Recommend me a school... Anywhere!!

[SquareInSquare]

I am a secondary teacher and my daughter is in year 5 so I've been looking at secondary schools.

They all make me want to cry. I've honestly not seen a school I'd be happy to send her to, including my own.

She is severely dyslexic but loves reading and is exceptional at maths. Dyslexia would likely prevent her passing the 11+ but we're not in a grammar area anyway.

So I'm looking to move house and want a creative, happy, academic comprehensive.

Currently live in the south west but not adverse to moving further if there's a school that will help her thrive.

Thank you!

What are your constraints? Would you want (or be able to afford) to move to London or the South East?

Do you want co-ed or single sex, or don't you mind?

Do you want, or would you qualify for, a CofE or Catholic school?

More generally, how about looking at the list of top comprehensives in the recent Times Guide?

Where in South west are you

What is it about the schools you've looked at that make you want to cry? Are they too big? Too unfriendly? Too unkempt? Do they feel threatening? Are they rough?

What are you looking for in a school for your DD? That might help posters to give you good information.

Thanks for the questions.

@Fifthtimelucky, can't afford London i wouldn't expect, also not a massive fan of big cities anyway.

I would probably say co-ed, but i don't know why, i don't have any knowledge of single sex.

I have looked at the Times (that was my only original plan) but aside from the London bias i was also struck by a thread on here today about outstanding schools and it made me realise that there is more than data.

We're not religious but wouldn't worry if the school was.

@Unsuredad123 i don't really want to say exactly as it's a small town and i sorry someone will recognise me, but roughly north Wiltshire (certainly not Cornwall !). Quite fancy moving Devon way though.

@maranella the school where i work has very bad SEN provision and the behaviour is worsening, although i suspect that is a similar picture nationally post covid.

It makes me upset to see underfunded arts, not many extra curricular activities, non specialist staff, too much focus on "intervention" for maths and English, and general low level behaviour issues.

I haven't seen anywhere i would describe as threatening or rough, but students out of class or head on the desk.

Thanks again for your input. The questions are helpful.

Just did a quick Google.
This isn't a personal recommendation as I'm not familiar with the area, nor the school.

www.moonhallschoolreigate.co.uk/

Here's another one. Again, unfamiliar with the area and the school.

www.frewencollege.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAofieBhDXARIsAHTTldqzx8eye3H05dkLYdgUj5ARL95hBbLZOyXlBBnwt27yhjOBS3Dv29UaAlp8EALw_wcB

And one more, a little nearer to me but I'm not personally familiar with the school.

www.gow.org/about/our-approach-to-ld/learning-differences/dyslexia?gclid=Cj0KCQiAofieBhDXARIsAHTTldo_g6-YTnX1_JASdJfYjeCaAmny-n-CwR4My8I4j-luplUfwLH1Cg0aAmmAEALw_wcB

So you’re looking for a school where you’d work and she would join? Would private with staff fees discount work?

That's a good idea @Vermin i hadn't considered that as i have no experience of the private sector, and also I'm not sure the discount would be enough, she has younger siblings to account for to

I am not unhappy working at my school, but wouldn't be happy with my daughter going there, so it doesn't have to be a two for one deal but that could work well.

I don't know specifics OP but I heard that Exeter has a reputation of having good secondaries so may be worth looking there as you mentioned Devon.

Don’t move to Devon if SEN is a concern! Read LA ofsted report and follow up visit.

@SquareInSquare what do you teach? If it's a subject with shortages (e.g. maths) you could apply for a job in any good school that has an appropriately worded staff clause in its admissions policy. Then your child would be prioritised for admission, and you wouldn't need to pay a premium to live nearby.

I would recommend our school, but it's in Greater London.

What do you teach?

Look at this list of Crested (dyslexia accredited) schools.

As your DD is severely dyslexic she could get an EHCP which in turn (probably with a fight) could name an independent school which would be funded by your LA.

crested.org.uk/parents-find-a-school.html

Trinity in Newbury has a dyslexia unit I think. I don't have personal experience of it but gather results are good at the school. Do teachers get priority places for their DC these days? I have a feeling they might here. You might be able to commute from Wiltshire.

Have a look at The Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis. Several families I know are very happy with it.

If you would consider a specialist school look at Bredon. They do allow parents to self fund, but you could also pursue an EHCP to fund it.

Thanks so much for the help. We did go through the EHCP process last year but she was assessed as not requiring one. She manages fine, my comment was really in relation to 11+, and the reason I'm looking for a comp.

Thank you @Marisquita that looks brilliant, the exact sort of thing, and size of town, I'm looking for.

My subject is languages. So yes, a shortage, and that is a good idea @layzinaboot . So if anyone has any schools in an hours radius of Chippenham I wouldn't even need to move house!

Although if you're SLT and find an application from me, pretend you didn't see me on here please.

Did you appeal the EHCP refusal? The vast majority of appeals are upheld, with severe dyslexia you stand a very good chance. Many LAs refuse as a matter of course.

Thanks @JustKeepBuilding i didn't appeal. I didn't realise it would be worth it. People always think I would have some insight as a teacher, but actually I'm clueless.

Thanks @Anonon @KickingScreaming and @Skiphopbump for your suggestions. I will look them all up.