What kind of secondary to send dyslexic DS to?

[Celesteville]

My son was diagnosed with dyslexia aged 6 and as he was struggling so profoundly with reading and maths, we decided to move him to a small private school and keep him down a year as he has a late July birthday.

He did Year 1 twice and it did what we hoped, he was able to finally grasp the phonics and he has consistently been about the middle of his cohort since then which is wonderful but we are very conscious that he is old for the year and has to work very hard to keep up, which may increase as the years go by. He is very sporty and into football, and good at drawing which we encourage him to do as much as possible as he still does not read fluently. He is now in Year 5 and just had the CAT test scores back- he has a mean score of 112, with a slightly higher verbal and lower spatial score. I don't really know what this means?

His current school advises boys with these scores to go for boarding out of London, which we can't possibly afford. Does anyone have any advice on what kind of school to go for? We are willing to move out of London for a good state school or private day option... for example to Cambridge which is near where I grew up. I just don't know what kind of place would serve him best.

I don't think you need to be exiled to the country with those scores! Though, it is trickier for boys in London because there aren't as many options as for the girls.

There are schools that recognise that intelligence isn't limited by dyslexia and have enough differentiation across pupil abilities to cater to learning differences, especially if your son can keep up with the middle of the pack. Radnor House, Kew House/Maida Vale, St. Benedicts, St. James, may all be worth a look depending on your location.

112 is in the upper end of average iirc. However you need to consider which might take him out of year. State options may not. There must be less selective day schools nearby, whereabouts are you in London?

My son has similar scores and is also dyslexic - these scores are above the uk average so don’t panic ! Depending on where you are in London makes a big difference. But we have a place at st james in Ashford and are also sitting for Halliford. Both are only slightly selective (Halliford deliberately take a range of abilities) and are very open to dyslexia and SEN children - both also do well in a levels .

Thank you all, so helpful just to work out where he might sit overall- he is so bright in speaking and listening but much much lower in reading and writing. We are in NW London so can look at Maida Vale etc. but would also move for a great state school or private with an amazing SEN.

But a "great state school" may not take him out of year.

That's true. Would need to speak to the borough of anywhere regarding state.

Hi @Celesteville

CAT 100 is state school average. Typically to get in to Highgate your looking at 120 average, Belmont / Mill Hill 110, but some independent schools are non selective:

Would look at North Bridge House, Maidavale, Heathside ....

Speaking as a teacher AND as a mother to a dyslexic child, I would just view as many schools as possible, asking specifically to SEE their SEN provision. Also ask (in writing and get a reply in writing) what provision they will make for your son.

You also need to accept you will probably need to pay for top-up private tutoring. Current rates are £35+ per hour, but go for a trained dyslexia expert.

You may well find there is better SEN provision in a state school in an area with a lot of EAL students, due to better funding.

Positive side to this is that you'll have resources to put into lots of private tutoring.

I can’t add any direct experience but a very close friend is looking at these two schools (both independents, both South of London) for her bright dyslexic Primary aged DD. Moon Hall is a dyslexic specialising school with good academic GCSE results (which I think she’s leaning towards). The other school has (Bethany) she’s also considering as she’s heard positive things about their experience of supporting children with dyslexia.

Hope this is of help!

www.moonhallschoolreigate.co.uk/school-life/examination-results

www.bethanyschool.org.uk/headmasters-welcome/

Friend's DC is similar with yours and also suggested to board outside of London but now very happy at Maida Vale.

We know dyslexic children who are thriving at St James in Ashford, definitely worth a look and it has a good train connection from sw London.