ASD Child

[Ruby1001]

Hi I am looking for a suitable secondary school for my DC who should with support be able to study for GCSEs. I have been looking at some of the SEN schools where some of them do not necessarily follow the national curriculum. Does anyone have a child in a secondary school (special or mainstream) where they are studying for GCSEs and were given additional support? I am based in London but would relocate for the right school.

@Ruby1001

If you're looking for Specialist have a look at the Priory Group. Our son went to one of their FE colleges which offered GCSEs and A levels so their schools probably offer similar.

www.priorychildrensservices.co.uk/schools-and-colleges/

You may also want to consider if there are other needs that require social skills programmes or therapies, as they are more likely to be available in special schools.

The other thing to consider with specialist autism provision, is that all staff understand and are trained to work with students with autism. This can be a bit hit and miss in mainstream. If you're going for MS you really need to make sure they understand autism and will be prepared to be flexible over policies, as things like homework and school uniform can be problematic.

I have read so many sad posts on here about children stressed out in mainstream schools because the schools fail to make reasonable adjustments and expect their autistic children to fit in with everyone else and adhere rigorously to school policies that are totally inappropriate.

That said, I have heard good reports about Alexandra Park School from parents of children with ASD.

Yes, I am worried about putting him in a mainstream school in case it does not work out. Some children in our School have gone to North Dulwich Charter School which seems to take children with ASD. Not much on their website though, and I do not know anyone who has left to go to college. Covid has made it difficult to get a feel for a school so I am relying on virtual opening days which is not the same.

Does your DC have an EHCP? The majority of special schools don't allow parents to self fund. Be aware if you move the new LA will review and potentially amend or cease the EHCP or reassess.

As well as Priory schools look at some of NAS, Witherslack and Cavendish's schools. Also, Alderwasley Hall. If DC is a DS there's Breckenbrough and if a DD Limpsfield Grange.

Yes, he does have an EHCP. I don't think the LA can just stop the EHCP since my child will only be 11 in secondary school.

Unfortunately that isn't correct.

If you move LA there is the potential that when the new LA review the EHCP they will cease to maintain it. Although, you would have the right of appeal and the new LA must continue to maintain the EHCP until the appeal is settled.

Even staying within the LA does not 100% guarantee that the LA won't try to cease maintaining the EHCP. Again you would have the right of appeal.