private asd schools, opinions please

[lorryw]

I have just returned from a visit to a new school for autistic chldren opening in a few months time. It is to be a specialist school for pupils aged 4 to 19 with severe to mild autism (according to the blurb).

I went out of curiosity, my son is now 20 and also with the view to perhaps changing jobs.

The setting and building are beautiful, think exclusive country hotel. It must have cost at least several million. However I came away feeling slightly uneasy and I would love to know if others would share my misgivings.

Firstly I find it infuriating that this has to be left to the private sector to obviously see a money making niche in the market. County Councils will now shell out money which could have been spent helping children within the education system.

I have serious doubts about the level of expertise and experience this school will have. It all sounded fairly woolie minded and a little vague. What would be the criteria for mild or severe autism and how would it be possible to teach these children under the same roof. We all know that autism presents itself completely differently in each child, although the underlying difficulties are the same.

The advertisements for staff made no reference at all to any form of qualification or experience of working with autistic children.

Do you think Im right in feeling as I do or am I simply paranoid.

Lorainexx

[fiorelli]

The school lorry is talking about is the one that I went to visit on Tuesday, and which I have posted about here: http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5937

 

It is to be expected that with a new school, no matter whether it be specialist or not, some (if not most) of the teachers/support staff will need training in certain areas. This is one concern that myself and my husband do have with this school, and we are going to find out what training each member of staff will have.

 

Lorry, this is an established 'chain' of schools. yes, there is probably something to do with money about why they are opening in this particular area, but when is anything never about money?

 

The Principal of the school has been with these schools for various years now, and she seemed to 'know her stuff' when we visited.

 

You are right to have your doubts. I have some of my own, but the only way to get answers, is to ask the questions.

[melly]

I see you are a hampshire person, I am in surrey, can you tell me the name of the school? I gather you might have to do a personal message to give me that info

 

Thanks

Melly

[lorryw]

Im so sorry to have upset you. I didnt see your previous thread.

Just call me a hard bitten old cynic.

Lorainex

[fiorelli]

lorry - why would you have upset me?

[katkin]

I think as with any school it is only as good as its staff. I spent (too) many years working in a residential ASD school that is very well known. Some of the staff I would not have been happy leaving my gerbil with let alone my child. Others were absolutely fantastic. And all had varying amounts of qualifications and varying desires to learn.

It is a shame that to get what may be deemed the most suitable provision a parent will have to fight/ go to tribunal to have their child educated in the private sector but funded by the LEA. Yes the money would be far better spent, in my opinion, making provision better in LEA schools whether mainstream or "special" schools.

But then again I am a bit of a cynic too. LorryW, I phoned you to see how you got on but your phone was engaged!! Love Kat

[lorryw]

Me, on the phone, never!

I suppose I went to the school from a different perspective, possible employee rather than parent.

However, none of the job descriptions I saw made any reference to autism related qualifications or experience.

The teaching job description I saw only required at least one years post NQT teaching experience.

Loraine

[Kazzen161]

It is difficult for me to comment, as T is at one of these very expensive schools! I do think it is a shame that so much money is spent on a few children, but they would not be in such schools if they did not need to be. I cannot imagine the LEA running a similar school - they are too money focussed, rather than child focussed.

 

The sister schools of that school have a good reputation, but this seems to be a different type of school for them.

 

When Tony Attwood did a talk in Surrey, ALL the staff at T's school (care and education) were sent to hear it.

 

Karen

[lil_me]

I think as with any school it is only as good as its staff.

 

I agree with Katkin, even non specialist schools depend on staff, not the school/setting/great things intended.

[Kathryn]

I agree that it's a shameful waste of resources. Not just the high fees demanded, but the money wasted in opposing parents who are trying to get their children in. There is no secondary state or private provision in our county at all for those with AS /HFA. Some, like my daughter, end up at the local FE college, and it's pot luck whether the staff have any expertise in ASD. My daughter is happy at the moment, for which we're really grateful. She is however, being well supported by one tutor in particular who is very experienced and has the right "magic touch" - but she is only one person. I worry about how she would cope if this lady left - would all the expertise go with her?

[microsoft_admin]

do they eaven have privete asd scools ?