What is ADHD? ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition that affects people’s behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse. (www.nhs.uk) Symptoms of ADHD tend to be noticed before years old and may become more noticeable when a child’s circumstances change, such as when they […]
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There is a huge amount of pressure when it comes down to choosing the right school for your child. This pressure is compounded when you are choosing a school for a child with Autism or ADHD.
The priority of course is understanding the child’s individual needs and choosing the right learning environment where they can learn and thrive. The challenge is finding the school that will meet your child’s needs and help them to flourish.
Choosing the right school for your child
Here are three areas that may help act as a starting point in your journey.
Listening to personal experiences and accounts from friend and other parents
1st hand experiences and recommendations are important
remember your child’s needs and expectations may differ
Research
Look up the school’s individual policies around SEND
Their approach to pastoral support
Focus of the school on academic and personal successes
Visit schools’ and council’s websites
Visiting the school itself with your child
Use the open days to look around the school with your child and get a feel for the school spirit
Review the facilities and layout of the school
Look at the size of cohort
Indoor and outdoor space
Proximity to the transport
Ask to speak separately with relevant, knowledgeable people i.e. the class teachers, Heads of years and SENCo
Areas to consider when choosing a school for a child with Autism or ADHD
Consider what support your child needs and will their specific learning needs be met in the right way?
Pastoral support
SEN approach and integration in the classroom
Day in the life of a student?
OFSTEAD report results
Academic success has the school had
Resources and facilities are available in school
What will the transition look?
Familiarity of other students from their current school be going
Do they know anyone already there?
Can you organise a school visit – with peers and parents?
What are the practical logistics of the school?
Working independently
Class and school size
Logistics of getting to and from school?
Considerations for choosing the right school for your child
If you’re children are a little way off ‘big school’ and you are wondering where to start, then below are a few considerations
Talk to your child – what do they think, what have they heard, where are their friends going, what concerns do they have?
Research local schools via their website and local social media forums on Facebook
Visit schools / virtual open days
See what your existing SENCo or Head thinks
Meet with new staff who would be working with your child to understand their approach
Talk to other primary and secondary school parents
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