Calling all SW MNetters

[sphil]

Well, we're down in Somerset again and as usual Dh and I are having our 'what shall we do with our lives?' conversation. One option is to move down here. So, I'm going to ask some blunt questions!

Can anyone recommend a special school for DS2 (ASD) or an ASD unit, or a primary school with proven success in helping children with ASD?

Secondly, we need to find a primary school for DS1 which will be supportive of his needs (dyspraxia, mild social oddities) and where the children are given support at playtimes (ideas for games, buddy systems etc etc).

My parents live near Taunton, so we'd like to be within 20 miles of them if possible, but would consider further away if it was right for the boys.

Don't know what the form is for naming schools outright on MN but if anyone has any ideas and doesn't feel able to do so, then using initials and a few location cues should suffice - God knows I know the Ofsted reports section like the back of my hand!
Have heard good things about a special school in Yeovil with a number in the name - anyone know it?

Thanks - trawling the internet is no help at all on this one.

Bump. If I've asked something I shouldn't, then sorry . Don't really know how else to find out. Ofsted reports are often out of date and don't always reflect true picture of a school.

hi sphil

I dont have kids with special needs but have worked with children from Yewstock special school in STurminster Newton - very nice little school. hth.

yewstock

Bit further afield but Bidwell Brook has a good name (in Dartington). They take a very calm approach with their autistic children apparently (prob a bit too calm for ds1-but sounds like it could suit some, and I know lots of parents who are very happy with it). They have a website. I;d recommend ds1's school, but its a bit far.

(oh am still thinking of places we could meet).

Hi.
I live quite around 16 miles from Yeovil but have no sn children.Im guessing fiveways school is the one you mean.Don't know anything about the school,sorry.Best thing would be to arrange to veiw some of the schools in the area.

I think I've heard good things about Fiveways, but I can't remember where from/who from.
Yeovil would be good, I have family there (who are very ASD friendly, if we wanted to meet they would help me with ds1 in a useful way )

Hi

Lived in Bridgwater and just outside for 32 years,

There is an excellent ASD school at West Huntspill, or there was two years ago when I worked for HomeSTart there- fighting for palces, a unit alongside a nice mainstream primary. It was before DS1 was dx, so never visited, but remember excellent things about it. The area accessible is nice too- West Huntspill is a lovely little village, and Mark etc in the surrounding is a nice place to live, along with Wedmore (now Mr Glitter has moved along anyway.... You would have to check with the school or Somerset county COuncil for exact catchmenta reas. Your DS could also attend West Huntspill and it is within 20 miles of taunton I think, just about.

Don't know much about yeovil Fiveways although the name rings positive bells..... BIBIC would know though.

Know the schools to avoid like the plague very well (DH grew up South Somerset but didn't really know special schools) so if you get any names feel free to CAT me.

(BTW it's 50 /50 whether we stay here when I graduate or go to South petherton to be close to friends of DH / carnival /family. Spend lots of time down that way so should you end up anywhere in Somerset and fancya ameet up....
Nice places near yeovil:
S Petherton ; also Martock,West Coker, Merriott, Crewkerne... Dh is a Chard peron and Dh says 'somewhere on Ham Hill that Paddy Ashdown lived in'.

Useless.

Thanks everyone. Fiveways was the one I read about - great Ofsted report.I also looked at West Huntspill, but it's just that bit further away from family (as well as parents to the SE of Taunton, I have a sister in Wellington). The website for Yewstock looked lovely, Enid, but again, it's a bit far away.

Peachyclair - that's such a coincidence - when we were first thinking of moving here last year we fell in love with South Petherton. It's very like a smaller version of Lewes,where we live atm. We could live there, send DS1 to the primary school and DS2 to Fiveways I guess (in an ideal world - fgs he doesn't even have his statement yet!)And then we could meet up!

JJ - don't mind where we meet. Would like to hear more about your DS1's school - you've been so positive about it on here. Send an e-mail or ring when you've got time. We're pretty flexible, although we are going to the Bishops Lydeard Steam Fair on Sat or Sun. Oh joy...

If yopu move there tell me, I psend every Sunday two minutes away LOL! kids carnival club is based there LOL!

Carnival Club - what's that PC? It sounds as if South Petherton has a lot going on. I need to move somewhere that has a bit of life .We went on a driving tour today (after morning at BIBIC ) and I like the look of Shepton Beauchamp, Long Sutton and Bower Hinton too.

Talked to the BIBIC Family Support Officer who said that Yeovil is a good centre for SEN services/support etc.

Anyone know anything about Selworthy in Taunton? Or Archbishop Cranmer (which has a lang unit attached)?

DS2's statement request has been accepted - wahey!!! Only took then 3 days to decide, which makes me realise he's definitely not borderline...

'Them' not 'then'

Oh God - have just read Dingle's thread below. Sorry Dingle - I wouldn't have posted if I'd read that first. It was my dread for DS2

carnivals

South opetherton has a small one, but we help run a kids club based on the outskirts of South petherton that does the medium-sized circuits (Chard, Ilminster etc) because they are all Saturday ones. If you need an activity for ds's (don't know about the ability level of your sn son- Sam certainly copes and we have a child wioth Downs who may be joining) feel free to come along- it's a family thing, we all muck in. WWW.Rascals-jcc.org.uk, but the website is shite coz I did it and I've been too busy to keep at it lately LOL!

Went to a wedding at long Sutton recently, nice place, very quiet. Selworthy School- know of it, supposed to be OK, much like Penrose in Brdigwater (but don't move to Bridgwater as I am sure you know LOL). Archbishop Crammer supposed to be excellent for mainstream, dunno about the unit.

If you like Taunton, BIL lives in Coombe which is near monkton heathfield- lovely palce. Also recommend Kingston St mary as an excellent primary, Ex-P lived there and attended the school. The Levels are nie too if you like that sort of thing (I do)- Burrowbridge is a nice, friendly family orientated place.

Thanks Peachyclair - you are a ine of information! Carnival looks fun - it would certainly replace Bonfire Night in Lewes, which is our 'big event' and one we'd miss if we moved. DS1 would love the club I'm sure - don't know about DS2.

We are certainly moving closer to the idea that we want to come down here, especially as the therapists at BIBIC seem to think that special school would be much better for DS2 than m/s. This has confirmd something we've been thinking for some time, but I would prefer him not to have a 40 minute (minimum) trip in a taxi everyday, which is probably what he'd have to do if he went to special school in East Sussex. Ideally (and I accept this may be pie in the sky)I'd like both boys to be part of the local community.

Lots and lots to think about! But very exciting . Now all DH has to do is find a job!!

In case you don't know what an ine of information is - I meant a mine. Long day at BIBIC...

LOL- a friend of mine moved from Lewes and replaced bonfire night with carnival too.

It's easier being close to BIBIC isn't it? We were lucky, as we moved here they opened BIBIC Cymru which is six miles away- slightly more than the 0.5 in Somerset but still not bad!