secondary independant schools devon and cornwall

[meekey]

moving to south west. Son has been initially diagnosed with ADD - bright kid but needs an understanding school with SEN. Having a taster day with Mount Kelly (Tavistock) and st Josephs (Launceston). also considering Truro school and the south devon steiner school. He will be going into year 8, having done 1 year at an academic school in London. We are flexible where we move. Can anyone give any recommendations.

Have you looked at West Buckland. Might be a bit remote for you but they have good value add.
Kingsley in Biddeford is known for its dyslexia provision, not sure re ADD

Thanks Mary, hadn't looked but will. Kingsley we have discounted as appears they specialise in dyslexia

St Joseph's only goes up to GCSE/Year 11, so you would be looking at another school for sixth form, which may, or may not, be an issue. There is also Plymouth College, in Plymouth, and Shebbear College near Holsworthy.

Our DS has just moved to MK for A levels and is enjoying it. Be aware that there are lots of overseas students and swimmers so the year groups can feel quite small despite the total numbers.

What about Exeter? It's an excellent school, very academic and with great results. The learning support is also good; sadly from our base, it's too far away but if you are free to choose your own location, it would be worth a look. After that, there's Blundells in Tiverton, and on into Somerset. Do give thought to the distances involved. Devon and Cornwall have lots of B and C roads, public transport is fairly rubbish, and school runs can be slow because of holiday traffic (and tractors) as well as commuters.

Yes we knew that about St Josephs, but its the pastoral care that we are attracted to as opposed to the academic.

I spoke to admissions at MK who sounded really positive on pastoral and support, but apart from a blog I haven't really read much other than the school website for St Josephs.