Priory education services?

[bonkerz]

Are these schools any good?
Just found out there is one very close to me for ages 8-16 children on the autistic spectrum. DS is only 7 but its looking very unlikely he will be able to stay in mainstream without full time support which isnt going to happen if im honest!
Has anyone experianced thes schools?

I'd be interested in this too. There's one relatively close to me, it opened up in September, it's something I've had to give more thought to just recently as well, I'm considering going along to have a look myself. I've not long been back from holiday and came across your other thread, I'm sorry things aren't looking too hopeful for you and your ds.

thanks for the reply. I really dont know where to go for help. We are stuck in limbo as no formal diagnosis means support is limited and it seems to be taking an eternity to get diagnosed which means we are all (school and home) dealing with issues blind IYKWIM. School are concerned that they are not dealing with DS right and that they may actually harm DS because of this.
I have just emailed the priory school near me and the head has said he may be able to help with training etc. Am trying to arrange to go meet him in 2 weeks.

I visited two priory schools. The one in Frome (Forest Hill????) and Farleigh College which is nearby. The Forest Hill one was impressive and very good for academic aspies. I thought the outside space was limited though and it was a bit cramped inside. BUT the quality of the education and care was very good. Farleigh I got less of an idea as it was an inset day and there was a lot of furniture moving going on. Another parent I met really liked it. We decided both of these were too far away from us even given DS1 boarding so didn't pursue but may well have done with the one in Frome had we lived out that way.

There is a new priory one opening or has opened near Godalming and I would love to know more about it as that is a bit more our way. There is nothing on their website.

One of DS2's tutors worked at the Frome school and said it was fab. I've looked at the website as we live nearby but they only take boys with an AS dx and DS2 has ASD.

i feel like i would be silly not to investigate the one near us as it is literally within 5 miles.

Bonkerz, there is also another alternative very near you which takes children from year 5. I don't want to give too much away as its pretty easy to ID me and my child. They take a range of children who are cognitively normal, ie, could be aspies, asd, dyspraxics, dyslexics. The quality of the therapy is fantastic. Let me know if you want more info.

hi flying mum. IS THERE? let me know some info please!!

flying mum, do you know me?

YES YES YES!!!!!!

DS goes to a priory education school,now bearing in mind he didnt go to school for 2 years, he LOVES it!!!

he is a changed child. he is so happy and full of confidence,this school is brilliant, they have recently started taking children with an ASD albeit high functioning, i would definately go and visit the one nearest to you.

I have an appt to visit the new Priory school on 8th Nov. Looks like I might be reasonably close to you macwoozy. I will come and report back if you like. My ds has Aspergers and is having a very hard time fitting into school. I have recently changed my name, I was RoundTheBend by the way.

thanks. I have made an appointment for friday to met with the head at the priory school close to me. DS is not 8 till next july BUT this head thinks he may be able to help with training issues and to help the school with handling ds when he is having his melt downs etc. Am really not sure DS will be able to function in his new school as they excluded him friday due to his behaviour. Have reintergration meeting with school head monday and am going to discuss the priory with her then.

Bonkerz
I don't think I do know you we live in the same county I think but I'm on the other side to you. Please let me know what you think of the Priory school. Email me on [email protected] and I'll give you more info on the other school which is a possibility for you.

All the best.

Sorry Bonkerz, going loopy. [email protected]

have emailed oyu flyingmum.

Bonkerz and Candlewax, I'd be really interested in hearing what you thought about the school. Although not good to hear that they only accept an AS diagnosis. Like sphil, my ds was also diagnosed with ASD, but if he were to be diagnosed today, he might well fit an AS diagnosis, I wonder how strict they are with this.

Bonkerz and Candlewax, how did the school visits go at the Priory? Were you impressed?

hi, i was VERY impressed with the school. The one local to me only had 3 pupils at the time and costs 60K a year BUT it was beautiful. They employ staff who can take the children through to GCSE level and it felt very nice. Since my meeting (was there for 3 hours!) The deputy has rang a few times and offered advice about strategies and also the head is helping with LEA stuff as he used to work as a head for mainstream and had to fight LEA on lots of SN issues. Absolutely brilliant school and ethos.

Thanks for that bonkerz. That sounds really positive, and how impressive that the meeting lasted 3 hours