Smooth my troubled brow - guildford way

[moid]

My 9 year old is entering year 5 and I am starting to think about the next stage.

Background - he has struggled throughout his schooling, finding it difficult to make friends and generally immature behaviour which gets him into trouble.
He is bright, for instance he has an encloypedic knowledge of warhammer rules and regularly plays in games workshop in town. Good at chess, clumsy at games, takes offence easily but good at giving it.

Any way I am worried about secondary school. My very generous parents, who also see his sensitivity have suggested that they might be willing to pay for an alternative than comp.

We are in Guildford and cannot move at the moment. I am thinking about the RGS, I know it is very academic and think that he would thrive if pushed academically. But what are the other options, maybe a smaller, non snobby but quite academic school ?? Any thoughts, any experience.

I will be looking at the state options as well, probably catchment for Guildford County School.

I'd look at whether you have any hope of George Abbot. I would also visit RGS on their Open days, maybe try to make an appointment with the head.

Boys schools in the Guildford area are limited. If private and not RGS he will have to catch a school bus or train (or board). Look at Reeds, King Edwards Witley, or Salesian and/or maybe prep school for a couple of years and then Epsom or St John's.

However somewhere like GA would be able to cope with your son. Has he been assessed for Dyspraxia? Which school is he at at present?

I would also go and look at County, and ask questions. Try the open evening, and then make an appointment to visit, probably after the end of October so the present year 6s are out of the way. Good luck.

(btw I have assumed his is not baptised Catholic? Otherwise ST Peter's is worth a look too.)

Hi, he has not been assessed for dyspraxia - though throughout the last five years I have thought about every sort of label.

We have had dealings with the school but they have never suggested an assessment, but that could be because his year is a nightmare year with lots of difficult kids (including my son) and statmented kids. We are at Holy Trinity.

Looking at the symptoms he meets some but not others!

We are on the cusp between George Abbott and County and some years would get in and some years not!

I have just got to go and see some of these places - are going to start with the RGS open day in October.

erm
RGS is not snobby.

If you want an opinion on it I will be happy to give it.

Ds1 is charming and not snobby
Ds2 has SN

If your son is 9 and at Holy Trinity I probably know some of his year. My DDs best friend left there a term ago

gawd

my posts sound very odd - sorry op!

My point is I know RGs and a bit about local schools.Plus I know a bit about dyspraxia sensory issues etc. I am happy to chat if you want any info. You can cat me if you like. If I haven't frightened you by sounding like crazy cross stalker woman

A friend of mine had 2 girls at George Abbott and rates it highly.

no use sadny. i have scared op away

OP if you want to contact me and I can give you some specific advice. you can email me on:
guildford mum at yahoo dot co dot uk (without the dots).

However if you are worried about Dyspraxia the first port of call is your GP, who can arrange an assessment.

Sorry you have not scared me away at all!

Would love to talk, most of his friends will be going to the County or GA so don't really want to bend the ears of my friends with his private school dilemmas.

Have you talked to the head teacher about RGS? You may not like what he has to say but he is pretty accurate about the realistic chances of pupils getting into RGS. RGS Head also likes HT.

I also know parents who move out of the private system to send their kids to GA.

Sorry forgot to add, up to 20% of HT go private, so you will not be alone if you take that route. Head maybe able to recommend other schools more suitable for your son (if you can afford them).