Hi, I'm new to this website having recently had my eldest son (8) diagnosed as having an ASD (high functioning). He may need a seperate diagnosis of ADHD (being reviewed) and has several pronounced Sensory Processessing Disorders. We have been told that his current mainstream school is not suitable for him which has lead to us wanting to relocate for what we're hoping is a better life for us all. We have been advised to apply for an Educational Health Care Plan (which will be a fight and may take 6+ months) and are hoping to have this in place before we made any move. We love the Cotswolds area (Banbury/Brackley through Chipping Norton all the way down to Cheltenham and all the lovely villages around) and would be interested in any village/small town large enough to have a Primary School and a few shops. We also have 2 other sons aged 5 and 3 who have no additional needs.
I am hoping for any advice please on any schools anyone knows about in this rather large area that may be particulary good in their SENCo departments? Broad question I know but we just don't know where to start. My eldest son is extremely clever but struggles with the social and communication side. He can cope in a mainstream school but there are 30 particularly needy children in his class and he is just not getting the support he needs (he is being left to read his book during class rather than being challenged or included).
Does anyone know of any schools that perhaps have smaller classes? Have a very supportive SEN department? A kinder approach to children with ASD? Ideally we would like a mainstream state school but would be very grateful for any advice/recommendations on any Primary Schools that would help our son progress and not just be left to "manage" in class. Thank you.