Limpsfield Grange School

Since 2012, Sarah Wild BA PGCE PDip NPQH. An alumna of Tiverton High School, before studying English and politics at Leicester Polytechnic (now De Montfort University). A circuitous route through different areas of pedagogy – her CV including two

A special state secondary school offering day and boarding places, maintained by Surrey County Council for girls with communication and interaction difficulties, most of whom are autistic. All have EHCPs and come from mainstream schools, including a

Lack of a sixth form disturbs many parents. Some choose sixth form colleges, others opt for mainstream or specialist schools, but none quite fits the bill. One parent expressed concerns that her daughter’s still-developing communication skills will

A teacher’s average class size is 11 with a teaching assistant present in most lessons - but girls are expected to work independently. Subjects include English language and literature, maths, biology, humanities, IT, catering and art. Most pupils are

There are visual timetables displayed, with staff photographs, and it is pupils’ responsibility to check them. Dyslexia is supported with laptops and speech-recognition software. Head is clear that she’s preparing girls for the next step and beyond:

No after-school clubs due to local authority transport collecting but previous school trips include go-karting at an aerodrome, theatre in the west end and Lewisham police station to meet the mounted police, while a programme of visiting speakers

Swimming weekly for year 7s, with a gala against Moor House school. PE once a week is about fitness, stretching and aerobics. Netball is played, though the idea of doing so competitively raised a laugh – the lack of competitiveness suits many of the

There are 24 places in a lovely boarding area (which includes a beauty bar). Students can board for a term at a time, four nights per week, unless they have a particular amount of boarding specified on their EHCP. Year 7s can start after Christmas –

Sadly, NHS therapy supply never meets demand, but parents are pleased with the speech and language therapy provided – two days a week each from a therapist and an assistant. Occupational therapy only half-a-day per week, yet when a parent noticed

Several members of staff are trained in mental health first aid, and an independent advocate is available to residential students. In addition, the wellbeing strand of the WACI curriculum covers topics such as relationships and sex education,

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Dressed in sensible and easy-to-wear uniform (white polo shirt, black skirt or trousers, black shoes, no tie), the girls mingle at break time with bursts of happy laughter. School lunches prepared on site, including a vegetarian option and salad bar.

All pupils have EHCPs, which can also cover boarding costs, but transport is often an issue – a parent told of getting a place but then needing to go to a SEND tribunal for transport. Some Surrey families share, three girls to a taxi; others found

‘If it weren’t for Limpsfield Grange I’d have a school-refuser,' we were told. Several parents recalled past experiences of mornings made wretched by screams followed by struggles dragging a child to primary school, all in the past once they had