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Original poster

Any success with ADHD and 'highly selective' schools?

32 replies

Clippedwings · 13/03/2021 12:00

My DS was diagnosed with ADHD 2 years ago (not a shock). He is quite academic: sits comfortably in the top half of top sets for Maths and English in a very academic school. He is in Year 5.
We had a parents' evening recently where our Head basically implied that we should "manage our expectations" because no matter how well he does in the entrance exams to 'very good' schools, many "are not supportive of SEN children". My husband heard the conversation differently, but I read it as: "don't bother with the very selective schools".
I must stress that the school has been nothing but supportive of his needs and his teacher is particularly optimistic about his opportunities.
Has anyone with an ADHD boy had any success with getting into super-selectives at 11+? If so, and appropriate, can you name the school. Thank you.

OP posts:
Skatingpark97 · 13/03/2021 13:58

OP, you need to listen to your prep head and read the SW London boys 11plus thread on here. Whilst the top schools take a range of personalities - sporty, arty, musical etc they take the same ability level - top in maths and English and able to engage in a fast moving curriculum with constant homework, testing, deadlines etc - you have to be able to concentrate and organise yourself to keep up.

PenguindreamsofDraco · 13/03/2021 13:53

We were told City would not suit a boy I'd describe in near-identical terms. We havent gone down the meds route though.

Original poster
Clippedwings · 13/03/2021 13:50

Thank you for the replies.
We are London-ish based, so looking at City, Kings, and similar. I think he has the academic ability to make the grade, but am worried now about bias. He has just started on meds. He has never needed extra time or assistance, but was always a bit fidgety, distracted and unfocussed and this is starting to spill over into areas where focus and time is required (composition writing, etc) hence the move to meds.

OP posts:
wandawombat · 13/03/2021 13:17

My pal had to send her 2nd child to a different posh school to his older sibling as they wouldn't entertain her dyslexic dc. He's better for going somewhere that supported him properly.

What I would say is that environment & atmosphere are the most important factors for me with an adhd dx. In a comfortable environment, I thrive. I did not achieve my potential at school because I wasn't happy.

LondonMummer · 13/03/2021 13:12

Which schools are you looking at? You have to declare SEN on application forms and almost always send assessments from the last three years. This was really tough as the CAHMS diagnosis we'd had was several years ago, prior to medication and painted a pretty bleak picture of our son which isn't a true reflection of him now - indeed he is currently Head Boy at his Prep which you wouldn't believe reading the diagnosis. One school was amazing and the SENCO called me during the application process to understand all about our son now. I was on the phone to her for over half an hour. I was super impressed. The others didn't. There are definitely super-selectives that I believe are less welcoming of a child with a diagnosis although it's so hush hush I'll never know if it was a factor.

realitybites1 · 13/03/2021 12:28

Where do you live?

Tonty · 13/03/2021 12:10

Pm'd you.

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