Mainstream independent school in NW3 with a great SENCO??

[Pannacotta07]

Hi everyone

DD (6yo) attends a small independent mainstream school in NW3. We don't have a definitive diagnosis for her but she has focus issues, short working memory and auditory processing issues. She is well adjusted, friendly and social otherwise. She has lots of friends. The ed-psych we went to last year has recommended that she should be in mainstream education. She does have special needs but she is a bit of a borderline case. She has been thriving in the mainstream environment and she is making plenty of progress. Her reading is a lot better than her class average but she is having difficulties in numeracy and writing. As such, she requires quite a lot of 1 on 1 support in class. The school is annoying us - they just do not want pupils who have special needs - they just either cannot cope or do not want to accommodate her.

We are looking for a nice and nurturing school which has a SENCO that will be able to accommodate her needs. A school that will give her the right level of support but also stretch her to her potential. Any suggestions?

I heard about the Academy in Hampstead. What else is there? Also, because we are changing schools, (she is now Y1) it will have to be a school which will be able to take us in either at the beginning of the spring term or Autumn 2014.

Thanks in advance

I will be surprised if there is an independent. school that will fund 1-1 senco support in class. At best you are looking at some 1-1 or small group support to complement the school day.

Can you look at getting a statement and moving into the state sector? I think you are more likely to get dedicated support for your child.

By the way, the current school doesn't sound great. Is it a school starting with M?

North London private schools are not generally known for their warm inclusive attitudes (I'd love to hear otherwise). Private schools are competitive places, London is a competitive area.

At the very least you'd be looking at paying for the extra support.

If (big if) you can get a statement, I think she'd be better in a state school. Certainly that's been the experience of friends. They seem to be better at dealing with a whole range of children, while many privates want the compliant and easy to teach.

Not quite NW3 but you could try King Alfred's in North End Rd, very liberal, every child is individual etc. Not cheap! NW3 schools are very results driven and will all make subtle efforts to get rid of someone with SEN.

You may have missed the boat with King Alfred's but worth begging. Also look at St Mary's. They did a good job with my friend's DD who had big issues. Look at NBH as well. They do have SENCO support and kids can go all through to 18 now.

Thanks to all
Lepetitprince: Yes, the school is not great. The name starts with V. We have proposed paying for 1:1 support for example in the afternoons but they keep going on and on that she has to be an independent learner. Well, she is not an independent learner at the moment and their solution is to chuck her out
Lisad123, farewell: I am looking at getting her statemented. Last time we tried was some time ago and we were denied - she really is a borderline case. I will try the statementing again as her needs are becoming more obvious
Tableforfour, horsemadmom: thank you for the suggestions. I will look at all these schools. Is NBH not too big a school? It is a fine line between a small school which you hope can provide individual attention but is not equipped to deal with SEN and a large school which has all the SEN facilities but is so big that the child gets lost.

It was some time ago but I believe NBH had a linked school called Willoughby Hall that specialised in supporting children in this sort of position.

The Academy sounds perfect for you.

The Academy won't take your DD. Too young. They do have an amazing SENCO- I know her very well. You could tough it out at The V until they admit in yr 3.
Also look at Heathside. Very small.
NBH is bigger than your current school but has a lovely, down to earth, scruffy vibe. You really have to see them all and ask the questions face to face.

Before anyone sends there child to King Alfred School in north London they really need to consider that is the right school. It is for a particular kind of persona and really doesn't dust a lot of children, particularly boys and particularly spirited boy.