Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Local

Find conversations happening in your area in our local chat rooms.

Original poster

Magdalen Court School Exeter

16 replies

NikkiHwith2 · 06/10/2016 07:54

Both my children are dyslexic, my son is severely with additional SpLD. He is currently in year 4 but working at year 1. School have now said that they do not have the resources to fully support him and that we need to look at an EHCP and more specialist teaching. Living in Devon we are unsure of what our choices are around the 'specialist schools'. We have been reading about Magdalen Court School and wondered if anyone had any experience of this school or maybe others in the North Devon area??

OP posts:
continuityofducks · 13/10/2016 10:51

I don't know about Magdalen Court School, but in the private sector I've heard that St Wilfrid's has a reputation for being good with children with additional needs. For state, I think Newtown Primary has a resource base for children with speech and language disorders, or it did back when I was looking at options for DS1.

LocalEditorExeter · 13/10/2016 13:05

Hi NikkiHwith2, I posted this on Facebook because I wanted to source some more responses for you. A lady called Fran came back with this:

"It's not a specialist school, and it's not in Devon. But I'd strongly recommend having a look at Genius Within. They are an excellent company that specialise in coaching people with SpLD and may be able to help in some way. They also have some very good resources online. Please do have a look."

Another lady - Maria - suggested you go on the Facebook group: 'Exeter Parent/carers of children with additional needs' - if you aren't on Facebook, please let me know and I'll post a link to this forum on your behalf.

Zaircanbeonlyone · 13/10/2016 19:08

Do you particularly want private school?
Are you based within Exeter or further out?

Zaircanbeonlyone · 13/10/2016 19:12

LivalEd that sounds like snake oil. Shock

The names that spring to mind for private are St Wilfred's/Magdalen Court, but there are some great MS state secondaries in Devon that should be able to support him. what do his current school think?

Original poster
NikkiHwith2 · 16/10/2016 18:05

Thank you for the responses, no I don't want private particularly, I just want a school that can help!!!

My son and daughter are both 3 years behind in education both severely dyslexic, we actually live in North Devon but would relocate pretty much anywhere if we thought we could get the right place. I believe my son my also have ADD. School locally have tried a lot of things with him he has a full time TA and she is great but we are still not seeing any major progress. I am just not sure where to go and what to do

OP posts:
Original poster
NikkiHwith2 · 16/10/2016 18:05

Thank so much for posting on Facebook for me

OP posts:
LocalEditorExeter · 17/10/2016 12:32

No probs NikkiHwith2 - have you tried the Facebook group I mentioned? I am sorry if the other suggestion that came from FB (online resource) is 'snake oil' as Zaircanonlybeone suggested. I just wanted to pass on info.

Wish I could be more help. There must be some more support out there - I will ask around.

Zaircanbeonlyone · 17/10/2016 13:44

There are several posters on the SN board who live in and around north Devon with children with dyslexia. We meet as and when anyone can sort it out in cafes or church halls.
Please be careful about paying privately for extra coaching and therapy. Everything should be available in ms school.
I think Crest (??) schools specialise in dyslexia and know of Caulderhouse further West who might if you call them give some info or point you towards someone who can.

Original poster
NikkiHwith2 · 27/10/2016 19:37

Thank you Zaircanbeonlyone where is the SN board I will try and find it. I have never heard of the gathering around North Devon.

OP posts:
Spludge · 28/11/2019 18:33

Hello . I'm a few years late ! We are in the same boat but our extensive research shows the best school is actually in North Devon. It is crested registered private school in Bideford called Kingsley. We have been for several visits and it is incredible. However we are 2 hrs from there so are having to consider boarding there for our daughter which is not great for her at 11 . Well she doesnt think so but we feel it would give her the best start in life due to the amazing dyslexia ethics and support. Nothing compares to it .
Anyway how are yours getting on now and where did you find in the end ? Be interesting to hear any success stories .
Best of luck

Halli2020 · 28/04/2020 18:02

I went to this school when I was 12, around 10 years ago. Was promised a lot from the school, but later realised they were a bunch of con artists. School needs refurbishing severely and teachers aren’t properly qualified to teach one area. For example you could get one teacher teaching several different subjects. I was also in a classed with people that were 14/15 which was another weird one. Don’t think 12 years olds need to mix with that age group as mentally there is a lot of different sometimes as well as academically. I would suggest an alternative and I hope you haven’t chosen this monstrosity of a school!

Candy1500 · 23/06/2021 14:40

The worst school !!!! Hope things have improved from when I was there . Absolutely dreadful . Unqualified teachers !! The list goes on

Halli2020 · 24/06/2021 11:33

@Candy1500 I then went on to go to st James school which was again a bad school, but still was able to achieve more there! There’s lots of teachers teaching their own children or family members so favouritism is a big thing at that school. If I still lived in the Exeter area I’d personally send my child to Clyst Vale or if I could afford private possibly st Wilfreds.

Candy1500 · 24/06/2021 11:37

My daughter goes to clyst vale . And is doing great there . Honestly Magdalen Court School has to be the biggest con ! I know some of the staff as in nursery staff would sit exams for kids ! Absolutely terrible

bluestarthread · 24/06/2021 11:47

I think education in Exeter has changed a lot in the last 10 years and the mainstream secondary schools are on a pretty even keel - most under the Ted Wragg Trust. I have children and friends' children in secondary here currently, and friends that teach in said schools, all fine.
However Magdalen Court does ring alarm bells. I know of parents that moved their children there. Kids that have emotional issues, sometimes ASD seem to do OK there as small class sizes etc. But it is a private school, does have unregulated teachers and an odd history (yes, I know people that work/have worked there), and whether it's any good for very specific educational needs is debatable. We looked at it for nursery places a good few years ago and it was as described above - old, ramshackle, very old fashioned, and I did not trust them to send my baby into their care. Since then it seems to have created this specialism and the cynic in me sees it as being the only way for it to stay afloat...just have a good look at it before committing.

Candy1500 · 24/06/2021 12:05

I’m hoping the conditions for the nursery in particular have got better . No hot water for staff to wash hands etc and filthy cloths to wash tables down . I could continue .... this was a few years back as I’ve said , so things may have improved . Was very much an eye opener back then that’s for sure

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread