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Original poster

Tonbridge School - inclusive?

32 replies

HarrietT43 · 30/09/2022 13:29

Hi, I was hoping someone could help me with experiences with Tonbridge School and very minor Dyslexia. We were thinking of applying to send our boy there, who is pretty bright, but he has just been diagnosed with dyslexia. Our prep head has said that DS meets the general CAT scores required fairly easily but that their experience is that Tonbridge tend not to offer to boys with dyslexia however bright they are. Any advice would be great - it is an easy commute and ticks a lot of boxes.

OP posts:
nolanscrack · 03/10/2022 15:05

pineapple,I said something very similar to you and irate Tonbridge parents got very upset,but you are correct.
I have to say -a couple of boys we know at Eton had dyslexia and they left with fantastic results and the parents were very happy

notputtingtheheatingonyet · 03/10/2022 14:59

I'm not sure where you live but most of the more selective schools in W/SW London, Kings, St Pauls, LU are very open to pupils with dyslexia and other SEN. (Just included Co-Ed and all boys but same goes for similar Girl's schools). They tend to be large and well funded and can afford good specialist staff.
But don't know about Tonbridge I'm afraid!

Original poster
HarrietT43 · 03/10/2022 14:52

Thank you - and I will look at those suggested schools. We really liked Tonbridge on a tour of the school, but you never know what goes on inside away from “show time”, and what you have described sounds awful. Thank you for replying, it is much appreciated.

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Pineappleflowers · 03/10/2022 14:06

Tonbridge is very “alpha male” and has been for generations. Admires ‘strong’ ‘sporty’ top grades types, but a surprisly high percentage of boys from Tonbridge are total assholes. With exam results, even at year seven, they put all of the boys’ results on the wall so that all the boys can see (and mock) those who got low grades.

I would never allow DS to go there.

Maybe consider Beechwood Sacred Heart, or Sackville? Or Sutton Valance, or Sevenoaks?

Original poster
HarrietT43 · 03/10/2022 14:03

Gosh, that is depressing if kids are being written off from good schools for dyslexia. I thought our head was being over dramatic tbh as my DS’s cat score on verbal was 137, his accelerated reader score is 4 years ahead. It doesn’t seem to hold him back in class. Does anyone have positive experiences of school admissions with dyslexic dc in the South East?

OP posts:
hockeygrass · 03/10/2022 13:36

You should take your prep head advice on board as they will be aware of previous rejected candidates and the school write the references that will mention the dyslexia. In sw London there are schools that state outright they won't accept additional needs candidates as they don't have the support at the school.

Original poster
HarrietT43 · 03/10/2022 12:29

Bump! Would really like to know some insights as it is worrying my husband and I if schools really do try to avoid dyslexic dc.

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