SEN schools

[simonethebeaver]

Does anyone have any experience of relatively local SEN secondaries? We're looking across all South London boroughs really, for a school which has a mix of kids, not with profound learning disabilities. I'm talking to lots but it would be good to hear from parents/families, by PM if you'd prefer. Thanks.

[brezzo]

Not many SEN secondaries, best to visit mainstream schools and ask for SENCO. Take along any docs regarding your child, especially any "statement"

[simonethebeaver]

Hi, thanks, and thanks for all the PMs. I will try to reply to them as soon as I can. I'm on my phone at the moment and hate using it for PMs!

She is already at a mainstream secondary but her problems are now too severe. Her current school agrees and in fact tried to refuse to have her back. Her statement is out of date but Southwark are prepared to try to help. We are looking at as many schools as we can and obviously it's harder to get informal opinions on them than mainstream schools as so few children attend them.

[johnhinton]

Hi Simone,

My daughter has special needs and was well looked after at DVIS, then at Cherry Gardens and has now begun settling in at Tuke School (http://www.tukeschool.co.uk/). We saw the head just before the end of last term (she did a home visit, along with my daughter's new form teacher) and we were impressed by their courtesy and commitment. The school is in Southwark and is a new building (opened last year), with terrific facilities. However, the school does cater for children with "severe, profound and complex" learning disabilities and your child may not fall into that category.

All the best

john

[simonethebeaver]

Hi John

Many thanks for that. We have already looked at Tuke and it looks amazing, and I hope your daughter enjoys her time there immensely. Tuke would meet some of her needs, but I think socially and emotionally it's not a fit.

We are taking her this week to meet the headteacher at St Giles, in Croydon. It tooks very promising on its website, has a glowing Ofsted, and the staff have been friendly and helpful on the phone. I don't suppose anyone has experience of it, either as a parent or staff? I just have my fingers crossed that they can take her, as we need to move her urgently.