Bexley grammar for ASD

[Favourismyname]

Not sure if this is the right forum but my son passed the bexley test. He's got ASD but very high functioning with social skills that can be awkward. I just wanted to check if anyone had an experience of the best Bexley grammar that would help him. Thx

[sazdavad]

I am also very interested in this as we are in a similar position. Our son has not yet been diagnosed but is currently being assessed for ADD/ASD (high functioning). He has passed the Bexley test and we will be visiting all the grammars. I'd like him to go to Bexley Grammar as that's where he older brother went, and was very happy there, although he didnt have any ASD traits. I've just found the figures for the numbers of SEN children in each of the Bexley Grammars and Bexley Grammar had the highest (in 2016). If I find any more information i will let you know.

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publ ... -18/49291/

I

[Scrunchse18]

My DD is yr 7 at C&S and has an ASD diagnosis. We had a meeting before she started and they seem very supportive so far. An issue with a couple of children was sorted out very quickly by her form tutor and HOY and she has a pass for the learning support room in case she gets overwhelmed. There are lots of different lunchtime clubs so there’s plenty to do in difficult unstructured time. My DS (also ASD) has also just finished at BGS. As he put it, ‘there’s loads like me here, even if they’re not official’. Not sure about support lower in the school, but it was ok in the sixth form.

[PettswoodFiona]

I am also very interested in this as we are in a similar position. Our son has not yet been diagnosed but is currently being assessed for ADD/ASD (high functioning). He has passed the Bexley test and we will be visiting all the grammars. I'd like him to go to Bexley Grammar as that's where he older brother went, and was very happy there, although he didnt have any ASD traits. I've just found the figures for the numbers of SEN children in each of the Bexley Grammars and Bexley Grammar had the highest (in 2016). If I find any more information i will let you know.

https://www.parliament.uk/business/publ ... -18/49291/

I

You can find out about pupil population including SEN on the compare school site e.g. here is Bexley Grammar that shows 0.6% with an EHCP and 2.6% getting SEN support
2017/18: https://www.compare-school-performance. ... population" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Trufflesnout]

My son attends Bexley Grammar (he has ASD, but no EHCP); my advice would be to speak to the SENCO at each of the open events for the different schools, and also if you can, discreetly ask SEN-specific questions of the different subject teachers when you do the school visits (prior to submitting your application)... We found that in some of the secondaries (selective and non-selective) that we visited, sometimes there are great policies in place, but this doesn't always filter down to teacher understanding or practice in the classroom!

Of those we saw, we preferred Bexley Grammar; the SMT-level teacher responsible for inclusion is really understanding and helpful, the SENCO team are really great (and are very accessible if there is an issue), and pretty much all of the teaching staff that he has encountered are incredibly supportive and understanding. My son had a couple of extra visits and meetings (on top of the standard induction process), which I think really helped reduce his anxiety about starting. I would agree with a previous comment up-thread that there are probably a good number of students with ASD (and non-diagnosed ASD) in BGS (and the other grammars too)..

Good luck with it all... and many congratulations to your children (up-thread) achieving selective standard!

[sazdavad]

That's great to hear. Thanks for your help x

[Favourismyname]

I would like to thank everyone for the great advice and opinions. I've visited Beth's and our tour guide had SEN himself. I would be better informed once I visit the other schools.