Y8 at great specialist sch, but academically going backwards time for new school.

[ZeeZeeZee]

Hey - I am new to this, and looking for some insight into potential school for Y8 with EHCP (mild ASD, trauma, mild dyslexia, anxiety)

• Y8 started at new specialist secondary this year (EHCP: Mild ASD high functioning, bright highly motivated, mild dyslexia, trauma secondary to bullying at mainstream).

• Lots of clubs outside of sch doing v well. Sociable and confident a lot of the time.

Making A LOT of progress to the point we are having to think about moving him to more academic environment with less behavioural issues. The school are excellent pastorally and in dealing with SN and worlds away from his last Surrey specialist school, but he has been saying since he got there that he isn't learning anything and I saw for the first time his English folder last weekend and was shocked as it looked like work he was producing 3 years ago. Clear he is going backwards academically (every maths lesson doing practice GCSE papers while rest of class is taught different level) and doesn't benefit from being the 'most motivated and cognitively competent in the class' when his peers hate school and hate that he loves it. Becoming clear he cannot stay to begin Y9 on GCSE track.

We are in Surrey.

Any ideas? I would love to hear from anyone with exposure to More House, St Dominics, or independent schools that are sometimes said to be SEN friendly like Dunottar in Reigate or Box Hill in Dorking.

Thank you in advance.

More House seems to get some good GCSE and A level results. However, if your son hasn't been at his current school for long, are you sure you want to move him again so quickly? Might it be better to talk to them about how they can stretch him more academically?

He Gersemi - thanks for your reply. I know it seems counter intuitive. Even if I were to make moves now it would take til Sept 2019 to move him, so I am thinking about what I need to do to get him there with a good collaborative transition, rather than pull him out quickly. I have spoken to sch last week about this, and the point has been made, so they need to respond. His tutor is wondering about putting him with year group or two above (which doesn't help for GCSE's), one tutor was asked what would happen if he were to go to mainstream - she said maybe a small nurturing independent school with small classes may be successful whilst she was concerned for his social vulnerability within that.

That is why I was thinking More House, as it would be academically the stretch, but they have in-built SpLD cognisance, but socially maybe a little challenging perhaps? I have heard professionals say 'ohh it is a little tough', which could mean many things.

Does this resonate with anyone on this forum?

Hi,
Our DS has recently started at a special school, having left mainstream mid yr7 then spent rest of 7and all of 8 at home doing online school.

The only special school available to us logistically is absolutely lovely and he has really reduced his anxiety since starting there 4 weeks ago.

However, I’m concerned he won’t be able to choose many GCSEs and that his lessons aren’t academic enough. People here on SN chat have said to me that getting him settled and not stressed is more important initially than worrying about academics.

I think special schools have to offer English maths and science but i think (as in our case), that might mean him going with a TA to another nearby mainstream school for lessons. They did say to us though that they might look at ‘buying in’ a secondary specialist teacher. Is that an option at your ds’ school?

If he is happy socially and moving him back to mainstream may make him vulnerable to bullying/melt downs/being unhappy etc, you could ask what alternative provision they could make to allow him to study more academically at his level. Specialist schools are so good at the sensory/social/communication side of schooling that mainstream schools often just don’t do well.

thanks Verbina 37.

I know it is hard isn't it - is has to be a v calculated risk, and the cost is so high if it goes wrong. He gets threatened and punched by kids who have other special needs and clearly behavioural issues too, and this is taking its toll on him also.

Anyone else encounter this?

Hi OP, my DS (EHCP, ASD) started at More House this term (year 7). He's settled in really quickly. We are very impressed with the staff, who are incredibly supportive. Some boys there do sometimes exhibit challenging behaviour (in line with their diagnoses) but this is always dealt with swiftly. There's a real focus on pupil wellbeing too. My DS is being challenged academically, and is involved in a couple of extra-curricular clubs (there's a huge choice of fun stuff to do). Feel free to PM me for more info.