What to look for choosing school for child with dyslexia?

[Horsemad29]

Hi, Brand new here! Looking for some help please... any tips on what to look for when choosing a secondary school for child with dyslexia? I have looked on the Dept of Education website for the schools stats but what I'm really stuck with is choosing between 2 good schools near me. I will do the open evenings (did last year too). Any tips on what to look out for and ask to see which school best supports a child with dyslexia. Is their a local 'chat' on here to maybe speak with this in my area also about school? I'm in Bristol. Thankyou!

What schools can you actually get into? Does your DC have an ehic plan which will name a school? What is your catchment school and what's the chance of getting into another school?

Basically ask the school what provision they make for dyslexic pupils. What specialist staff do they have? What numbers in school? What is their track record like? What help can each child expect and is it tailored to their needs? Ask to speak to the SENDCO. Just having dyslexia without the school named on a plan will not normally guarantee you the school of your choice.

Ask for appointments with the SENCOs. I ruled out some very good schools by this method. It's not just about how they respond to your questions and your reports if you have them, I was treated with utter disdain by one school (a very good school).

Also put out feelers to other parents. Do any of your DCs friends have siblings at these schools already. Any local SEN or dyslexia FB groups. Other parents are a useful source of info.

No EHCP but will get in as live very very close to one school and the other school I have a child already there.

I approached SENDCO's last year at open eve and all they said was if my child needs it they do small group intivention work once a week, unfortunately dyslexia isn't a SEN that attracts a lot is support. The Stats only show how low attainers did in exams not specifically dyslexic children. So difficult to judge how they actually get on.

Well, even just asking them for an individual meeting might give you some clues, I had one lose emails, mess me around with dates, keep me waiting on arrival, she clearly thought I was wasting her time. A couple of others were polite, organised, happy to explain what they did and how things would work. We chose one of those.

Bristol does not have a good reputation where dyslexia and secondary schools are concerned. I have taught in 3 different secondary schools in Bristol and dyslexia comes very low down on the list of needs. I would focus less on what specific help is offered and much more on how her subject teachers will know about her dyslexia, what modifications can be made e.g. using a laptop for extended writing, extra time to complete work, someone to go to with concerns, support for homework etc.
I recently retired from role as senco in a bristol school and do private tutoring also some free support. I live in Wells in Somerset. pm me if you want to talk further.