More House School Frensham - Recent Experiences?

[ameliethree]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has any recent experience of this school.
Our DS3 is coming to the end of year 7 at an outstanding state secondary. He has mild ASD and some other issues with slow writing, but he has coped and is in the middle sets currently. He is desperately unhappy however, largely due to being labelled as 'autistic', - he feels everyone thinks he's dumb because his EHCP provides for additional support - he doesn't want it and rejects it, but in some lessons he simply can't access everything without it. He wants to feel accepted and to be just like everyone else - its very sad to see him like this.
On paper More House looks like it would be a really good option for him.
His EHCP has closed doors on all the selective independent schools.
Of course I need to speak to the school directly, and visit, however a friend mentioned that she felt the boys were very much behind the expected levels and that most of the learning needs were in the area of hearing, speech and language. As I want him to feel that he belongs somewhere, I'm just wondering if that is the case as they are quite different needs to his own. Any help would be so much appreciated as I feel there are so few options available to us....

Just boosting this for you - did you make any progress re More House?My son has been offered a place from Sept 2019 (Y7), and for the reasons you describe above - increasing anxiety, wanting to feel included - we are thinking it is a good option.

My DS did really well at MHS. He is high functioning ASD and had a host of specific learning disorders, the most problematic being dyslexia.

Thanks Margo, that's good to hear. Has he left now?

Yes, just finished this summer. Off to uni soon.

Good for him! Hope it goes well

Me too! It has been a long, long slog but MHS was great. I don't think he'd be off to uni if he'd stayed in mainstream.

Such a reassuring post, thank you. DS would have to travel quite a bit to get there, leave his friends, so not an easy decision. He loved his assessment day though!
Sorry to hijack your OP ameliethree

We went to meet the Head and look round yesterday and were really impressed and heartened - I've just booked our DS in for a taster day and overnight stay. As we're in South East London he would have to weekly board which slightly breaks my heart - he on the other hand is quite excited at the prospect! Our alternative is for him to go to the massive comprehensive his older brother attends - a great school in many ways but with 350+ kids in a year just not able to offer the right learning environment for our easily distracted DS with ASD and language processing difficulties.

I'm feeling quite emotional today after yesterday's visit, because I feel that finally there might be a school that's right for our DS. Keeping fingers crossed and trying to manage expectations until after the taster visit when we will know if he suits them and they suit him...

lamandler if things work out our boys would be in the same year as each other :)

I know exactly what you mean about the emotion of finding 'the place". And how great that our boys might be in the same year! They sound very similar 

If you don't mind, I might PM you my contact details in case our DS' go together in September 19, would be nice to know some people in advance

Lamandler - That would be great! DS's taster day is early December so we're keeping all fingers and toes crossed... will let you know how we get on.

My son joined in year 4 & is now in year 8. He has ADHD, dyslexia & dyspraxia. At his last school he had very few friends by the time we took him out. At MH he has a lot of friends & gets invited to lots of birthday parties. The boys seem to make friends easily.

It's an outstanding school. I don't know how they achieve what they achieve. Preforming miracles would not be overstating it.

To anyone considering MH I say go & have a look. It's a wonderful school if it's suitable for your son. I know several people who've moved so their son can attend.

Back to check how your DS got along humdrummum?

So, to update...DS2 had his taster session (including 2 nights) at MHS last week and got on really well - he's just been offered a place and we're all thrilled and massively relieved. I still feel a bit funny about the weekly boarding but moving isn't really an option for us at the moment (DS1 will be in year 11 next year). Thankfully DS2 is up for boarding 4 nights a week and the school are very flexible allowing you to take them home for the night whenever you/they want so we'll just have to see how that goes.

Above all, we're hoping MHS will be the kind and supportive environment he needs & will teach him strategies over the next 5+ years which will set him up for a life beyond school. Here's hoping!

Just following this thread with interest in case there are updates- I'm considering More House as an option for my DS who has Dyspraxia- good luck for your sons and so heartened to hear about those
boys who have found the school thats right for them.

Hi. My son went to More House at 11yrs old until Upper 6th. He is dyslexic and has ADHD and More House saved his education and, possibly his life. He went from completely failing with depression to 10 GCSE's and is now working as a Production Manager at a studio plus modelling, making films and pursuing his own photography. We live in Hampton and he took the More House bus everyday which was fine. Neither of us wanted him to board. He kept his local friends and had plenty at school. More House is very unique and life changing for these kids that struggle in mainstream schools. I came across your article by chance doing some research and felt I had to comment. Good luck.

My son has been offered a place at More House starting September 2019 at Y8. Are there any parents here with kids at MH who live in South West London? I’m evaluating options of travelling daily by train versus weekly boarding. As mentioned above, boarding breaks my heart. Any thoughts are much appreciated!

Hi. My son travelled there daily from Hampton for 7 years and it was completely fine. 2 mini buses went from this area. It wouldn't have suited him or us for him to board. He use to leave at 7.15 and get home around 5.30.

Thank you. We’re minibuses provided by School or LA? School said they don’t get involved in transport arrangements.

They were provided by Richmond Council and as he had a full statement, they were paid for.

Any updates of boys that started in September especially in Year 7 as DS going for a taster session soon. I'm mainly worried that academically he won't reach his potential at More House as probably gifted in some areas such as science, music and maths but struggles in English and essay type subjects. He has ADD, ASD and dyspraxia everything except dyslexia!

Hi
I am looking at More House for my son who is 11 (Year7) He has adhd and possibly high functioning autism but to be honest not getting him assessed for that as if he has it he has it and being assessed is not going to change that.
We have not managed to find a school in the state or private system that can really give him what he needs so are now going down the more specialist route,
Would love some current feedback about More House, how your kids have got on there - how you afford it!!! My son would have to board as we are in Scotland - there is no where up here that is so specifically tailored kids who are bright enough to be in mainstream but just not being taught or really understood properly for their issues.
The thought of him boarding is killing me but ultimately I have to do what is right for him and will get him to where he needs to be at the end of his school life. Moving is not an option as we have 3 other kids and a business up here!
Any advice or experiences would be so helpful and really appreciated.
Thanks x

My son was not offer a place for Y6 after paperwork was not done properly and wondering on I can reapply fir Y7
would much appreciated if anyone had similar experiences, thanks