Anyone in Farnham and or at More House

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We are currently trying to get our son ASD, ADHD specialist provision but have been told we are much more likely to succeed if we move to Farnham and try for More House. This is because More House is much cheaper than our current local specialist provision.

Does anyone have experience of fighting for provision in that LA or of getting More House?

Just keen for any experience of the area and provision or lack of it.

Will pm

Hi, my son who has an ASD diagnosis and an EHCP is starting at More House in September. It's a fabulous school! We're in West Sussex but we have decided that the long-ish school run is worth it because of how good a fit it will be for our little lad.

I have just posted about this school yesterday, also interested in sending my son there. He has an echp and a diagnosis of asd and adhd. He struggles with literacy, but is bright (never been tested cognitively however)...love the sound of the school but not sure what the criteria would be and how much of a fight it would be?

Seems to depend on the LA Swippy. I’ve been told by an advocate (well known on here!) that our LA is fairly open to More House because fees are manageable, especially for children who have had full time 1:1 like DS. Travel costs if out of borough are a stickler though.

Having seen the school a couple of times, met teachers and older boys at Open Day, it’s an inspirational place, and more worth the ‘battle’ than what we would end up with at local comp IYSWIM.

Their admission process is well thought out so that you, your DS and they will know if the placement is right for you all.

Sounds great, we are Surrey and currently have 25 hours 1-1 so fingers crossed. I would happily drive him.
I actually called and spoke to admissions but as he is only just 7 and year 2 I would need to wait until next year as it’s year 4 onwards.
What did you like about it?

as you say they seem to have a great admission system as ultimately it’s got to be right for them and him. I like the way the don’t have lots of open days as it’s distuptive for the children. Something I naively never thought of and many special schools have them monthly!

Some things to think about.

They do have boys doing trail days. This is almost weekly.

In the junior school they have two classes and they slowly fill up until there is four? Classes. That’s a lot of new admissions until they are full ( year 8 normally)

Despite what the head says they do have children with challenging behaviour at the school. Many of the boys have socail skill challenges.

I’m just being honest. It’s a great school and on balance it’s the best place for my son but it’s not 100% perfect. My son struggles with his peers. Something I don’t think is openly talked about. If some of the things happened in MS there would be exclusions level behaviour which my son struggles with coming from a strict mainstream school in a Surrey village.

All the boys have their own challenges and everyone understands why and is very supportive. The parents support each other. It is a wonderful school and they preform something quite magical with the boys. The boys there are extremely lucky. They are also cherished by the staff. Geniunly the staff seems very caring, and proud of them

Hi, I know this thread is slightly old but our son is 7, currently out of school as cannot cope with the mainstream junior school he is supposed to attend.

He is ASD with educational level of well above his age but he has (sometimes) violent and challenging behaviour as a result of his self esteem and severe anxiety.

Just wanted other parents opinions on whether the school is possibly worth looking at?

My son is at MH. He joined in year 4. He's now in year 8. He has a diagnosis of ADHD, dyslexia & dyspraxia, though we are not sure about the dyspraxia. We joined under the previous head but as the current head was then deputy head I doubt the admission criteria will have changed.

We were told there were two criteria. 1. Can we help your child. 2. Will they upset the balance of the class/tear they are joining . I suggest this is more related to the year as each boy is individually timetabled. They also don't take children if the issue is a lack of ability. It doesn't sound like this is the case from the above posts. With regard to the balance of the class/year. I was worried about that given my son's behavior but the school is a special needs school & caters for a wide range of behaviours.

If you apply you will send in all the assessment material you have on your son then meet the head, without your son, & discuss his needs. If they feel they can help your son can/will go for a trial day. If that goes OK you'll be offered a place. This can happen very quickly. I think from seeing the head to our son starting was under two weeks.

There are Autistic children there. Though from my limited knowledge they tend to be at the milder end of the spectrum. Speak to the school. They are, by the nature of the school, very understanding.

As mentioned above the boys have a wide range of behaviours & diagnoses. I would recommend any parent of a child who has mental health issues look at the school. It's an outstanding school & if it's right for your son & you send him there you'll have made the best decision for his future you ever make.

We applied for an ECP once our son had joined. We did it using the council's resources. No-one challenged the ECP at any stage. I believe the key to obtaining it was the piece written about our son by MH describing the support he needed. But, as you get no feedback from the council & it appears there is a large element of subjectivity you don't know. If you have to go to tribunal do. I'm in Hampshire & everyone I know who's been to tribunal has got funding. It's horrible & expensive process but worth it if you get what you want.