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Original poster

Has anyone arranged a meeting with admissions team for highly selective independent schools?

29 replies

Glassdoors · 14/03/2023 17:19

Daughter is very advanced academically and is autistic. I'm wondering whether it might be an idea to arrange a meeting with the admissions to discuss her needs and whether they think she might be a good fit for the school.

Has anybody done this and did it help with the admissions process?

Tia

OP posts:
minipie · 14/03/2023 17:58

I asked DD’s prep school head a similar question.

His advice was wait for the offer and then have the conversation. Because you don’t want the SEN to be the first thing they know about her, before they have seen her abilities. Which makes sense to me.

I suspect it isn’t as black and white as “some schools are open to SEN and some aren’t” - many will be cautious in the abstract (not knowing the scale of needs) but much more supportive once they have met the actual child and seen they can do well.

You can find out a fair bit about support for SEN via asking questions at open days. Eg, do you screen all children in y7. What adjustments have you made in the past. Etc.

Mycatisalwaysangry · 14/03/2023 17:51

No I would find out. You need to pay to sit their tests. Why pay to then find out they don’t want my child…

FlightyFoxing · 14/03/2023 17:46

I wouldn't mention the SEN at all before the exams. Many selective schools actively prefer to avoid enrolling SEN children.

KindergartenKop · 14/03/2023 17:37

Some selective schools, not all, are wary of SEN. Personally I would just put her in for the exam, have a look around and ask on mumsnet about SEN support. Then if you get an offer you can ask some more specific questions.