Hi
My DS1 is in year 6 and has been in a north Oxford state primary school since yr 1. We are guaranteed a place at Cherwell and also have a good chance of getting in to the new Swan school.
DS has always struggled with learning and always seems reluctant/lazy and gets really stressed with homework which I have had to do a lot with him to manage to get him to scrape through to be a low average for his age. His problems areas are maths, spelling and literacy. He has never read independently although he is able to. He just doesn't seem to be switched on by this!
The school dismissed dyslexia in early yr 4 after carrying out an assessment for him because he was still 'low average' where he scored poorly dispite the fact that he was scoring extremely high in his visual skills.
I decided to have him reassessed before his STATS and before he goes to secondary school and the analysis shows he IS dyslexic. It was carried out by a highly trained assessor. His scores were 145 for visual and around 85 for other stuff.
It's always been obvious that he's very visual and I have known that this style of learning would suit him and I guess this is why a stretched state school has been a struggle for him. However socially he has been happy with the school. We have gained much as a family from integrating with the community school and I feel it's been a good choice for this.
I had a meeting with his primary following the dyslexic diagnosis and the SEN said there was nothing the school would or needed to do for DS as he was achieving average results (albeit low) - they would however give him extra time in his SATS.
I was hell bent on him going to Cherwell or Swan even though, if I am honest, we could stretch ourselves and send him to private. The main reason for this is a) the cost of private education b) I want my children to mix with all classes of society.
Now I really am wondering if I am doing the right thing. Am I being pig headed about point (b) and at the detriment of my son's education? Will he be held back at achieving his potential (probably creative) because the state secondary schools will have the same remit as the state primary school to make sure that each child only gets into the average (low average albeit) and then their mission is done?
I am in no way criticising state schools for this, I can see that they have a job to do and do not have the resources to get the best out of our children only to get them to the level they are required to. I guess my son is not 'bad enough' to warrant extra help.
I could and do encourage him at home to explore his creativity by going to an external art group but wonder if I am doing all that I should?
I should mention that, if any, the state secondary I would consider would be Leckford Place.
Thanks so much in advance x
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Secondary education
Oxford secondary school for dyslexic child
9 replies
Mumof3darlings · 27/11/2018 10:23
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