Dipping a toe in the private system - where do we find out more?

[redwellybluewelly]

DC1 will go to school Sept 2014 and has some additional needs with a speech delay and Cerebral Palsy although she doesn't need help with any mobility, she already has the precursor of a statement (IEP) at daycare which she attends FT. There are signs that DC's cognitive processes are unaffected and may in fact be quite bright if given a chance.

We live in Norfolk and I am slightly out of touch with the various private schools and also the process by which we would look round, gauge suitability, apply for a place, costs (including being able to offset 15hrs a week against costs) and just where to start really.

It may be that the local primary schools will be suitable but we have two awful ones closest and the one we do like more as its very small may not in fact be able to put in the additional help for DC1.

I do worry (maybe irrationally) that the private schools won't want a child who needs extra time, and that there may be some stigma attached to being statemented.

Any advice very welcome, DC2 will be arriving this summer (healthy I hope) and so will also attend whichever school DC1 attends. My return to consultancy work post DC2 will fund the school fees but I have no clue about bursarys or any discounts for siblings.

[adeucalione]

I'm afraid that I don't know anything at all about the schools in your area but a good place to start your search might be the Independent Schools Council - use the 'school search' facility on their website to find schools within an acceptable travelling distance and then check the admissions criteria on their respective websites or give them a ring.

[homebythesea]

Bear in mind a private school may well charge you for the extra help- a friend moved back to the state system purely because of this!

[upinthehills]

You may find that provision is in fact better in the state system. I would fully research your own councils's provision first. What additional resources will they provide, do they have primaries that are earmarked as hubs and have a unit alongside the class system to support learning? If so where are these and what is the criteria. Do you have access to support professionals, thinking psycologist, to help you get the best schooling option for your DC?