St Benedicst versus Kew House

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Having tough decision re both schools for my DS with mild dyslexia. Would love to hear from parents with experience for either school. We like the small class size and longer course schedule of KH, but also have heard really great things about St benedicts - very happy community and good pastorale care, with strong senco and sports. Our DS really loves and is strong in science and math, but really does well in a school focused on confidence building in addition to learning.

From various friends with children there, I have heard that the SEN provision at KH is very poor so might not be ideal for your ds with mild dyslexia. Unless it is very mild and he won't need special provision.

I thought SEN provision at Kew House was one of its strengths?

I thought KH was good for SEN too, but have also read some mumsnet posts which state the same view as you. My DS has his own dyslexic tutor he goes to once a week and doesnt use the SEN at his current school. That said, if they weren't helpful in things like having him in a lower set for english, etc that wouldn't be great. mimbleandlittlemy can you give more details on your friends experience? Anyone with views on St benedicts would be great too!

Obviously it's second hand, not my own dc, but the school seem very slow to recognise and act on any form of SEN. One friend has just finally got the school to accept there is a problem with their dc, two months before GCSEs and they have been frantically flagging this up since Y7. Another says they were in the school pretty much every day with their dc's dyslexia as nothing was happening/being done. The lack of parents' evenings seems to make it worse and one teacher wouldn't let a friend's dc drop into a lower set and do Foundation (there was no way with their problems they were going to pass Higher) purely because "everyone in her class did Higher". One friend, whose child doesn't have any problems, has been there since the very first year, 7 years ago, and can't wait to get out! But then other people love it and I say again, I have no direct experience.

There's a good possibility that your kid won't get in to KH if they have dyslexic problems. They say they go on the interview, but I think they screen on tests too. My son is excellent verbally. Great

Posted too soon. He is intelligent but his dyslexia and dyspraxia hinder him. I got the impression KH couldn't be bothered with it. No experience of Benedict's

No direct experience but a friend has children there who went to the linked prep so went on a guaranteed place. 2 of her 3 children have dyslexia , one quite severely and they seem to be getting support and she has been happy enough to send all her children there.

Boris, maybe that's why they didn't want him then as he came from a local state school not a feeder. Has saved us money anyway!

KH has excellent SEN support. They actually suggested that we test my eldest (wouldn't have occurred to me) and supported her through GCSEs very well. Currently working with them to have my younger child assessed. There are many kids with dyslexia/dyspraxia in the school. Pastoral care is also fabulous. Perhaps rely on reports from parents in the school than what people "have heard".

Thanks Absolutechaos! I have now spoken with loads of parents whose children go to KH and have heard exactly what you have said from them. The kids who attend absolutely love it, are getting excellent results (because of the pastoral care plus teaching), who all have very different interests (math, science, DT, to excellent drama), and the SEN has been highly recommended. Thanks for your update. My son has chosen KH so we look forward to it. That said, we also heard great things about St benedicts too and it was a tough choice. Glad the 11+ is done.

I'm glad it worked out for you. We didn't sit the 11+ (came to the UK after) thank goodness as the stress would have killed me. My kids are both STEM oriented and have loved all the opportuities offered by the school. I hope your son has a great experience.

I have had two terrible experiences at both Kew and St Benedicts. They both make assumptions on what your child may/ may not need. Kew withdrew my son’s place on the last day of term leaving me high and dry for senior school in September. Their Senco spoke to my son for five minutes (not tabled as an assessment) and left him in tears. I’m shocked beyond words that a person who is paid to protect abs support vulnerable children could unapologetically make a 10 year old child cry.

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