I posted on Secondary Ed but got no responses...
I'm considering entry to Ardingly Prep for Year 5 for my DS.
DS has mild SEN (Dyslexia & Dyspraxia causing difficulty with organisation) and is quite emotionally sensitive. He loves to be kept busy with extra curriculars, however he is not very strong academically and needs lots of micro management. I think DS would be a boarderline candidate for passing the CE at 55% (for Ardingly College or another Senior school such as Eastbourne).
My questions are, will the Prep be able to micro manage DS if necessary to help him pass the Common Entrance? I've heard that a few DC at Ardingly Prep each year fail the CE to the Senior School, which worries me; why are they being allowed to sit it if they will fail? Also, how supportive would they be if we wanted him to take CE for another Senior school such as Eastbourne? How good is the CE prep in general at Ardingly?
Would I be better going for an independent Prep school to get DS through CE, or would the environment at somewhere like Brambletye be too academic?
What is Ardingly Senior School like for helping less able pupils through? I'm also concerned that DS might not achieve the 6B's required at GCSE to stay on to the 6th form.