schools for children with high functioning autism

[lindajphilips]

Can anyone recommend a school for a senior student with high functioning autism? The family are based in Hertfordshire but there is nothing local so they are looking out of county which probably means a residential school. Any advice gratefully received!

To be honest I think there are very few in the country that specialise in that but have you tried the Cambian Group. I've known high functioning children with autism do well at Egerton Rothersay School in Berkhamsted.

Hi - thanks so much for your response. Unfortunately Egerton Rothersay is full otherwise it would definitely have been a contender.

If it's a girl, Limpsfield Grange?

Unfortunately not a girl! Wouldn't it be lovely if we could have a Limpsfield Grange for boys / co-ed?

I can't recommend (or advise against) it but Whinfell in Cumbria is a residential boys only Aspie school. We placed one boy there when I used to work as an SEN Officer and he did fine. Long way though

How old?

Try the Priory Group.

www.priorychildrensservices.co.uk/availability/

Our son is in one of their FE colleges and doing brilliantly.

Watford Grammar School for Boys has a higher than average number of pupils who are on the autism spectrum (quite a few name it on their EHCP) and a strong learning support department who are experienced with ASD.

More House Frensham Surrey

If you're up for residential school, Grately or Northease Manor could be possibilities.

Sadly I can't recommend ds1's HFA school as it is changing its pupil profile in response to falling pupil numbers. His last day today.

Anyway some in the West Midlands area that have not been suggested yet are High Grove and Alderwasley both in Derbyshire. Both take boys and girls.

If you can consider day schools then the Island Project (near Coventry) and New Elizabethan (Kidderminster) take this profile of student. There is also relatively new schools opened up in Dudley and Birmingham.

You might also consider widening your search and consider EBD type schools as some of these nominally under this category do very well with children with HFA like Breckenborough in North Yorkshire (boys only and residential), Longdon Hall near Lichfield and Sunfield (West Midlands). My knowledge is a bit out of date as we were looking six years ago.

I am assuming the child has an EHCP as the fee's for all of these schools are ££££.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. I'll have a look and hopefully one will suit. Much appreciated!

The child does have an EHCP but the next step will be convincing the LEA to fund an out of county placement. Thank you again to everyone for your help!