Independent school assesment - feedback upon not getting in

[Higgledepigglede]

My son has just had an assessment to move school (Year 4) to a local independent and was refused a place. We were rather surprised as his primary tell us he is bright, either reaching expected or exceeding standards. He is mildly dyslexic, but this appears to affect his spelling and writing a bit.

We were thinking of moving him as the cuts have taken their toll. After 7 teachers this year (failure to recruit), his class his having a huge wobble learning wise and socially.

We've tried contacting the independent school where he had his assessment for feedback, but they don't seem to answer the phone or emails. Is it normal? After paying £100, and being hugely responsive pre-assessment, it feels rather dismissive. It'd help us to know why they felt he was the wrong fit when we know they had space, so we can ensure we find a school that's right.

Thank you for any thoughts you may have.

I recall getting some useful feedback after two past rejections. Helped to decide whether to try again or go for another school. Very poor not to explain.

@Higgledepigglede -Did you ever get any feedback OP? We have just undergone assessment for one of the schools mentioned on this thread and are currently at another SE London independent so have some experience in the area - if you want some more focused suggestions for other options?

We did, they said they don’t normally give feedback and suggest parents refer back to the current setting where they’ll know the child better. But, they understood after all the teacher changes this might not be possible. Meanwhile, he got into the other school who have been amazingly honest, supportive and are willing to work with us to help him catch up a bit and enjoy school again. I’ve been very impressed with them, and feel we found the right place. Phew.

Now just to deal with secondary transfer for the older child, and possibly this one the year after!

Independent school assessment - feedback upon not getting in

My daughter has just had an assessment to move school (to Year 6) to a local independent and was refused a place. After doing an excellent interview and the head master made the comments how well she did.

The last thing for the entry was the assessment. Her teacher at the current school give her the test (I have to mention he is not happy of her moving due a school trip for Year 6). That mean he will need to find a new student for the trip that can pay for two ticket (mum and daughter).

When ask about giving her the assessment test he was not happy and very negative. He stop me at pick up and ask me about it.

I ask my daughter when he give her the test and she said right before going home in the afternoon. She did not have time to finish the test.

All the actions seems so negative and I believed my daughter was not giving a fair opportunity for the test.

Now we have a tutor but we feel we want to change her anyway because the school is not helping her.

Thank you for any thoughts you may have.

Academic Fee paying schools often can’t be bothered with dyslexics- even bright ones with spiky profiles - because it can affect the look of their results. The non academic ones are full to bust of children with SEN as there was a migration after lockdown 1 of SEN children after parents felt they couldn’t be supported by state school via online learning - so might be that they have their fill of children with SEN and just can’t take any more due to staffing?

The right state school can be a great place to have a dyslexic child (for school learning not online learning) as their training is usually bang up to date, but do your research.