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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

Has anyone chosen private/alternative school for dyspraxic child, how has it helped?

31 replies

HonoriaGlossop · 13/11/2007 17:23

or any child with a specific learning difficulty?

I would really find it helpful to know if anyone has moved their child from mainstream to private, and why, and what sort of difference there has been.

My ds has dyspraxia and a few things I'm seeing him struggle with in his big class of 30 are really, really getting to upset and worry me. Don't know if I can fix this by moving him to a school where the classes are much much smaller, but I do wonder.....

OP posts:
Blandmum · 13/11/2007 18:28

flagged up! god what a typo!

Blandmum · 13/11/2007 18:27

Ds was in the school (private) already when he was fagged up by the SEN department who sugested that we see an ed psych. He gace ds a dx of dyspraxia.

Ds is doing very, very well and is making real progress. (he is 7 btw) His reading is imrpoving, as is his handwriting, and this week he has gone back into the 'ordinary class' for his spelling practice. He has 10 hours of 1 to 1 support in the classroom and sees the SENCO for an hours extra lesson each week.

The school is particularly good for children w=ith SEN, as the classes are small, the support excellent and the general ethos very positive. there are a fair few children there with ADHD, mild ASD, and dyslexia/praxia.

Be warned though, not all private schools are as good with children with SEN , or as welcoming

LIZS · 13/11/2007 18:25

We had put his name down when he was 3 as we were going abroad for a while and weren't sure we'd get our LEA preference on our return. His problems were identified at almost 6 while we were overseas. We decided then that smaller class sizes would suit him better on our return since he was used to a maximum of 14 and wasn't severe enough to be problematic in class but would probably just blend into the background in a group of 30 . Fortunately a place became available at that time, so he started at Year 3(now Year5).

ahundredtimes · 13/11/2007 18:20

I agree about checking out their SEN provision, and how much they understand dyspraxia and similar. Some are better than others, and just because they are private does not mean they are up to date.

Have a look around some and ask.

Original poster
HonoriaGlossop · 13/11/2007 18:17

Hi LIZ! thanks for that...I must admit I did wonder about finding an appropriate school, which is why I mentioned 'alternative' schools in the title; I know many private schools would be as you say, focusing on the results, etc. Did you choose private in part BECAUSE of your ds' difficulties, or was it a choice you made anyway IYSWIM?

OP posts:
LIZS · 13/11/2007 18:12

ds is at a private school. The curriculum includes lots of physical activities such as swimming once a week, games (which he dislikes but has to do !), music, DT and textiles which have been good for getting him enjoying things he would n't otherwise choose to try iyswim. He's in a class of 20 and sets are smaller still so lots of attention . You do need to be careful though as not all private schools are set up to give extra help one-to-one or in small groups (as ds has had for handwriting and touch typing) and extra one-to-one can be chargeable. We've found ours supportive of ds but some can be dismissive and focus mroe on their results and high achievers.