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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Year 9, moving to surrey - help!

30 replies

meagle · 02/03/2011 19:22

After giving up on selling our house last year, have suddenly had 3 offers in last week! Now in a panic about sorting out a good school for averagely bright, mild ASD son. Need somewhere with good pastoral care (and a decent SEN dept). We are looking around Reigate, Dorking, Guildford. Could afford private if necessary - most important is getting the right place for DS, who is already worried about moving. Any feedback gratefully received!

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jalapeno · 02/03/2011 21:03

Ewell Castle is a private school with a well regarded SEN department close-ish to Dorking.

Original poster

meagle · 03/03/2011 09:33

Thanks for the tip, Jalapeño. Do you have kids there are know people who have? We are going to see Moon Hall college near Reigate, tho they specialise in dyslexia so not sure if it's the right fit. Have you heard anything about it? We're also going to see some state schools but all seem to be full in his year...

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sandyballs · 03/03/2011 09:35

Royal alexandra in merstham very nr Reigate. Good school

mummytime · 03/03/2011 10:14

If you move to Guildford, it has been known for pupils to get into County, George Abbot and St Peter's in year 9. (Even Howard of Effingham could be a possibility if you live out that way). Get somewhere to live and then apply, appeal if necessary.

Actually having spotted the ASD, I would recommend George Abbot as the SENCo is fab.

Original poster

meagle · 03/03/2011 10:37

Thank you Mummytime and Sandyballs - it's really encouraging to hear that kids do get in later down the line. Thanks too for the feedback about the GA Senco - the right teacher in the right job makes all the difference and it's something you can't fathom from ofsted reports or prospectuses.

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titchy · 03/03/2011 11:21

St Andrews in Leatherhead also have good rep for pastoral care. Catholic but admits others.

AnotherSurreyMum · 03/03/2011 11:37

Moon Hall is very specialist dyslexia - someone we knew moved their DS there, and then out again as his Dyslexia was 'mild' compared to others, so not right school.

Box Hill is meant to be good for SEN? Not academic, but good for all-rounder & confidence building.Small, and good pastoral care I believe.

Royal Alexandra & Albert is at pains to stress that they have no special SEN provision over and above that at an ordinary state school, but is listed as having 14% SEN. You may find a gap there for Year 9, as there are several MOD families there, and some are at risk of loosing funding I believe .
But be prepared for the requirements of 'flexi-boarding' (i.e. day pupils) - late schooldays and Saturady morning compulsory.

Original poster

meagle · 03/03/2011 11:56

Interesting feedback on Moon Hall, AnotherSurreyMum - I have a feeling we might find it too specialist too. On the other hand, I thought some of the teaching methods for dyslexia, eg, small group work, instructions and concepts broken down into small steps, working to individual child's pace, would suit DS.

I will check out Box Hill and RAA, though know DS would baulk at long days and Sat am - he moans enough already about the school week!

Titchy - Leatherhead wasn't on our list of areas, and feel our net is already wide. As Londoners leaving the big city where we've lived for most of our adult lives, moving feels like a leap in the dark. Adding schools into the mix (for a child who doesn't relish change) makes everything so much more stressy!

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AnotherSurreyMum · 03/03/2011 13:56

If you're church-going, St Bede's in Redhill/Reigate is very good (state faith school) and you may be lucky for a place? But it's a big school, so not sure about pastoral stuff.

Caterham puts a lot of emphasis on 'individual learning styles' - but quite competitive/ academic?

mary21 · 03/03/2011 14:14

George abbot has a visual impairment unit so geared to special needs. also know someone who was very happy with more house (the dyslxia one) for there son with ASD

Original poster

meagle · 03/03/2011 14:19

AnotherSurreyMum - yes, DS gets quite anxious (part of being ASD) so lots of exams would probably freak him out. OTOH, some level of competition would be healthy as he has a tendency to be complacent. It's difficult to find the right balance!

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Fiddledee · 03/03/2011 14:35

Lots of continous testing goes on at George Abbot so may not be great.

alice15 · 03/03/2011 16:10

I also know someone who is delighted with More House (private, Farnham) for an ASD son. Not out of the question from the Guildford area.

Original poster

meagle · 03/03/2011 16:36

Thanks for tip Alice15 - I have looked at this online and thought it looked great but was a bit put off by boys only and Catholic. DS is also nearly 14 so not sure if we are too late to get in. Might give admissions a ring just to get a yes or no.

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mumoverseas · 03/03/2011 16:42

I'd highly recommend RAA in Reigate but wouldn't say the school day is very long although they do have saturday morning school but longer holidays which can sometimes be an advantage. Admissions lady there is lovely so worth a call

Original poster

meagle · 03/03/2011 18:29

Thank you Mumoverseas - I'll do that. Longer hols would be a good bargaining tool with DS!

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alice15 · 03/03/2011 19:04

The people I know aren't Catholic and haven't mentioned it, so I don't know if that's a big thing or not. My husband was taught by the head of MH 30 odd years ago, when he was an ordinary teacher, and thought he was wonderful; my friend also thinks head is absolutely inspirational. Obviously is indeed all boys. A phone call can't hurt, anyway : )

jalapeno · 03/03/2011 19:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

meagle · 03/03/2011 20:21

Alice15 - MH no go as won't take year 9 entry.
jalapeno - that's a wonderful recommendation for your mum! I looked at EC website and see that there is a test for entry. Not sure DC would make the grade - his maths is v. poor, though English is reasonable. Do you know what kind of grades they would be looking at (DC gets around level 5 for most subjects but 3/4 for maths)?

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MigratingCoconuts · 03/03/2011 20:25

I would say George Abbott is a good bet.

The Ashcombe School always had a good rep, its in Dorking and worth a look.

Howard of Effingham is also a really good state school.

Not so sure of Reigate schools

MigratingCoconuts · 03/03/2011 20:27

Have you tried posting this on the SEN site here just to see if there is any specialised knowledge of support in these schools out there?

MigratingCoconuts · 03/03/2011 20:29

ps, I also know someone who pulled their kid out of Moon Hall because it was far more specialised for dyslexia than they needed.

Original poster

meagle · 03/03/2011 21:07

Thanks MG - I will look at Ashcombe. Think HoE is slightly out of our range, prefer to stick to Guildford-Dorking-Reigate. Have also considered Godalming as Rodborough gets positive reports. Does anyone have any personal knowledge of it?

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Silverstreet · 03/03/2011 23:12

Try the Priory in Dorking too, they put an extra class on in current year 9 which would make it easier to get into than you would expect. I think their SEN is good too.

Original poster

meagle · 04/03/2011 09:10

Silverstreet - thanks for the tip, I will add them to the list of schools to call and visit.

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