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Original poster

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:
Original poster
Purpletears · 27/06/2017 20:35

The thing that is most interesting is that it seems to me that those that struggle are perhaps more in need of the smaller class sizes that private schools provide but yet private schools seems less willing to provide for them

OP posts:
Original poster
Purpletears · 27/06/2017 20:27

Thanks horse. Do know what FH is like? My understanding is that it is a break from mainstream for a couple of years but what happens next?

OP posts:
horsemadmom · 27/06/2017 13:50

Fairley House

Original poster
Purpletears · 27/06/2017 12:12

Interesting, thanks everyone! I am going to look into all of those. It's great to here there are options at least. Was starting to panic!

OP posts:
Needmoresleep · 27/06/2017 11:12

Portland Place can do well with kids who don't "fit" elsewhere, including but by no means exclusively, some very bright kids whose SEN required parents to have a fresh think.

Ktown · 27/06/2017 10:27

How about the international schools such as ACS in Hillingdon
They are certainly flexible

dinkystinky · 27/06/2017 10:27

My friend with a mildly dyslexic son, who was behind national average, has started him at Portland Place in year 5. The class is tiny (5 people I think) as they've only just started having year 5 and year 6 there, but she's really happy with the attention he's getting and he is thriving. May be worth looking at.

dinkystinky · 27/06/2017 10:25

Sorry - apart from Emanuel (which takes from 10, but madly oversubscribed) - all the ones I mentioned are 11+.

dinkystinky · 27/06/2017 10:24

Thames Christian College is good - they deal well with mild dyslexia and underconfident kids. My eldest sounds a lot like your son OP. He wanted a co-ed school, we wanted somewhere he wouldnt get lost. We also applied to Northbridge House in Hampstead, King Alfreds, Kew House and Emanuel. The King Alfreds assessment day was the one my son enjoyed most - lots of different activities, writing a story, etc - but so many kids (140) for so few places (they offered 8). North Bridge house had an assessment day (exams and group interview on a Saturday in batches) - they were sweet in that the boy who showed us round sent my son a good luck message before the assessments and he got a letter from his interviewer after the assessment day.

He's going to Kew House in September - great inspiring head, real focus on pastoral care, all kids reviewed by SEN team when they start to ensure no one falls between the cracks, 50/50 boys and girls in year of 88 (4 classes), kids of mixed abilities (they do written assessments and do a 5 minute presentation on anything they like and interview with 2 other kids and a member of staff which counts as much as exams) and lovely modern colourful building (with air conditioning). I'd definitely recommend checking it out. Can get there on the overground to Richmond.

Original poster
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?

OP posts:
onwego · 27/06/2017 09:02

I could have written this, your son's profile seems very similar to mine. We're in East London. Having significantly researched, I'm beginning to realize that this holy grail of school is rare. I've come up with St Christopher's (Hitchin) and King Alfred school.

SufficientEduc · 27/06/2017 08:47

We are looking at Thames Christian College (year 7 & up). My DS is academic but very shy and needs a caring environment. The teaching seems excellent and the pastoral care superb but the location and building is not great. I might look past this but l'm not sure. It's in Battersea. What about the new Eaton Sq Senior School - he could join the prep?

QGMum · 27/06/2017 08:36

By "avoiding the 11+ and 13+" are you looking for a senior school that doesn't have an entrance exam or are you looking to move him to a through school which would guarantee entry to senior school?

I'm not aware of any mainstream senior school accessible from West London that doesn't have an entrance exam, albeit the standard required for an offer varies hugely. The easier to get into options in West London are St Benedicts, St James School for boys, Radnor House and Kew House.