I am hoping someone can offer advice as I'm so worried about my DD1 (6.9) and what to do with regard to school. She's bright but a dreamer, finds it difficult to focus, left handed and writes very slowly.
The background is:
She has always seemed bright - we just assumed we were being PFB about her but many other commented on her behaviour. She was offered a placed at a selective private primary school (Yes I know) but I decided I didn't want her to be in a pressured, all girls environment from Reception so we sent her to a local mixed private school. Non selective - not great reputation for academics but lovely environment.
Reception she seemed happy and fine, Yr1 progressively more lackluster, mentioned being bored, couldn't get her to read, crying at drop off. Plus when I saw the work she was doing she seemed to be very slowly completing workbooks containing maths, for example that I knew she'd been able to do before reception. Spoke to teacher and was given the impression they thought she was a plodder, doing fine, average, with the odd surprising result in tests where "she got them all right!".
Basically we wanted to know what was going on so saw an edpsych who did the WiscIV tests and said DD1 was in 99.7 th percentile for General ability but her Processing Speed was only 66th percentile. She told us at that level of GAI DD should be able to get into any selective school she liked and it would be a question of finding the one that could challenge and support her appropriately.
So we decided to put her down for a local selective girls school for 7+. She did the tests but didn't get an interview. They actually called us to tell us she did well on all tests but her writing was so very poor they had felt they couldn't take her forward.
So now I feel stuck. We are at school that doesn't really seem right for her and it is becoming clear, doesn't prepare students to get into academic secondary schools - mainly because they go up to 18 but are VERY non academic.
I've been told by my sister that probably the ed psych just "Tells ALL parents their children are clever" and that I shouldn't set any store by it. Seems unlikely but who knows?
I just dont know what I should do. How can I help her writing? Should I take her into the local state school ("most children performing well below the national average when they arrive" according to Ofsted)? Should I move her to another private school (She would be very resistant as she hates change). Should I tutor her (against all my principles)?
I know she is so young still but I can see a scenario where she just ends up staying where she is and I am certain it's not the right place for her. Private schools here are massively oversubscribed and there is a lack of state school places too.
I feel I made a mistake in the original choice of school and just want to get it right so she can be happy and excited and motivated about learning.
All advice gratefully received...