straw poll time ladies (and gents) ... is state or private education the 'best' for dyslexic child?

[gigglewitch]

Just that, really. The thread discussing siblings attending different private/state got me on to a debate we've been recently having. Our DC are young yet so we have more time to think it through. I went to a local private school [girls] and it would be the boys school that we would be considering for DS1 if it would benefit him. My hunch is that it wouldn't, as my school was really academically success-focussed IYKWIM, and I'm only thinking that small classes and individual attention might help him. Any thoughts~ esp if you've got DC in secondary at the mo?

Impossible to say I should think.

Some schools are really good at dealing with dyslexia and helping those with it; others are not so good; some are plain rubbish.

DD's prep school is very good from what I have heard.

The state school I ataught at for 5 years in Derbyshire, secondary, was also very good.

Depends on the provision the schools in question have for dyslexia.

My (private) school is excellent for dyslexics in that we have peri teachers from the Dyslexia Institute working with the individual girls. Because we are a small school, all the teaching staff knows who is who and what the specific teaching strategies are.

My friends DS is severly dyslexic. He went to private school through primary where he was the only SN child that was not asked to leave. Headmaster advised friend that he should not go private for secondary as private schools are not interested in children with SN. He did go to state secondary but he has been let down there as well, although initially they seemed to be very helpful.
I do know of other local private schools that have so dyslexic units, so obviously some private schools seem better than others.

My DS is dyslexic. Plenty of help at his state primary, but told he had an sld not dyslexic. He got a lot of help because he is very bright.

He is now Yr7 where his strate secondary is very dyslexic friendly, because the HT and SENCO are both dyslexic. Early days yet, but he is doing very well at the moment.

Agree it is variable, some are good ,s oem less so at coiping and supporting across all systems. Bear in mind you would probably have to pay extra for one to one learning support at a private school unless it was specialist school.

ho hum. jury's out then?

christywhisty, your story gives me some hope, thank you

From our experience I would say private, traditional teaching methods, but not highly academic private best. 2 State Secondaries in the UK and 1 State High school in Australia all did the same with DS1 to a greater or lesser degree: dumped him in low ability groups with kids with behaviour issues where the teachers spent most of their time on crowd control, and didn't communicate any information to his subject teachers. I found that I had to contact every individual subject teacher to tell them he was dyslexic and suggest how they could support him. A total drag and very ineffective. He is now in a private school where the teachers seem to actually give a s*it about how he's doing. Although he doesn't get learning support as such, their interest in him, encouragement and willingness to help him when necessary has worked wonders. For the first time ever his last report made me cry tears of happiness rather than the usual tears of frustration

DS2 went for assessment at age 5 at 'prep'school where DS1 was. The headmaster doing the assessment said he would take him but he would struggle. By year 2 we relaised he was dyslexic/dyspraxic, the school was giving him extra support by fully qualifed Spld teacher so no problem there and he was having occupational therapy outside school.

However, these schools specialise in getting 11/13 year olds into the best secondary independant schools via common entrance. This type of eduction IMO does not suit a child with learning difficulties, however bright - DS2 when tested has IQ of 138 on verbal/cognitive side.

We left DS1 at the prep school who went on to get into and is currently thriving at one of the best schools in the country. We removed DS2 to a special school for 3 years until he was ready to go back into a 'sympathetic' mainstream school.

At this special school the headmistress had a great deal of experience on where to send them next. When state school was discussed, her opinion (this is london BTW) was that although there is provision for dyslexic pupil which can be more extensive than at private school, they tend to put these kids in the lower streams amongst kids with other more extensive problems and the class size doesn't help either.

DS2 currently in year 8 at a progressive private school as a weekly boarder(his choice). He is in the top set for english as his intellectual ability is recognised even though very little of it gets down on paper. Other teachers rave about his general knowledge of current affairs etc but have to spend time deciphering some atrocious handwriting and spelling.

I don't know what will happen about GCSEs as simply passing a maths one is going to be a struggle.

I've got off the point here a bit, sorry. But I do feel strongly that if you can afford it, the right private school with the right support is the route to take.

My daughter started at private school and learnt nothing in 4 years although the school told us they could help her and we payed for extra SN lessons.In year 4 with 2 more dc at school we couldn't afford private anymore and moved them all to a church primary school.She learnt to read in about 2 months as a TA was with her in the class helping her most of the time even though there were 30 in the class.At private school 1 teacher ( no TA )taught 12 kids but dd was left behind and i think ignored at the back of the class. I think it is more important that the school will REALLY help your child and that another adult is in the class however small the numbers are, the issue is not private or state but each school on its own merits. She is in yr 7 now and flying in secondary school. Yippee

We haven't had a problem with DS being put in lower classes . Ds has been put in top class of top set for everything except for english and maths for which is his the 2nd class of the top set.
His english teacher said at parents evening that although he struggles with spelling and punctuation, they recognize his comprehension skills are excellent, therefore she feels he is in the right class for him.
He is allowed type most of his homework which also helps.

laztmumofteenagers very interested in your story as ds2 is currently finishing his first year in a specialist school,we are hoping that he can do 3 years but the prospect of the next stage horrifies me although like you the head is very knowledgelable on appropriate schools.

Our experience of the private sector was that the small classes and personal attention were great uintil year4 when really he needed greater levels of support.If you look on the Crested website it lits those private schools with specialist units and also though which are all specialist

On the question of independent, specialist 'dyslexia' schools, you may be interested in the following message board thread:
www.rrf.org.uk/messageforum/viewtopic.php?t=3432&sid=32d3d9055c011cd4dbe9b024cd0bb4a1

These crested approved schools do their job superbly. They use an eclectic mix of methods to teach the children, sometimes one to one if necessary.

The idea is for the child to catch up with the correct age group and then move back into mainstream.

I feel it is very important, especially for a teenager, to be in a mainstream environment if possible. Socially this is crucial and they do need to realise that once thay get out into the real world it will be tough for them.