Experience of north hampshire schools/ independent vs state

[Becca]

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

[Kathryn]

Hi Becca

 

Welcome to the forum and hope you find it helpful.

 

Modertor hat on for a moment: Can I ask that people don't name specific schools or individuals on this thread but pm Becca with your views. Thanks

 

I've got no experience of the schools in that region but hopefully you'll get some responses. Regarding private vs maintained schools generally, I think it very much depends on the school and the amount and nature of SEN support a child needs, so it's difficult to generalise. Yes you would expect a maintained school to be more geared up to support a child with ASD and other SEN, and the law places specific obligations on governing bodies to do so, so there is a greater level of accountability. However the reality of budget cuts mean that schools are struggling and the outside support services are overstretched so what is down on paper doesn't always happen.

 

Private mainstream schools are so variable - many children with ASD thrive simply because the enironment is better: classes are small and there is usually therefore more support, earlier detection of problems, better discipline, a calmer atmosphere and more scope for pupils to follow their individual interests. Not all are good at supporting pupils who need a greater level of specialist support than this: I suppose it would depend on their previous experience of pupils with ASD and yes, some don't appear to want pupils who are going to be "high maintenance" and may limit their participation in school activities or even exclude them altogether rather than deal with challenging behaviour. I've spoken to parents with good and bad experiences.

 

As your daughter has a statement, that level of provision is secure wherever she is placed. You may be able to convince the LA to pay the fees for an independent school, but it won't be easy. Parents have done it. It usually comes down to money in the end. It would help if you could show evidence that she would need a higher level of support in a maintained school than she would in an independent school, therefore the independent school would be cheaper overall.

 

I don't know if that helps any, Becca. The best way is to research thoroughly all the possible schools in your area: talk to SENCO's get hold of SEN and equality policies and talk to parents - just as you are doing.

 

K x

[bid]

You can also find independent schools that specialise in things like dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc, without going for the full-on HFA/AS specialist placements.

 

They tend to have fees within the norm for independent 'mainstream' schools, whereas independent special schools for HFA/AS have funding bands that far exceed what any individual could afford, hence the need for LA/SS funding dependent on a Statement and funding agreement, etc.

 

Years ago I knew of someone who sent their son who had dyspraxia to such a small independent school and they were very pleased with things. We also looked at another such school when my son was a very little boy, and would have loved to have sent himn there but just couldn't afford it.

 

Just another area to look at. I would start with googling Gabbitas, as they hold information on all varieties of independent schools.

 

Bid