Dyslexic friendly secondary schools in South London

[Priyastar]

I am starting to look for a secondary school for my son. Currently he is at a friendly, small, creative school which develops the whole child and this is fantastic for him as he is dyslexic and struggles academically. He is currently two years behind his peers in literacy and numeracy, although is creative and does well in other areas. His previous school largely ignored him and because he is so well behaved his needs were overlooked, which is why I moved him. Now I am starting to worry about the right school for him and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions of good, supportive secondary schools in the south East London area (we are dulwich based). Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Are you looking at state or independent? And which year is he in?

He's is year 5 currently and state ideally although he has been asking to go to Dulwich College because of all the sports they do (which sadly a single parents teachers salary won't stretch to)

Fairly House?

horsemadmum seriously? OP has said she's a single parent on a teacher's salary and you're suggesting a school that costs £30,000 per annum?

Most CRESTED registered schools with special dyslexia provision are Independent ( or were when i was looking a few years ago). Some may offer bursaries though. Worth checking their list to see if there is one near you.

OP, my DD is y4 and over the last 6 months we have had a big rethink of her likely secondary school choices after a proper assessment of her dyslexia. We are in SE London but some distance from you so different subset of schools and local authority. Like your DS she is very creative, loves art and writing her own stories. She really struggles with spelling and finds any kind of timed test very stressful, learning times tables is difficult.

Regarding possible school choices, I got some really good insights from others on here so have a look at threads under my username. At the moment the most likely route is comprehensive. There are very few schools in London with dyslexia friendly accreditation from the BDA but certain secondary schools will have a higher level of SEN resources than others.

My friend got full funding from the council for her daughter at Fairly House. Included transport from NW London.

Quite a few children do go to Fairlley House on a statement (I am an X parent) but most do so by going to tribunal with a specialist education lawyer, not an easy or quick or cheap thing to do.

Worth it if you are going there from a young age but the school only goes to age 13 and many leave when they reach 11 so I don't think it's a great option, unless you already have a statement for dyslexia (they seem to be very rare).

I'm afraid I can't help re South London as we were North. Good luck

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. Feel so sad knowing secondary school isn't going to be easy for him (academically speaking) but hopefully I'll find a place that can support him as much as his primary school does now.

It's worth talking to DC. They have various bursaries and excellent SN provision. And the sports facilities and training are superb.

Have you looked at this one? I have no personal experience, except that I know it exists as it is local to me

www.brownsschool.co.uk/

@Priyastar old post I know, but what "friendly, small, creative school" was your child at? We are looking in this area

Warm regards

I was looking at this thread and I notice that you mentinoed that your friend got full funding from the council for her daughter at Fairly House. Included transport from NW London. May I ask how she did this. I need help with my daughter as her mental health is really effected. She has dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia.

I'm very worried as she is in year 4 and very behind. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

I've just noticed this and thought you might like to know that there is a new Assistant Head, Ms Barlow at the Charter East Dulwich who is the Head of SEN and she is a educational psychologist who has specialized in dyslexia. This year she has brought in a new dyslexia and SEN plan and new assessments and plans for all SEN students. She is also working with teachers to help them respond better and has started a Dyslexia Cafe for parents to go and ask questions. I've been pretty impressed.

Aghh... just noticed this is a really old post I replied to! Apologies, just waiting for everyone to get up so we can open the pressies.... irony for those of us parents of teens... now we're the ones up hours before everyone else waiting with anticipation for the day to begin! Merry Xmas!

Look at Moonhall in Reigate. Fantastic school and has school buses from SW LONDON daily

My neighbour has a very dyslexic child who was unable to read when entering secondary, but with outside support and help from the Inclusion / SEN department at Dunraven was reading novels by the end of yr 7.

Scroll down this page www.dunraven.org.uk/440/key-information/category/5/inclusion-including-send . Might be worth asking if the Communication specialism includes dyslexia, or what specific support they offer?

The atmosphere and pastoral support in the school is good, IME . (I have had professional reasons to visit).