St Dunstan’s College and SEN

[Franny1]

Would love to know people’s opinions on St Dunstan’s College in SE London? Especially re SEN provision….

Following. We’ve just booked an open day for here.

I live nearby and know several people who have taken the school to tribunal (and won) for their appalling treatment of and failure of duty of care towards students with SEND . I also know kids with SEND who have been unceremoniously pushed/managed out, despite being good kids, getting the grades, and having attended the school (and paid the fees!) for several years. I don’t actually know anyone with SEND who has had a positive experience. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist, of course, but I don’t know any either personally of anecdotally and I very much move in those circles. I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole for my kids with SEND!

If you do not get direct parent replies, I would ask the school very specific SEN questions: how information is gathered before entry, whether support is in-class or withdrawal, who coordinates it, how often parents get updates, and what happens if needs increase. Also ask whether they can put you in touch with a current parent whose child has similar needs.

Yikes that’s a bit scary! And these SEN kids wee actually getting the grades too??

Sadly this does echo what I’ve heard too.

I’m still going to look but at the moment it’s not high on my list.

Definitely some that I know of. I suspect that because there is no obligation on the school (private schools generally) to cater for SEND, they don’t want to have to put in much extra effort if they don’t have to... Some private schools undoubtedly do cater better for SEND, but it probably depends on the level of need/presentation.