Please or to access all these features

Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

London private school for non academic mildly dyslexic boy

38 replies

Purpletears · 27/06/2017 07:46

Does such a thing exist where teaching standards are high? Although (according to Ed Psych anyway) my son's intelligence is above average, he performs below average in all the standardised tests and is dyslexic. He is v small for his age and v slim and although a happy boy is not hugely confident and so can be pushed around by the less kind children. He needs a small class size and a nurturing environment to achieve his potential. Preferably within reach of West London or somewhere along the overground in North London. He is in Year 4 at the moment so would love to move him somewhere that avoids the 11+ and preferably 13+ too (13+ seems most likely to just be putting off the problem). Does anyone know of anywhere which would work? My research so far is coming up with a big fat zero.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
OnePunnyTiger · 23/01/2026 22:10

Purpletears · 27/06/2017 10:02

Thanks for the replies - really appreciated. It just seems crazy that it is so hard to find an indie school for a non academic child - not everyone can meet the national average. It is the class sizes which are important I think as he needs support. I think I would rather a school where he could join the prep now so he doesn't have to do the 11+ at all. I will look into all the options above so thanks v much for those. Are they likely to expect national average at least though?

Hi, following up on this thread as in the same boat now. Where did you end up? Any recommendations for someone in similar shoes?

barbfoster1x · 30/06/2020 14:29

Hi @Purpletears

Heathside school - non selective, nurturing and 100% academic! Previous owner was awful - but Dukes education group bought the school last year and its gone from strength to strength...... results are great with two Scholarships for Westminster this year and one Queens award. Its also has an all through element - so if you don't want 11 or 13+ you can stay with them.
Worth a look at - although I hear they now have a waiting list.....

After8itsgrownuptime · 29/06/2020 13:09

My son had dyslexia and we have just been offered a place at St james in Ashford. We are also Looking at halliford and Emanuel .

vanillaD · 28/06/2020 21:34

Appreciate this thread is old. I am interested to hear feedback or reviews on Portland Place School. My son had a very similar profile. He is above average cognitively but ADD gets in the way of his focus and doesn’t do well in exams. I want him to be stimulated though and able to join more academic schools later on at 13+ or later

Needmoresleep · 14/04/2018 13:29

The Harrodian is very very over-subscribed. It is perfectly possible to get Hampton, say, and not the Harrodian. Treat it as a long shot.

Roseredvelvet · 14/04/2018 11:50

Radnor House or Harrodian.

Wheresthebeach · 09/04/2018 15:57

A friend has her very lovely, quite bright, artistic dyslexic son at Ewell Castle. They couldn't be happier - its been a great school for him and very flexible around GCSE choices to play to his strengths.

ItsNotJustMe · 08/04/2018 23:31

Harrodian in Barnes

Shavi · 04/04/2018 09:47

Hi

Hope you have found the right school for your son.
Recently I visited Thames Christen School near Clapham Junction Railway station and I have a very good feeling about this school .

Purpletears · 04/07/2017 23:01

Great, thanks for the info. Very interesting.

OP posts:
wandsworthma · 03/07/2017 16:28

not wanting to spread rumours, just make sure you do your due diligence on Hall School Wimbledon. nasty story in the Standard and less than flattering recent ofsteds, not about the general teaching but about how the school is run.

www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/man-arrested-in-yard-voyeurism-inquiry-involving-wimbledon-private-school-a3524091.html

ProjectGetThroughTheDay · 02/07/2017 19:26

Bruern Abbey

MrsKlugscheisser · 28/06/2017 23:14

I was going to suggest More House or St Chris, but I see I've already been beaten to it!

Purpletears · 28/06/2017 20:45

Some really great ideas thank you! It is such a relief to know that there are possibilities for him. I was beginning to think it was hopeless. I know he will drown without a lot of teacher support which is why I think the private system is the best option for him.

OP posts:
BizzyFizzy · 28/06/2017 17:36

Have a look at www.canburyschool.co.uk near Kingston.

Mary21 · 28/06/2017 16:16

The Hall Wimbledon
Ewell Castle
Halliford
Thames Christian
Aldenham
Canbury
Riveston
Centre Academy
The Moat
The latter 4 are more special needsor dyslexia

nocampinghere · 28/06/2017 15:25

Radnor House, St James's Ashford spring to mind.

dinkystinky · 28/06/2017 10:56

One of my DS's friends left his current school to go to Fairley House as he is very strongly dyslexic - I understand from his parents its a very traditional education with lots of focus on reading and writing, but less on arts, science, music etc. They are very keen to get him back into a more liberal arts education school soon.

user1477249785 · 28/06/2017 01:43

Another vote for Portland Place who were brilliant with my DC.

evenstrangerthings · 28/06/2017 01:26

John Lyon School in Harrow?

Davros · 27/06/2017 23:59

If you get him into North Bridge House before year 7 he can automatically transfer to either of the senior schools AND they are genuinely mixed ability with good results

Ancienchateau · 27/06/2017 21:07

Radnor House would be ideal. I know a few DC with similar "profiles" who are there. He can join now, before 11+

Michaelahpurple · 27/06/2017 21:02

And I don't harrodian would be my first choice for a shy or little boy

Michaelahpurple · 27/06/2017 21:01

A friend of mine sent a similarly profiled boy to the Domini, then Thames Christian and he is now doing very well at a v academic north London school. They were very happy

Also, in south London , Finton house has a very big commitment to SEN support , although is. Italy mainstream. Goes to 11 I think

There really aren't many through schools of any sort. Only one I can think of is harrodian and I have no idea what their SEN support is like. They do have a fairly wide academic span though.

MrsMontgomerySmythe · 27/06/2017 20:40

Would you consider weekly boarding? If so how about a move at the beginning of Year 6 to More House School in Farnham. They are highly regarded for their teaching of dyslexic boys. Very non pressurised environment with a ton of support.

A very popular school so worth visiting soon and looking for early entry as the higher years (8 and upwards) tend to be full for boarding.

They run a coach each Farnham station and many boarders catch this back to London on a Friday and return to school Monday morning.