Independent Senior Girls Schools Surrey Area special needs

[2treehouse]

I have a daughter (Year 5) currently in a State school diagnosed with moderate ADD. She is not aggressive or disruptive. However, she is behind in her learning as she gets distracted so easily, plus some fine motor skills and organisational issues. I am now thinking an Independent all girls school non selective would be good for her due to small classes. We are Guildford way but most of the schools seems to be selective. Any advice on suitable schools where there is good Learning Support appreciated.

[BlueStringPudding]

The Royal School, Haslemere is non-selective and run a shuttle bus from the train station to the school, so would be accessible from Guildford. Definitely worth a visit..

[lasermum]

Manor House in Effingham is a lovely nurturing school although I am not sure if the have specific arrangements for special needs.

Worth a look.

[2treehouse]

Many thanks for suggestions - have been looking at Royal School which seems a definite option. Haven't heard of Manor House but sounds like its worth a look. If anyone else has suggestions non selective private mainstream girls school please??

[Muminfire]

May be Ewell Castle? As I know they have "special needs" Department.

[titchy]

Boxhill?

[titchy]

Check number of boys vs girls at Ewell - they only started admitting girls to senior last year.

[2treehouse]

Many thanks suggestions - looking for an all girls school.

[holidaysrcoming]

St Teresa's Effingham?

[mummytime]

St Theresea's and Priorsfield are the other two but they are pushing to be more academic so may not be suitable. You might also consider Farnborough Hill.

Have you looked at the State schools?

[2treehouse]

Thanks mummytime. Priorsfield is on our radar - have heard good things. Hadn't considered Farnborough Hill but will have a look. There seems to be a distinct lack of non selective girls schools in Surrey - don't understand why independents have to go more academic when there are so many good academic ones already! My DD really needs smaller classes - she doesn't have ECHP so not convinced she will be supported sufficiently in State system, sadly.

[mummytime]

My DC have all done well in state, including DD whose primary school would have said didn't a SEN. They have all preferred secondary to their "highly desired" primary, they preferred the routine.
So I'd suggest you at least look if only for a back up.

The schools fight to be more academic seems to have more to do with the Heads egos, than anything else.

[Wriggle45]

My DD moved from state to a prep school in year 4.... And the smaller class sizes/tailored support has made a huge difference (She has really pants short term memory.... So I suspect a little similar to your DD in a way in that she never caused trouble but didn't make the progress she should without someone understanding what she struggled with and adapting their methods to fit). My DD has completely caught up to the academic level my gut instinct said she should sit... And it happened quite swiftly once the right support was put in place (and she understood what it isn't her fault that she finds hard... Therefore doesn't feel bad at having to work at!!). We've chosen Prior's Field for her as felt it would continue on the same path as her current school. She starts in September so I can't comment on what it is really like but the message I've got isn't that it is 'going more academic'... More that they are determined to help girls to achieve their potential.
I didn't get the message St Theresa's was 'going more academic' either to be honest... Their message seemed more to be 'we want kids who want to be here'. Tormead also seemed to be switched on with SEN provision.... We just preferred PF when it came down to sending back acceptance slips!!

[2treehouse]

mummytime - yes we do have state school back up which has a decent reputation but my DD would continue to struggle with a class of 30 with all the distractions. Plus it seems to be the boys who cause most mayhem in class and there has been some teasing of my DD by them so would really prefer single sex school. Gone are the days where you find single sex state schools now it seems.

Wriggle - glad to hear Priorsfield doesn't seem to be changing its ethos - there's no point if it has been working well. Had a look round the school and liked the bright uncluttered classrooms (good for DD) and facilities, children seemed happy as well. Did hear from a friend of a friend that her DD's learning support has just been withdrawn and family very unhappy. Hope this is a one off and don't know the whole story.

[mummytime]

The are state single sex schools, but the nearest are Epsom way.

I hope you find the right school for your DD.