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Independent or state mainstream school?

NAS62098

Hi there 

I would be really grateful for any advice. We have been offered help by my parents to send my 7 year old son to private school if we want. My question is do we?   He has no ECHP but is only 7 and coping well so far in his state primary. He does wish the class sizes were smaller though as he sometimes struggles to know what’s going on and needs to be explained things again. He also has the typical social struggles but is so far coping with clown like humour (rather than initiating conversations)

Is independent the answer or in other people’s experiences, his needs will likely get worse and he’ll need more and more help that the independent sector might not provide. Thanks 

  • in reply to NAS62098

    A good way to help his self-esteem is to get him to have a go at activities all the others don't - like taking engines to bits or dismantling clocks or 'seeing what's inside' things - he'll 'know things' that will be impressive.

    There's also 'Alpha' activities that will raise his social status like quad biking or sailing - it can attract others who want to take part.  

    Cubs and Scouts is good too - lots of adult-controlled activities.

  • in reply to Gianfry

    Thanks so much this is really interesting. Not sure we have that much freedom to choose here and my son doesn’t currently qualify for a support teacher as he doesn’t have an ECHP 

    thanks so much for replying 

  • in reply to Plastic

    Thanks so much. I was worried that the school day in private school can be less routine as it involves so much sport, matches and extra curricular activities but I guess that’s still within a routinRelieved My son has told me today that he can’t initiate play abs that his brain goes foggy so we could start some social interaction therapy or something. Thanks so much for your response Relieved

  • GRAB THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH BOTH HANDS!!!

    We sent our daughter to private school from day one - she graduated last year with a 1st (hons)

    The smaller class sizes, enforced discipline, solid routines and well-funded resources make it soooooo much less stress for kids with mild ASD,

    Be careful with his clown-behaviour - the short-term approval will eventually make him the butt of all jokes,

  • Hi, I'll tell you about the experience I had with my son in primary school and I hope it will help you.
    We started with the private school which guarantees a support teacher to primary school. We asked for a sufficient number of support hours with a teacher that we were able to select. Distance and comfort to reach the school was not our priority: we chose primary school based on the interviews we had with the school leaders and above all with the support teacher who seemed really good and motivated to help. my son in the insertion.
    After five years, with the transition to lower secondary school (which here in Italy lasts 3 years) we changed and went to the state school because the private school in this second cycle no longer guaranteed a support teacher. By entering the state school, we simultaneously filed a lawsuit with the court to obtain sufficient support hours (in Italy parents are often forced to sue the Ministry of Education to obtain supplements to support teaching hours).

    I hope I have answered at least in part some of your questions.