Good mainstream secondary school for Dd with Dyslexia, and Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

[Sparky17]

Hi I'm looking for a lovely & caring MS school for my Dd. she loves school, learning, arts, drama and is gentle & caring. I want her to continue to enjoy school and thrive. I am willing to move but need property to be reasonable! Am looking at Suffolk, Norfolk, Hampshire, Dorset but really anywhere between these areas! Your experience and comments would be truly appreciated!! Thank you ????

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

What county are you residing in currently?.

Does your DD have a Statement or EHCP currently in place?. If not you will certainly need to apply for an EHCP for her from your current LEA and asap.

Avoid Hertfordshire and Essex.

[Sparky17]

Hi thanks so much for reply! She is on The SEN register and now gets "termly provision" from SaLT but she doesn't have a statement or EHCP but I have thought about nothing else for months! After a lot of pushing I have got a dx of vision stress, dyslexia, and APD (from GOSH). I'm in Bucks and School won't support my request for an assessment as "her levels not bad enough" she's nearly 9 and is level 2 at everything except spelling and writing where she is

[Tissie]

Your best way forward is to contact the local authority directly and ask for your child to be assessed for an EHCP. The authority then have 6 weeks to decide whether or not to carry out such an assessment.
In my opinion your primary school are just being lazy refusing to request an assessment for a EHCP. The level 2's I can just about understand even if its still a long way below where she should be and there is a great deal of difference between a level 2c and a level 2a but spelling and writing is below 5 (I assume you mean belwo 5 yrs old as it seems unlikely to be anywhere near a evel 5 NC) clearly indicates a cause for concern.

If the LA take up the assessment you won't have to pay anyone. Beware just moving to an authority on recommendations as individual schools vary a great deal. I live in Somerset and have taught in Cheddar, Bath and Bristol as a Senco. I would not recommend Bristol but my experiences locally are good. As a retired senco I am also offering my services as a tutor free to good causes!

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Re your comment:-
I'm in Bucks and School won't support my request for an assessment as "her levels not bad enough"

This is an out and out lie and its not their decision to make either. School have and are failing her also here by stating that.

IPSEA now have a callback service you can use on their website so calls can be booked //www.ipsea.org.uk.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

www.ipsea.org.uk/contact/advice-and-support/advice-line-call-booking

[Sparky17]

Thanks Attila I think I am going to have to apply for an assessment, and then go through the next couple of years of appeals and tribunals as otherwise she will not get the support she needs at secondary school :( However, I may want to move as well which complicates things further. If I apply in Bucks, and then move within Bucks I presume that a Bucks move would not complicate things too much....however, do you know how things would be if I applied in Bucks, and then moved out of county? I presume I would have to start the whole stinking process right from scratch again?
????

[Sparky17]

Whoop whoop there were a few appointments free on the IPSEA booking calendar so I've booked a call for 1st July!! Thanks for the nudge, I had given up checking for free slots!

[Tissie]

Dear Sparky17
Do get the process started. All you have to do is contact your local authority to request an assessment and you will at least know within 6 weeks if they will make the assessment. Once an ECHP is issued it moves with you from one county to the next. A new education authority must conduct a review and come up with compelling reasons why they should refuse to continue the EHCP. If the assessment is refused or after assessment the EHCP is refused then you will need I{SEA backing and the strength to fight.
If you decide to visit Somerset do let me know as I may be able to help. Is there anything else I can help with?

[Sparky17]

Thank you so much Tissie for the spurring on! I will apply for the assessment after my IPSEA phone appointment. It is great to know the EHCP moves with you! I may look at Somerset but I think I'll concentrate on the EHCP. Must just get on with it!! Thanks again xx