Wow! My son has now been in his fantastic specialist school for over six months, so I thought it was the perfect time to share an update on how things are going.

Back in May last year, we found out the panel at our LA had finally approved Theo’s place at our parental‑preference school -Birtenshaw in Bolton. After a 12‑month fight navigating the SEND system (see previous posts!), it honestly didn’t feel real.

Then came the paperwork, transition visits and settling‑in sessions, and finally, on 1st September 2025, Theo officially started school.

Settling Into His Specialist School Environment

My son was placed in a class with five boys and two girls, aged between 11–14 years. At first, I’ll admit, I was apprehensive. He can sometimes feel intimidated by older boys, but I trusted the expertise of Birtenshaw and I needn’t have worried. He has settled in brilliantly. He absolutely loves it, and I haven’t had a single morning where he’s said he doesn’t want to go into school.

His class is very incentive‑based, which works wonderfully for Theo. They set learning objectives for the week, and on Friday afternoons the children enjoy “enrichment”. This could be anything from a McDonald’s lunch in town, a trip to the Trafford Centre, or even a high‑ropes experience. Incentives really motivate Theo, so this approach has been a perfect fit.

More Learning Than Ever Before

I’ll be honest, I once thought that specialist schools didn’t teach as much as mainstream settings. I couldn’t have been more wrong. In just six months at Birtenshaw, Theo has learned more than he ever did in his previous mainstream school.

The difference? At a specialist school, his teachers ensure he is ready to learn.

If he isn’t regulated or focused, they take him to the swing room, the ball pit, for a quick kickabout, or give him some quiet time in the independent room - whatever helps him reset. And what a difference that makes to a child with autism. Instead of being pushed through the day, he is supported to learn in the way he needs.

Watching My Worries Fade Away

I still remember how nervous I felt when he first started. After fighting for a year to get the right SEND provision, I kept thinking: What if this doesn’t work out? What if this isn’t the right place after all? What next?!

But those worries disappeared quickly. He has made friends, he has a brilliant relationship with his 1:1 support staff, and he’s being given opportunities I don’t believe he would ever have had in a mainstream high school.

He’s tried new sports - turns out he’s great at curling! - and even had the chance to ride ponies and play the violin. These are experiences he may have been overlooked for in mainstream, where he risked being seen as simply “the boy with behaviour issues”, rather than a child with autism who needed the right support.

The Biggest Change? His Confidence

The most incredible difference I’ve seen in my son is his self‑esteem. He now believes he can achieve things. In those first few months, I asked him, “Do you like school?”
His reply:
“I feel like I fit in.”
And honestly, that was all I needed to hear.

To Parents Fighting for SEND Support: Don’t Give Up

I’ve written this for every parent or carer out there fighting to get their child the SEND support they deserve. The forms, the meetings, the panels, the emails, the tears - it can feel endless.

But was the fight worth it?

Absolutely.

Seeing my son happy, confident, included and understood makes every phone call, every sleepless night, and every battle more than worth it.

If you're still fighting, keep going. Your child deserves a place where they can thrive - and specialist schools like Birtenshaw really can change lives.