Non-selective/ rounded secondary SE London

[glasslightly]

Our son is at a selective junior school and whilst he loves it it’s increasingly clear he won’t make the academic grade for the senior school. We’re crushed for him as he has such a lovely group of friends but he has a recent dyslexia diagnosis and I’m pretty clear it’s not the right environment for him. Can anyone suggest any good but not so academic private schools? We seem to have landed slap bang in the middle of a group of very academic schools and I’m struggling to see how we support him. We can’t move house as his sister will be in critical exam years. He also has a very academic younger brother, although I’m realising they may just end up in different places. Any ideas ?

My son is also dyslexic and has dysgraphia. Currently in year 7 at Fidelis college (Norwood) and although early days, I am very happy with his progress at the school. They are a small and very inclusive school. Fidelis Senior College was created when the Cedars (boys) and the Laurels (girls) merged earlier this year. It's a catholic school but they take students of different faiths. My eldest is at Dulwich College and highly academic as well. Which areas are you looking at in SE London?

Farringtons, Colfes (getting more academic), Babington House.

Not goading, but does it have to be private? We have some similarities with you, our daughter goes to a private over a great state option, but it was her preference and she’s super academic. I can also see my youngest there. But it doesn’t feel the right place for my son and he loves the look of Forest Hill Boys. So he’s applying for his sister’s school, we don’t know what to expect in terms of the assessment results as we haven’t pushed him, but Forest Hill is his and our first choice for him in terms of fit for him.