SW/SE London or Surrey indy schools for academic DD with SN

[minipie]

DD is only y4 but I am starting to think about secondaries because she is quite complicated! And because we may need to move area to access the “right” school or schools.

She is naturally academic, loves learning, top sets in high achieving London prep. English and VR/non VR are especially strong but maths is also pretty good. Very chatty and outwardly confident.

But. She has cerebral palsy which has is pretty mild physically but has other effects. She gets very tired and homework past 5/5.30pm is a battle. She is quite impulsive and reactive and can get anxious and wound up very easily (I have wondered about ADHD). Some sensory behaviours - hums, fiddles. From recent school reports it seems some of her teachers love her, but others find her able but a bit annoying (reading between the lines!!)

She will need teachers who are willing to take the time to work with bright but “non standard issue” children to get the best out of them, and be understanding of the impact of her condition.

Are there any London or inner Surrey independent schools that would fit the bill? Are any of the more academic schools particularly good with SN? I love the look of Wimbledon High for example, but it’s hugely selective so perhaps may not be great with SN even if she got in? KGS the same? Emanuel is near us, and the 10+ option appeals, but again not sure how it does with slightly trickier children? Also looking at schools further west (the clusters near Hampton or Kingston) or Surrey schools if they run buses into SW London.

Of course, I know the 11+ is a bunfight and so we will need to apply for several anyway… but it would be great to get some ideas for where we might consider.

Thank you

Kingswood House in Epsom would fit your description. Runs buses to SW London.

Thank you, I don’t know that one and will have a look!

I’ve just sent you a PM.

Ah just realised it only goes to GCSE alpaca which is a shame - I would much prefer somewhere she can stay through to A levels.

Any further views welcome!

I would go for a smaller setting, the large girls schools are tough.
Maybe speak to the Head of Ewell Castle and also Hampton Court House.

Thanks. Yes I think smaller would suit her better.

Although she’s currently in a year of 60+ and it’s fine, but then less is expected of her at primary

Maybe St Catherine's in Twickenham and Radnor House too.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I notice they are all for smaller, gentler possibly more quirky schools.

Are the better known academic (Wimbledon, KGS, LEH etc) or mainstream but slightly less academic (Emanuel, Claremont Fan Court) schools a real no no for her? In many ways I think an academic school would suit her but it would need to be one that can deal with “square pegs”.

It can be well worth a phone call or email to schools you are considering. I had a "could this work" query which I sent to Emanuel admissions and received a very prompt, detailed and positive response.

Another thought: Sutton High? It's only gently selective academically - so not perhaps as obviously academic as you are looking for - but by all accounts it does well by its girls, with a caring and inclusive ethos. I only have second-hand knowledge of it, though.

We've had really good experience of SEN at Wimbledon High. Please feel free to pm me. I have friends with good experiences at Emanuel and KGS too.

Thank you Honor and Expulso

Honor when you say a “could this work” email to Emanuel, do you mean you set out certain needs and asked if they could manage them?

I will have a look at Sutton definitely.

Expulso that sounds very encouraging, I will PM you, thank you.

You may find as well that the tiredness, homework battles etc get better as she gets older. She is still very young and many Y4s would not be getting much homework at all.
It may be that a bigger school may suit- more children to find her tribe, particularly if she's a bit 'quirky'. And Co-Ed may be better. Latymer Upper has a very good SEN department but may not be good location wise for you.

falafellala. I know, it is a bit early as she’s just started y4! Some things are improving others not so much (perhaps they will). But some of the possible schools have a 10+ option, so thought I should start thinking about it now as we’ll need to decide about the 10+ entry options within a year I think.

I will look at Latymer Upper, it’s too far from us currently, but we are willing to consider an area move as don’t want her doing a long journey to and from school ideally. I agree a larger school gives a better chance of finding friends she clicks with!

Hi,

As your daughter is in the top set and I will assume has high CATs, it might be a good idea to go for a highly academic school, however, I guess the question is if she will be able to maintain those scores long term. I know a lot of people will disagree with this statement, but the reality is that Independent schools do not like to deal with behavioural issues such as hyperactivity and if a student lowers their grades from the expected A or A* you might be asked to take your child somewhere else. It is the nature of highly academic schools, even if they might be pastorally good, but your daughter might flourished in that environment with a few concessions and support outside the school.

As she has a diagnosis, you are obliged to disclose it during application time, not disclosing it might result in the offer being withdrawn. And yet, it is here where it might get tricky. Independent schools are not in a legal obligation to accept any child, hence they can pick and chose. You do want to disclose her needs, as you want to make sure that whatever school you go for, they will be happy to help her and assist you. As Honor pointed out, best to ask them if they will be willing and open to assist her.

On that front, I know that Claremont Fan Court is making a jump from mildly selective to selective and they are not open to take children with SEN unless your child comes one of the top children in their entrance exam and you get past their SENCo, which you can do by having your current Head to send a glowing reference directly to the Head of CFC. I heard something similar about Emmanuel, but I am not 100% sure to be honest on that school.

You are hinting that your child can do mainstream despite her limitations, so keep on that front, maybe a mix of highly academic and non selective can be the right mix. But I personally (as a mum with a SEN child who is highly academic as well) I would say, call the 10+ schools you are interested and see if they open to take her and then move to the 11+ but always be open about her needs, they are not going to go away and as hormones start to kick they will affect those issue they struggle with.

Best on the journey

Hi SpLDLSA thanks for your reply, I only just saw it.

Yes, I am definitely concerned about the possibility of getting in but then being asked to leave further down the line . I want to avoid schools which say they are supportive but aren’t as soon as there is any actual issue.

I have just asked school for her CAT scores but I would expect them to be high. I know she is top notch at English, VR and non VR, less stellar at maths but is top set and doesn’t find it hard to keep up.

Sorry posted too soon

What you say about CFC and Emanuel is a bit worrying, it sounds as if they are ok with SEN but only if it doesn’t cause any actual problems… which of course it will or else it wouldn’t be a SEN…

@minipie ... Not all SEN children have behavioural issues and I think this is what comes down to it in some cases. If the child is not a behavioural issue, ind sector is more willing to deal with it.

Check Emmanuel for sure, I know first hand that is CFC approach, so if there are some behavioural issues don't even bother. A good benchmark for you to know is that if your DD qualifies for extra time and special accommodations in exams, this includes the extra time, and they decline to give it, then that's not the right place for her. In theory, schools are obligued to honour diagnosis requests for access arrangements, but in practice, independent schools don't always do it.

Have you checked St John's leatherhead? I was very impressed by their SEN department and willingness to work with you.

I wouldn’t be too naive about how some of the top selective schools you’ve mentioned really are exam factories. If your daughter can keep up/excel academically then fine but if not I’d be super worried about a lack of interest from the school from persevering with her as they can get the same results from other girls without the extra factors to consider. Hence some slightly less academic options where they’re aiming to become more academic might be better. It’s a ruthless market out there.

That’s fair Boombastic. I certainly don’t want her to go somewhere where she isn’t wanted. You’re right a slightly lower tier school may have more interest in getting the most from her academically.

By the way when I say lower tier schools I certainly don’t mean they are worse schools! Just lower in terms of the level of selectiveness.

Ewell Castle perhaps?

Have you considered More House in Knightsbridge?

Maybe Priorsfield in Godalming?
Or consider a move to Kent for grammar schools ?

I have heard good things about Ibstock and also St John's Leatherhead. From families with high functioning asd children and those not hugely into sport.