Hi everyone
I'm new to the site and would like to ask for views on secondary school choices.
My daughter is in Year 4. Due to strong advocacy at an early age we were lucky to get a diagnosis and full time statement which she still has. She would probably be described as 'higher functioning' (I don't like that phrase), and with the close support in class (and intensive therapy of various sorts at home over several years) she is doing well and keeping up academically. However she struggles socially and needs encouragement to join in, and she doesn't yet have any real continuing friendships or rapport with peers in school. I am guessing that, come year 7, she is still going to need a high level of academic support to access the teaching, and will continue to be vulnerable socially.
We have a number of state schools near us (North Hampshire). There are is also a private school that I would consider looking at due to lower class sizes although it would be a stretch financially and on top of the fees I guess that - unless we could agree a contribution from the LEA - we would probably have to pay for extra support on top. I doubt given the progress she has made that we could make out a strong case for the LEA to pay for independent schooling/ that the local schools could not meet her needs.
I have two questions:-
- does anyone on this forum have experience of the local secondary schools in North Hampshire in terms of how children with ASD have fared / the experience of the SENCOs in particular schools?
- has anyone had experience of state vs private secondary schooling for children on the milder end of the spectrum - any thoughts on whether it is worth the money to go private? I'm wondering in particular whether as a general rule state schools may be better set up to look after children with ASD, given that they have a duty to meet the needs of our children? I wonder whether at some private schools a parent might feel like the school is doing them a favour/ has to focus just as much on all its 'fee paying' (non SEN) customers?
Any feedback and experiences would be of great interest!
thanks in advance
