Help choosing SN school for bright 6yo son with ASD. Open to anywhere in the country

[ChristieB2]

Hello, would love advice from you all. My son needs a special school as he has tried with mainstream twice and it was just not the right setting for him. He is a very gentle boy and advanced in maths, science and languages so I want the school to be good educationally as well as pastorally.
We are happy to move anywhere as our lease expires in 3 months and I work from home.
Recommendations for schools and advice about LAs would be so helpful. There are so many schools out there and I so want him to be happy. I am currently looking at Sussex Edinburgh and Cambridges areas but if the school is right and we will get the funding then anywhere is the right place.
Thanks in advance

@ChristieB2

Alderwasley Hall School in Derbyshire has always had a good reputation. You could also look at Priory Group schools which are all over the country.

From what I have read and heard, LAs are universally crap.Assuming your son has an EHC Plan, you need to be aware that if you change LAs the new LA can decide to carry out their own EHC Needs assessment, which may not necessarily indicate that he needs a specialist placement, so you could have battle.

Information here:

www.ipsea.org.uk/moving-to-a-new-local-authority

Also if you are looking at Edinburgh have you investigated SEN provision in the Scottish education system? EHCPs only exist in England.

More House School in Surrey. But it's an all boys school.

OP's DS is too young for More House.

As well as Alderwasley Hall and Priory group schools have a look at some NAS and Witherslack schools. Also, some of the Cavendish trust schools - I have heard brilliant things about Wilds Lodge, although it is a therapeutic SEMH school a lot of their pupils have ASD. And, Woodcroft school, Essex.

Be aware if you move the new LA can, and often do, reassess, amend or even cease to maintain.

If you move to Edinburgh you would need a CSP rather than an EHCP.

@10brokengreenbottles

OP's DS is too young for More House.

As well as Alderwasley Hall and Priory group schools have a look at some NAS and Witherslack schools. Also, some of the Cavendish trust schools - I have heard brilliant things about Wilds Lodge, although it is a therapeutic SEMH school a lot of their pupils have ASD. And, Woodcroft school, Essex.

Be aware if you move the new LA can, and often do, reassess, amend or even cease to maintain.

If you move to Edinburgh you would need a CSP rather than an EHCP.

OP didn't state her child's age....

Yes she did.

Help choosing SN school for bright 6yo son with ASD.