The Holmewood School London

Since September 2024, Bridget Young, previously assistant head and SENCo.

Best suited are those with autism as the main need. Alongside speech, language and communication difficulties, other diagnoses include ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia and dyspraxia. Applicants considered all year round and for every primary age application;

School’s aim is for ‘students to leave knowing who they are and where they are going’. The majority stay until age 19 in the three-year sixth form. Bespoke plans are made with each student following their own timetable, preparing them for life after

We saw pupils in mixed-year classes grouped by ability rather than age – one group from years 4, 5 and 6 were making an Anglo-Saxon village. In a maths class four pupils were learning subtraction, with a 1:2 adult to pupil ratio. More than once we

Parents praise the small class sizes and environment which is not distressing or overwhelming. ‘Life changing,’ said one. ‘Being in a special setting is enabling my son to become independent, something his behaviour in a mainstream setting would

The lower school art room is well-supplied and art visible on the walls, including projections of work for easy changes of display. Drama focuses on emotional understanding in a safe space rather than acting; the winter show is more of an occasion,

No playing fields at this London school but the lack of conventional competitive team sports, at which autistic children can struggle, is not regretted. The school helps the children integrate into, and enjoy being part of, their community and as

Therapy is embedded in class, not learned in isolation. A parent, who spent £20,000 over five years before joining, spoke with relief and gratitude that everything needed is included. A mother whose child has had only four meltdowns during their four

A restorative justice approach is used to deal with conflict and prevent harm, helping these autistic students, who struggle with social interaction and communication, resolve issues proactively but not punitively. ‘Restorations work better than

Parents say they feel school sees autism as a difference, reflecting the school’s motto ‘think differently’. One parent, despite the passage of years, became emotional remembering her child’s first day: ‘He said, “I can just be me!”’ Another related

Fees are inclusive of therapy. All pupils with (or applying for) EHCPs.

‘So much compassion’ is a parent’s summation of school, where previously her child had difficulties after misunderstanding social cues. ‘I realised I could buy other things but not friends – my son left primary with no friends, now he has five.’ It