Mild ADHD, Independent schools

[vcfromhk]

Hi my child was diagnosed with mild ADHD a few years ago. She is good in language abilities but struggles with Maths. Its not that she doesn't get it, she used to be in special groups earlier and is now part of normal class and she has improved.

Is it mandatory for me to declare to independent schools in UK about her diagnosis few years ago? Can they refuse her admission into year 7 on this basis? We are moving to London from abroad. Most good independent schools have exams which I doubt my daughter can clear, hence I am concentrating on talking to schools which dont conduct exams.

Is it better to find state schools in such case? Will my child get preference in such a case?

Many application forms for independents now ask about additional needs and access arrangements for entry tests. Some can be accommodating others less so. If your child is declined a place you would not know whether they were screened out. Without an EHCP she would not get priority over and above another child on a state secondary on basis on her diagnosis.

Thanks for your answer. How does she get ECHP? We haven’t moved to London as yet. Will IB schools be more accommodating?

There are relatively few UK schools which follow IB before sixth form. Some are more selective than others. An EHCP allows a specific state school to be selected to meet needs but many children with mild issues would not qualify for one. I think you need to be resident to start the process, most are done via schools but parents can apply themselves to their Local Authority. If you are looking at year 7 for this year the application deadline has already passed for state schools, so your would only be considered after first round places are allocated. Independent schools will be assessing already.

Dd has a diagnosis of another Send and we were told by head of prep to be totally upfront, otherwise apparently they can refuse entry after offer if you haven’t been honest. Plus you want the best support and you wouldn’t want to put dd in a school which doesn’t want to accommodate send needs? So far having attached the reports to applications, we still have a place and a second round interview at two good schools