Private school accept SEN?

[Sophiathe2nd]

Little one is 3 next year and wanted him to go to a private Nursery/school. He is pre diagnosis but Is non verbal and paed Suspected communication disorder and 18 month wait for MDA assessment.

The school policy says they do accept but I just wondered if anyone had experience of this?

[TooCuteByFar]

Definitely go and talk to them. It varies school by school

[ShowerGel9]

watching VERY closely. I also have a little boy with a global delay who can not walk and I'm getting the vibes that the private school I want him to go to don't really want him

[ShowerGel9]

I think it's because he won't hit the early learning goals and then bring he schools results down? Poor results will not sell a private school to prospeptive parents

[ohlittlepea]

Speak to the school. Personally Id rather my child was in a publically funded specialist school or mainstream school with a specialist area attatched as Id want expert teachers who were used to suppprting children with these differences.

[ShowerGel9]

are they aloud to say no?

[Sirzy]

Why do you want private?

I am not saying you are wrong but particularly with a child with sen the important bit is the right School for them so I would visit all the schools locally he has a realistic chance of getting into and then take the decision from there

[justinelibertine]

I know this isn't likely, but could you spend the money earmarked for independant school on private diagnosis and therapy for now and then join the sector at 7 or 11+?

We have decided to go down this route, however we are lucky to have a very good state school in our catchment.

Unsure whether DD 2 has ASC or speech delay atm. Professionals seem confused too. Which is a litte worrying considering she will hit reception in 2019.

However, as to your question. I have spoken to some who didn't want to know and some who were very positive. And yes to early years targets. The schools who were interested said they would like to meet us so I assume they make a judgement then.

[ASDismynormality]

Ask the school if they honestly feel they can meet your child's needs, have they had similar children there before, did they stay long or have a managed move?

Also have you applied for an EHCP as then which ever school your child goes too they will have to follow the strategies put in place.

Some private schools may work really hard for your child others may not, same with mainstream schools.

[cheminotte]

Are you thinking private long term or just the nursery attached to the private school?
Both my DC went to a nursery attached to a private school, they were there from babies until 4. The senco there spotted issues and did some targeted support but it was limited. A friend whose son was at a state preschool had much more support, referral to assessment and support in place before he started full time school. But those differences are not necessarily due to private vs state.

[Chchchchangeabout]

It varies. I would visit all local school choices private and state and pick the best fit you can get into. I know one excellent private locally with a good reputation for SEN support, more than on excellent state. I also know one highly rated private which 'interviews' primary entrants and basically filters out any SEN kids on this basis, and one state that seems to just deny any issues.

[Chchchchangeabout]

Should be more than one not on!

[ShowerGel9]

the private school near me filters out certain children

[DullAndOld]

I would go for a state school tbh, they do SEN really well.
The vast majority of private schools select on the rather narrow basis of how well a child performs in what is essentially an IQ test.
As someone else said, they don't want any SEN as it brings their lovely results down.

[NancyJoan]

If they are telling you they don’t want your child (not you OP, but people generally), then they are really not the right School for you.

[ShowerGel9]

it does bring their results down and also they won't have the time to be speaking to professionals visiting your child as they are too busy getting children to do things that they are far too young to do (I.e, Jolly phonic for just turned 3 year olds and litterally zero letters and sound work that children actually need to lay the foundations with BEFORE all the phonic work) so basically they probably won't have the time to put into practice advice and any activities that outside agency professionals recommend.

[ShowerGel9]

tbh thinking about it it's their 'sport' getting all these results and I really wouldnt want my child to take part in it

[Bucketsandspoons]

It varies from school to school. There are non selective independent schools who often have a lot of SEN expertise. Some selective independent schools offer non selective nursery places, and do an assessment in the term before entry to reception year to make a decision on whether to offer a reception place, which can work well for very little ones where there's no saying what they might be able to do by the summer term before they start reception. Independent schools who are selective on academic ability often have disabled or SEN students who are academically able and are used to meeting their needs, and will usually provide adaptations needed for entry assessments, but the Equality Act doesn't prevent them from being academically selective.

You could ask for a chat with the school SENCo and see what the school's policies are, and how it might work for your ds.

[EyeoftheStorm]

It all depends on the school. DS2 was held back a year at a private school. This was not possible for us at the time in the state system.
He is severely dyslexic and his private school did everything they could to support him including getting outside professionals to observe him. They listened to us and he really enjoyed school even when it became clear that the mainstream classroom was beyond him.
They then helped us find a specialist school that would suit him and he moved across smoothly and is happy.
Not all private schools are interested in exam results above all else but you can only know that from speaking to the school and, even more importantly, parents who have children at the school. Are there other children like your child?

[Sophiathe2nd]

Thank you for the responses. Our eldest goes to the same school I rate it highly but obviously has me worried about possible autism diagnosis looming in 18 months and the speech delay.

[EyeoftheStorm]

What do you see further up the school then? Do you have friends with older children at the school?
Parents with children with SN were pretty open at DS2’s school. There were several children with dyslexia across the years and I could see how well they were supported. I also knew a mum whose child was more severely affected, like DS2, and they had moved schools to access more specialist help.

[Sirzy]

as you have a son there already have a think about his peers - do any of them have SEN? Do any receive additional support in class? That may give you some idea of their willingness to accept and support

[ASDismynormality]

I just want to add that my son has an ASD diagnosis and we are looking at independent schools for secondary as the environment is less overwhelming with small classes , smaller buildings etc.
Our local non-selective independent has quite a high proportion of SEN as its very nuturing.

[Sophiathe2nd]

I have always had a sense that 1 child in his class has autism or similar. Even at 8 years old (known them since nursery year) he always sticks his hand up to questions he doesn’t know the answer too and when they ask whose birthday it is every week he puts his hand up!
Behaviour is odd and speech was none existent at nursery year although came from a family whose English wasn’t particularly good. The schools entry process is just a 1 hour assessment where they join the nursery of reception year. So whether his issues came to light after he started or they were aware of it before who knows?

[ObscuredbyFog]

It's a matter of finding which school is a good fit for your child and which one they are likely to be happiest in.

I can't stress this enough, ave a really good look around all of the ones in your area, then apply to the one(s) you think are the best, the ones where your child will be in a supportive environment and where they feel valued, irrespective if the school(s) are state or private.

All schools are different where SEN is concerned, (have a look at the SN boards for varying opinions) My experience was that state was beyond dire and private was brilliant, but that was only for our own child, with her particular needs in this particular area.

[mumisnotmyname]

Our non selective private school, but not uk, is fantastic with Sen. My DS voluntarily goes in early most days to do extra spelling clubs in addition to his in school support, not what I expected! Our state uk school really wasn't bad and I was happy with the support he got there but I have been so impressed with the support and positive attitudes he has recieved in his current school. My DS is really thriving so I guess it depends on the school.