SEN support in Latymer/QE/DAO/MHCHS

[Jerusha]

I would be very interested in opinions regarding SEN support in these North London selective schools.

I have a good friend whose son is diagnosed with Asperger sy/ autism. He is very very good in maths and just secured a place at QE (with very high score, no tutpring at all) and also in Latymer. He has EHCP and they need to decide about schools within 2 weeks. They are considering DAO and MHCHS as well where he did not have to sit the exam because of the EHCP.

His mum is concerned about the support he might receive in these school and she finds it very hard to choose.
He is academically brilliant and would not have any problems with the stretch and he in fact longs for challenges (finds his current primary very boring). However, his behaviour can be a problem. He is not agressive at all and is getting on with his peers very well. However, he is very stubborn and often refuses to follow the teachers' instructions and sometimes choses not to do a task if he finds it unreasonable or too easy.

Perhaps he would love the challenges at QE but his behaviour might not be tolerated there, and her mum really would like him to go to a school where he can thrive and achieve his potential, but also the school's approach would be tolerant enough.

She has scheduled meetings with the senco-s in all schools in the next 2 weeks, but it would be very heplful if someone had first-hand experience with the schools - especially QE.

[Stokers]

My son is at QE and I am a SENCO at a different school. When we went on our tour, we happened to be escorted by the current SENCO. They didn't, at that point, have any EHCP students at the school but she indicated that there were a number of students who might be considered to be on the autistic spectrum who were happy in the school. However, it is a school that relies on students following instructions and complying with the rules and this is stressed at all parent events.

Having said this, all and any school must demonstrate that it is and has made reasonable adjustments to its policies and procedures to take account of special needs and this must include behavioural support. Indeed, schools should treat EHCP/SEN students more favourably, if necessary, to enable them to manage within the school environment. In my school, this manifests as a parallel behaviour policy with a couple more steps and an emphasis on learning breaks and reflection rather than immediate consequences and silent, inactive detentions. In addition, identified students can bring fidget toys into lessons and can reasonably expect differentiated homework and visual as well as verbal instructions.

Your friend's approach is right - meet the SENCO and gauge their attitude. Whilst she should have high expectations of 'how' a school should behave, at the end of the day, she shouldn't sacrifice her child's wellbeing. A talented and hard working child will do well at any school; a child with EHCP/special needs will only do well at a school that is inclusive and supportive of their individual support requirements.

[Jerusha]

Thank you Stokers for the answer. Certainly something to think about....! Not very encouraging regarding QE..

[Stokers]

I didn't mean to be disparaging of QE - I think it's a great school and my DS has never had any issues with behaviour. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a school that didn't expect students to follow rules and instructions! My point was that ALL schools need to make reasonable adjustments and, even if the school suggests that the student will have to comply, this is not lawful. I know of some local comprehensives that are much more uncompromising in their published approach to behaviour and implicitly discourage EHCP students from applying as a result.

[isthisonetaken]

The SENCO at Latymer is very new to the job as the former retired in the summer but I think your friend will be impressed with Latymer's attitude to SEN. You could summarise it as: "just because you're clever doesn't mean you don't have difficulties in other aspects of life". Not sure how many pupils have plans (suspect close to zero) but can tell you that many will be on the spectrum or have other issues, with diagnoses or not. The school is tolerant of differences and quirkiness. It has balance, not only as it is co-educational but it is not purely about academic achievement but music (truly fantastic), sport, drama, clubs, charity and enjoying living life are all seen as just as important. You also see some mixture in the social and economic background of the pupils and families, a few from very modest means. Perhaps the less than salubrious neighborhood helps with this and IMHO this overall diversity makes the school a bit more liberal and celebrates difference. I'm sure the other schools will have their charms too, but Latymer has nurturing qualities and pupils will still enjoy being challenged in maths, etc!

[loobylou]

I'm only replying here because you haven't had any DAO response - I don't have enough knowledge to answer your question as fully as you need. Your friend definitely needs to meet all the SENCOs and get a feel for what they say.
There definitely are children with EHCPs at DAO. I had a long chat with one parent whose child was getting 1:1 support and who was very happy. However their reasons for the EHCP were completely different from your friend's. There are other children with additional needs (eg dyslexia, physical disabilities) who get support. There are certainly children with ASD but I have no idea what level of support they require.
My instinct is that the other children are liberal and accepting of most things but many find it difficult to tolerate their own learning being disrupted. I can't tell from your original post how likely this is. I imagine this would be similar in other schools and not specific to a particular school.
It would be interesting to other future parents to get a sense of what she felt about the SENCO response when she's met them.

[Aspiemum]

Many thanks to everyone who answered, it was very helpful! Just to let those who might be interested in this topic know: I was on the verge of letting QE go (despite the high score) as I felt my son's wellbeing might be the least certain there...
Then, I had a meeting with DAO senco + HM, where they practically did everything to convince me NOT to apply there. They said my son would be bored in DAO as they have mixed ability classes and spend a whole year with revision to help those who didn't come through the selective route. They said that they have no proper SEN department and none of the teaching assistants involved had training in this. They said that he should apply to QE or Latymer. And they said that they are always surprised when parents say that the pastoral care is brilliant in DAO - they don't understand (!) where this comes from...

Something to think about regarding this school.

[mitasol]

https://www.compare-school-performance. ... population" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
They have over 7% SEN population according to the Gov website so they must have some provision in place.

[Aspiemum]

They were talking about my son’s needs especially.

[ToadMum]

https://www.compare-school-performance. ... population
They have over 7% SEN population according to the Gov website so they must have some provision in place.

I have this niggling memory of someone once reporting back from a DAO open evening that an attempt was made to put off parents of DC with SEN from considering the school? ('Only able to afford a very small SEN dept, unlikely to be able to meet needs'??).

ETA- found it:
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum ... ds#p713914

On the open day, before DD was diagnosed, I remember the Head saying that SEN was limited at the school and parents of DC who require support should look elsewhere.