Choosing a non-local school

Status
Not open for further replies.
Dave Herbal

Dave Herbal

Striker
I always imagined that my kids would just go to the nearest secondary school and that was that. However, as the oldest has some ASD issues, we’ve been recommended that he goes to a school with a specialist SEN unit, which basically means Farra or Biddick. Now I’m sure either of these would be better for his academic future, but I’m more concerned about the social aspect.
The friends he would make at these schools would, i imagine, mostly come from those catchment areas, both of which are too much of a hike if he wanted to see his mates outside of school. Therefore he’s gonna have to make friends with people round ours who will all go to monkeyhouse, and I’m worried about him being an outsider. All of my post-school mates went to my school, so I’ve got no experience of this. Also, if people find out he goes to a school with an SEN unit, I’m concerned about him being labelled as a daft kid or a spaz.
Has anyone also faced this situation and how did it work out for you/your kids?
 


Dave Herbal said:
I always imagined that my kids would just go to the nearest secondary school and that was that. However, as the oldest has some ASD issues, we’ve been recommended that he goes to a school with a specialist SEN unit, which basically means Farra or Biddick. Now I’m sure either of these would be better for his academic future, but I’m more concerned about the social aspect.
The friends he would make at these schools would, i imagine, mostly come from those catchment areas, both of which are too much of a hike if he wanted to see his mates outside of school. Therefore he’s gonna have to make friends with people round ours who will all go to monkeyhouse, and I’m worried about him being an outsider. All of my post-school mates went to my school, so I’ve got no experience of this. Also, if people find out he goes to a school with an SEN unit, I’m concerned about him being labelled as a daft kid or a spaz.
Has anyone also faced this situation and how did it work out for you/your kids?
Click to expand...
It depends on the level of support that he might need. In my opinion and experience, if not a lot of support is needed then inclusivity in mainstream education is better for all.
 
Abu Dhabi Red and White said:
It depends on the level of support that he might need. In my opinion and experience, if not a lot of support is needed then inclusivity in mainstream education is better for all.
Click to expand...
They are mainstream schools. It’s just that they have a unit of trained people to fall back on if the normal staff can’t cope. We’ve tried mainstream primary and he basically produced zero work in a year. He needs almost 1 to 1 supervision.
 
My son didn't go to the same school as his classmates when he left primary. But he still plays in the same football team as them, and social media /Xbox live etc means staying in touch is doddle
 
Dave Herbal said:
They are mainstream schools. It’s just that they have a unit of trained people to fall back on if the normal staff can’t cope. We’ve tried mainstream primary and he basically produced zero work in a year. He needs almost 1 to 1 supervision.
Click to expand...
Then, I think the schools with the unit sound the best mate unless you can afford to get some home tuition.
Other kids from your area may travel to the school. Also, he might end up with a double choice of friends - local from his old school and ones from the new area.
 
Bedders said:
My son didn't go to the same school as his classmates when he left primary.
Click to expand...
Mine did the same. Still sees quite a few kids from his primary school and has new mates too. I would focus on choosing what you think is the right school for him, other stuff will fall into place. While I don't think you should put the decision entirely in his hands, it helps if he actually wants to go to one of these other schools. Make sure you go to all the open nights, speak to the teachers (and/or SEN coordinators) at each of them, and make your decision together (but letting him know that you have the final say). Good luck.
 
I lived in Bishop but went to school in Durham so pretty much all me friends were miles away.

Was a bit annoying but nowt more than that really.
 
There's two primary schools in our village - the LEA one and the Catholic one. Most of the LEA pupils go to one of two secondary schools in Chester le Street or Birtley, while the Catholic pupils go to either Durham, Washington or Wrekenton. Even though they're spread around various schools, my lot have grown up with different sets of friends for hanging around at school with and hanging around at home. It's not really been a problem.

Biddick is decent for SEN. My friends autistic son is there and he absolutely loves it.
 
Discopants91 said:
I lived in Bishop but went to school in Durham so pretty much all me friends were miles away.

Was a bit annoying but nowt more than that really.
Click to expand...

I lived in Bishop and went to Barney. I only really got on with some of the people on my bus and an assorted few at school.
Everyone else was a dick :lol:
 
Dave Herbal said:
Will be an improvement on the 0 sets he currently has mind.
Click to expand...
You worry for them so it's hard, but kids are resiliant and just get on with whatever situation they find themselves in. I understand the worry though, but as this post shows you care enough and will do what you need to do to make sure he will see friends even if there is some travel. He will be fine.
 
The students who attend the "Arms" units come from all over the borough in the school i work with. Last thing on their minds is making mates socially due to ASC, but are happy enough to chat to each other on line.
The main Sen school, again the kids come from all over the borough and once they are travel trained / travel independently they meet up on weekends
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Back
Top