Anyone with a dyslexic child at an academic independent (Alleyn's, KCS, Hampton)?

[Nightingalewood]

DC is dyslexic - extremely able in maths but spelling, reading comprehension and handwriting are all difficult (verbal ability high but when putting pen to paper results are average, or just below average).

We are thinking about applying to some academic schools (and less selective ones too). IQ / standardised scores are generally 120-125 but this is skewed towards maths, so for example maths might be 142 and English around 105-110.

Did you DC get extra time for entrance exams and gain a place? Or did they gain a place without extra time in exams? If they were granted extra time do you think the SEN went against them in the selection process because these schools want the DC who are easier to teach? If your DC are at a selective school with dyslexia how are they coping and what is the support like? Obviously we have spoken to SEN departments of various schools but I am hoping to hear from others with actual experience of this. We are torn about whether to go for 'reach' schools and hope DC is able to work to their potential as they get older, or go with a softly selective school that could be more comfortable.

Anyone?

Dear NIghtingale wood, My son who has Asperger gained a place at Hampton for starting in coming September. Since he hasn't started yet, I cannot say what the support will be like but as long as admission side of handling SEN, they were the best school for my DS. The document were foreign and translated in English since we just have arrived from foreign contry. Educational psychologist report, former school report showing his fine mortor control and slow processing, certificate of eligiability for SEN and doctors diagnosis for his spectrum were what I have provided to gain extra time and use of laptop instead of handwriting. Instead of extra time, the score he gained added 25% more and considered at the admission comittee and the test were digital, typing was default. Of all the school he tried, Hampton was the most helful and made me feel that the school is not screening him just for his diagnosis and fairly judging him. Although this is too late to comment, I hope this helps you and others who has concerns for their children.

I'm a teacher at a selective independent school and I have had dyslexic children in every class I've ever taught (taught there 15 years). Currently (I have 10 in my class) I have two dyslexic children - one mildly, one severely. They both receive 1:1 support from SEN department in the form of three individual 30 min sessions a week, as well as an additional three 30 min sessions together. As the class is so small, they get extensive support from me during class all day. They read every day and are given extension reading/ exercises to complement their reading books. When exams/ tests etc happen they are both given a reader to help access the material. The severely dyslexic child is exceptionally clever and excels in maths especially, but they need a reader still during exams to help with problem solving questions. When they go into senior school, they'll get extra time for GCSE's etc (an assessment needs to happen for that to happen, but closer to the time). The message is always about helping dyslexic children with accessibility, not ability, the two are very distinct as I'm sure you'll know!