Inclusive school for a bright ADHD child (around London)

[tabbycatcuddles]

Hi all

our DC has ADHD and really struggles in a large classroom (she is in Year 2). We are looking at private schools which are inclusive and nurturing, but still offer structure and some academic success, as she is bright. She has some behavioural issues at school and feels dysregulated in large loud classrooms, so we are hoping to find a school which offers a smaller class size (preferably less than 15). She is also active, so anything with good sports possibilities/hobbies would be a plus.

We live in inner London, but would relocate to anywhere commutable from London (we both need to be in the office 1-3 days a week but can wfh otherwise). I'm happy to move pretty much anywhere if we find the right school.

I have a few we'll be touring soon, but any recommendations would be very welcome - either in London, Surrey, Bucks, Kent etc.

I recently visited Frensham Heights (Farnham way) and was very impressed with their provision. It is a through school so no need to move to a senior school. I also liked Cranleigh School (another through one) for different reasons. Those two are very different but would meet the small classes and sport provision. The independent prep schools all seem to be fairly similar in provision and acceptability so it really does depend on the area that you want to move to. HTH

Thank you, this is interesting to hear. I had a look and both sound like they could be the ticket. Farnham is really far, and the school is far from the train so I think the challenge might be logistical. But I will put it on our list - I think most of my annual leave will be spent visiting schools this spring...!

In north London you could consider Dallington, Rosemary Works, King Alfred, Cavendish.

Check out King Alfred - hear it’s very nurturing

Queens College Prep could be worth considering. It’s not seen as a hot house academic school BUT they have a very strong SEN and pastoral care ethos and have a good leavers destination for 11+ if wanting to go more academic at this point, and if chosing to go to the senior school they have solid results and push the more academically able.

Definitely look at St Chris in Letchworth. This is the school the people who set up Frensham Heights set up first back in 1915!

Great place to live - arts and crafts houses, beautifully restored cinema, nice cafes etc. We moved there from London too!

I will send you a quick pm

Sadly I think it's got quite big class sizes and small class is a key! But thank you!

look at Kingswood house in Epsom. Only starts from year 3 and sounds exactly like what you are looking for.

What class size are you targeting ? Schools are not viable below a certain number really…

Colfe’s in SE London has small class sizes as part of 3 form entry. Each class has approx 20 kids in it.

www.colfes.com

St George’s Ascot may well tick the boxes you require. Small class sizes, convenient for London and good extra curricular provision. It is a senior school but like others have said, maybe that should be your starting point if you relocate. There are lots of schools in the area so you would have a good range to chose from. They do also run busses out from west London but I imagine that makes for a long day.

We have friends at St Augustine’s Priory and classes sizes are small with a nurturing environment (they have a farm!)

We moved to Cambridge. Sancton wood, St John’s both good for this profile I think.

Definitely Sancton wood!!

Colfe's are reluctant to accept SEN kids for seniors. Maybe ok if you come up through juniors.

Hoe Bridge in woking currently works well for my gifted ADHD child.