School suggestions needed for Essex and surrounding

[ameliapond]

Long story short, my daughter who is in year 8, academically able, with ASD and very likely, PDA, has no school place. The LEA have approached Duececroft, the Helen Allison, Anderson, YEEP, Exceptional Ideas, Bromfords ASD hub, who have all said no to places, either due to being full, no compatible peer group, academic levels, and behaviour (result of being unable to cope and the most likely pda). We are in Basildon, Essex, and I'm coming at a blank for schools now. She has approval for Indi SS which is helpful, because there are no state schools that can meet her needs, despite living in an area with a lot of specialist schools, she is too academic for them all, and we tried the more academic one, with them not giving her work to her level, or when they did, they expected her to complete it alone, despite what her ehcp stated.

Oh god I feel for you. It’s so hard on schools. But I don’t think they can say they’re full. Best to speak to Ipsea. How far could she travel? I know a great school in Suffolk but it would be at least an hour for you. Have you looked across county? Harlow has passmores. Is that an option?

I was going to suggest Bromfords but I see that's a no go. There's another hub in Coggeshall. I know parents who have DC in Thriftwood and Treetops and only hear good things, but I don't think either offer the academic side. There's also a National Autistic Society school in Chigwell, the Anderson School, but I don't know anything about the school at all.

I hope you manage to find somewhere suitable.

Try Churchill school in Suffolk - this is more for higher functioning autism.

Hi have you tried st Christopher’s in Southend, mayflower in I think Billericay, Grove House in Brentwood,
My son has Aspergers/asd, odd and there are no schools that cater for his needs evan the one he’s in are struggling.
They are trying to open a school for higher functioning needs in wickford called Takiwatanga but their waiting for LA to approve it.
There’s a fb group for asd,adhd in basildon are you a member?
Hope this helps x

MumDebtoJK, st Christopher's is a no go, she won't cope at mayflower and grove house was crossed off the list the year it opened due to them not having the provision to handle meltdowns. I've heard of the Takiwanga school, but think it's more geared towards the anxiety side of ASD, my daughter is very anxious but this shows as challengimg behaviour. I also am in that group.

FrayedHem, Anderson school have refused her, it was my first choice because they can cope with profiles like my daughter. Thriftwood and treetops are out too, due to her academic needs, when she does do work, she works at her age level and higher.

KateGrey, Suffolk would be doable as a residential option depending on travel time, although resi brings it's own challenges. Will look at Passmores.

Cansu, shall take a look at that one.

The thing that makes school places harder is her behaviour, she is very challenging when her anxiety is high and she has lost confidence in the staff, or if she picks up on the slightest hint that they want to give up on her. She will also push people to test them to see if they do give up with her, which she has experienced a lot in the past sadly.

There is also a residential school called Gretton in Cambridge which could be an option.

What about Limpsfield grange in Surrey? That’s boarding. I was thinking of Churchill but it’s not boarding. Have you taken your dd to the schools? The trouble is it’s so hard getting the right school to help with behaviour but will meet academic need.

D'oh just seen you'd already put the Anderson had refused her. Like KateGrey suggested maybe try IPSEA or SOS!SEN on what your best move is. Have you seen any school's you think DD would be right for DD?

If boarding is an option, look at Centre Academy East Anglia in Suffolk.

This website can help you find a school. www.specialneedsuk.org/findaschool.asp