Can you contact Berkshire Autistic Society and ask them to put you in touch with parents locally who might know a bit more about local schools.

This is the list of all special schools in the Berkshire area from the guie by Gabbitas.

Page 1
page 2
As you can see on page 1, under special needs, The avenue school is not listed for ASD. Can you arrange a day in the area to see the schools before you commit.

The Thames Valley Free School is scheduled to be opened in September this year. It is set up by the NAS. You can get more details here.

TheBuskersdog Thank you. I'm now aware it is not as easy as I thought and that he might not get a place in a special school in Reading or Berkshire area due to lack of availability. My past experience with mainstream school had not been good and this makes me reluctant to consider that option. DS is so happy in his current school and progressing well, I am just hoping that he gets a similar environment in Berkshire.

dev9aug Thanks for that. I didn't realise The Avenue did not cater for ASD children, I will discuss that with DS's Head Teacher.

Tryingtokeepintune Thank you. This is good to know. I will contact Reading NAS, just hoping they still have place available for September.

mamitu I was just curious why Gabbitas who has decided to list this school as not suitable for ASD so I pointed it out on the thread. Sorry for the cunfusion.
As far as I am aware they do take children with ASD,in fact this was the school which was suggested for DS1 who has ASD.

You could always do the old trick of sounding like you want something more expensive than you really do. E.G. Talk about priors court as an option, and even mention low level residential, to make them more amenable to a day special school you really want iyswim!

Dev9aug, I do know a few islington parents. Our kids are all teens, coming up for adult services so things have changed sunce they were small. Islington used to be thought of as terrible as it would never fund home ABA or treehouse when other boroughs did. I think this was because, unlike other boroughs at the time, islington did actually have ASD provision at The Bridge. Camden, for instance, had no ASD provision at the time and couldn't really refuse to fund. That has changed but Camden still funds treehouse sometimes and afaik islington never does. I know a few people whose kids have gone to the Bridge who are reasonably satisfied but their kids are a lot older than I assume yours is. My perception of islington is that its not good on respite etc but I could be wrong. If you want I can probably put you in touch with a friend from islington who would be more up-to-date than I am.

Thanks Davros, that would be much appreciated.

Hi Mamitou

I live in Reading and my DS has ASD but is in main stream secondary school.

I believe The Avenue School is mainly aimed for physically disabled children and I would imagine those severe on the spectrum.

Brookfields is a lovely school for children with SEN www.brookfieldsschool.org/Pages/default.aspx

And I believe Manor Primary has a specialised unit for SEN children. Both come under Reading Borough Council.

If I was you I would contact the schools admission teams for all the neighbouring boroughs and ask them for a list of schools in their area that cater for SEN children. You can then contact the schools for their prospectus.

HTH

JNC

Dev9Aug, I have asked my friends for any information on Islington. I'll try to work out how to PM you when I get some responses. It used to be called CAT the last time I used it!