Oxfordshire special school for HFA & PDA son

[MrsBB1982]

Hi,

We're at our wits end. DS is in Year 3.jist started at mainstream state primary having been in 2 private schools for YR to Y2. Long story but didn't work out due to behaviour. Chose private before diagnosis as we thought he'd prefer small. Class sizes.

Now moved to his local primary since diagnosis but still a disaster. He's starting reduced hours this week (2.5 hours a day).

It's been suggested we get him assessed for ADHD and start looking at special schools.

He's incredibly intelligent and when calm he loves to work. We're looking around our area (Oxford) and not sure what the provision is like.

We can see there's Woodeaton, Chilworth and LVS. Does anyone have experience of these. We're really keen to get t lhe right place for him. He's highly anxious and can be challenging (physical and verbal) but want to ensure he can thrive academically too.

Thank you
From two very sad and stressed parents!

Does he have an EHCP? You would need this before a special school placement would be given so this should be your priority. Not in your area so can't advise about specific schools but do not dismiss EBD (Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties) schools. ds1 (ASC and challenging behaviour) thrived in one of these. The pre-diagnosis stage is incredibly stressful but it does get better once you get good support in place at school.

Hi. Thanks for your reply. He has an EHCP but an emergency review is being organised as its nowhere near meeting his needs

Hi MrsBB1982 - interested in any information you may have gathered. Woodeaton was mentioned to me today by an Inclusion Officer at a mainstream primary.
We're in a similar position to you - DS is Yr2 on a reduced timetable for emotional and behavioural difficulties. EHCP currently being applied for. Investigating all options at present.

Hi Pandabiscuit - interestingly things are different at the moment. The reduced timetable is working really well. He's getting therapy every day. His EHCP only covers 1:1 support for 21 hours a week but the school are topping up from their SEN budget so he has a full time 1:1. He's been gradually building his hours since November and we're hopeful he's going back full time next week.

I think the key thing for him was breaking the cycle and drastically reducing the demands on him. Now he's feeling safer at the school and trusts them to let him go to his safe space when he feels stressed.

I'm not naive, there will be ups and downs but thanks to his new (mainstream) school actually feel like he's making progress - baby steps!

I really hope there is light at the end of your tunnel - it's a lonely path to tread when your child is repeatedly excluded. I'd be interested to know where your child is at school. Happy for you to PM me x

For any special school you will need an EHCP. School should help you get one but you can do it yourself. Be warned the whole process can take months or years.

We are in Oxfordshire with a 10 yr old HFA. He goes to Northern House in Summertown. He started in yr 5 following years of deterioration in mainstream primary. It's nominally a SEMH school but most of the kids are autistic. It's going really well.

There is limited provision for HFA in Oxfordshire, especially primary. Once you have an EHCP sorted if county agree you need special school it's most likely to be Northern House they would suggest. You can request other schools but might have to go to tribunal to get a different school especially if private.

LVS is secondary only.

Woodeaten is lovely but the primary part very small and places very limited. A bit easier to get in for secondary. We have been told our son is likely to fit in well there when he leaves Northern House.

Chilworth is private so you'd have more of a battle with the local authority if you wanted that.

There are several mainstream primaries with specialist units attached - Marston would be closest if you're in Oxford city.

I'm not sure what support you have already but if your son could manage in MS with extra support such as full time 1:1you could consider that. You would probably need an EHCP for that too.

Sorry I see you have an EHCP already OP, and quite alot of support in MS. I hope you find the best setting for your son.