Abingdon House School Purley, Purley

Our academic daughter, ASD and in recovery from PANS PANAS and severe OCD, is leaving Abingdon last week after an incredible 2.5 years at the school. She joined in crisis, after being out of school for a year and declining prior to this. She is highly academic and we needed somewhere nurturing and academic at the same time for her to go, that would teach in an individual style to her needs. The teachers at Abingdon went above and beyond for a highly academic, but also highly complex child. Complex in that you can't see it but she has significant sensory issues coupled with OCD. She was in a 2 hours a week at that point. Abingdon gave her the confidence and determination to increase her attendance slowly (and for any SEN parents reading this don't believe the mainstream message that attendance is everything - forcing it can traumatise your child further). Abingdon practices a low demand environment, bespoke to children's needs, whilst supporting them in achieving the best they can, for some this is the full suite of GCSEs, others it is a small amount. It is truly individualised for the child. Today, 2.5 years later, we have a confidence daugther, that now advocates for her needs without apologises and is going on to mainstream 6th form to study her A Levels.... albeit a very small private mainstream due to sensory challenges. Honestly if you are struggling and you fight hard enough, this school is definitely worth the fight. Not for the academics, but for the ground work that is needed to support neurodivergent children in then becoming successful, even if it's later than their peers in mainstream. So grateful we found Abingdon, it's been life changing for our daughter and us. Thank you AHSP.