Private school for dyslexic child? If you've done this what was good (or bad)?

[Chillywhippet]

Not wanting to get into private v state. I'm looking for experiences good and bad from parents that have sent children with dyslexia to an independent school.

4 kids all dyslexic. We have done the exhausting marathon of getting 3 through secondary. They are bright kids and do not get a statement but do really struggle with processing, especially under exam conditions. Their peers groups are academic and the effect on their self esteem and stress of not being able to perform in exams is horrible. DC2 and DC3 have really struggled and school refused intermittently.

The kids have been to 3 good primaries and 2 good comps. We now live within walking distance of a comp and an independent school. We went to the independent school open day to rule it out for DC4 and blummin liked it. After a nerve wracking time doing the entrance tests they have offered a place, largely because he interviewed "exceptionally well."

I know we are extremely fortunate to be a position to have a choice although paying the fees will have an impact as we are working to pay them without help from family etc.

Any experiences appreciated. DC4 is sensitive, doesn't like too much noise, dyslexic, artistic, musical. Argh. I wish he could go to each school for a term and we could use a time machine to go back and start at the best for him. I know so much depends on your year group, your form etc

Have you spoken to the school about the dyslexia? What support would they offer? I found the response of schools (independent and state) to DD's assessment varied massively from "no thanks" to extremely positive. Several ruled themselves out at that point.

You need to ask about their Learning Support Department - will your child get extra support; does this involve being withdrawn from lessons and, if so, which lessons; who provides the learning support - are they specialist teachers, qualified teachers or LSAs; how does the school organise access arrangements for school exams and for GCSEs; what are the outcomes at GCSE for children who receive learning support.

You would also need to ask if your DC has extra lessons, how much they will cost as usually these lessons are not included in the school fees.

Thank you for those really helpful suggestions. I got myself so het up worrying he may not get offered a place and we would have made him feel like a failure that I hadn't really thought through the next step.

I did discuss his difficulties with the admissions officer, the head and the assistant head and the response was positive. They do have dedicated additional needs staff. They have said they will assess him in September and put in support as according to need. No mention of extra fees but I will clarify.

I will meet with the lead for additional needs too. I haven't been able to speak with her on the open day or visit. I will get a list of questions based on your suggestions.

The year 13 pupil that showed us around said, "I went to nice comp until year 9 but I was underachieving because of my dyslexia but it's been really great here."

A lot of schools don't charge now for extra support especially if pupils are being withdrawn from lessons to attend learning support - most usually MFL and/or Latin. However, if your children are academically able, there is some research which suggests that Latin can be beneficial to children with dyslexia - DD felt that her Latin GCSE supported her understanding of the structure of language and therefore her spelling and grammar. She got 10 A/A* at GCSE including French and Latin. The point of telling you this is to say don't rush into making decisions which may limit DC outcomes if they are academically able with a good work ethic.

Thank you early. Interesting about the Latin. It is compulsory in year 7 and 8 so we can see how it goes.

I did Latin in my comp in the 70s but my older kids haven't done any. DC1 did French GCSE, DC2 did German but gave it up before the exam and DC3 isn't doing MFL at all. So things can only get better!