Chigwell, Forest, Bancrofts….. how academic?

[Herewegoagainnnnnn]

Whittling down the list for secondary and wanting to know thoughts on HOW academic the above are and whether they do indeed look at the whole child when assessing suitability.

my gut is Bancrofts is super academic and any child even with a mild SEN need really wont be catered for, but unsure about the other two - when visiting the schools previously both have appears to step away from just academics and looking for more well rounded kids that will still keep up but who knows if that’s for show.

Anyone have recent-ish experience?

Sen comes in all different forms so not necessarily. What type of Sen does your child have?

dyslexia and sensory. All three when we have spoken to them make positive noises about support and not just hot housing for academics but interested in others experiences of the schools.

Dyslexia is very broad, very much depends on severity. Same with sensory. Is it mostly clothing? Or noises? Make a list of non negotiable things your child needs and work backwards. Eg:
Huge no to scratchy polyester- how strict are you on uniform?
Hates noise at lunch- is it possible to eat in learning support or possibly a games club?
Great with maths but not spelling- what support do they give in English and vice versa.
Do they set? How? How quickly do sets move?
How much learning support is included in the fees?
How does timetabling for learning support work? Are they expected to attend before school, at lunch or after school? Or is it integrated within timetable? By y9 they will refuse to go if it's not integrated.
Are the learning support staff specialists?
How do they track progress of learning support? I've seen some woeful tracking in independents.
How often do you have reviews?
Do they work with an external EP?
How do access arrangements work in internal exams? If they're not able to give them in all exams, how does this reflect scores? Will your child end up stuck in a set lower than their ability due to no access arrangements in internal exams?

You get the point.

thanks. Yes, we’ve asked questions about the accommodations required and they have all been like ‘yes it’s fine we support X,Y and Z’, and all been fine when we have pre discussed entrance exams and potential accommodations required. However, I’m looking for anyone who has experience with these schools and can say what’s it’s really like on the ground in respect of treating kids like individuals and not just focusing on academics at end of the day. Sadly from experience what schools say they are able to support and their ethos sadly doesn’t always match up!

I know kids forced out due to dyslexia wnd lack of support from 2 of those schools
The state comps in NE London get the same resulrs for most able children
Know several people who have removed kids from 2 of those schools for failure to support outsife of SEN/ told to self fund, nothing outside 9-5 is included/ available.
Save your money!

I get what you're saying but my point is really that you need to find out for yourself and get it in writing. If they won't give you specific info now, they won't once they have your money and have you tied to a contract.
Other people's experiences are helpful, but be mindful that everyone's experiences within a school will vary. My DD has just moved from a comp where she had the most amazing SEN support and I had a brilliant relationship with the team there. In my volunteer work I have seen parents approach us for legal help as they were so unhappy in that same school. It is so so tricky to know as it'll depend on the staff there at the time, as well as your child's particular year group.

@MadeiraBaby really interested in your comment re the local comps achieving same results for the most able children - what evidence shows this? Would love to see it as secondary choices are such a headache.

Right so forgive my rough maths and assumptions:

• these 3 private schools all get approx 70% 7-9 at GCSE
• local state comps get 36-38% 7-9 at GCSE

This means 30% at these private schools dont get 7-9 GCSE despite being selected. Hmm

At state comps, in a class of 25 my two kids have 2 perm in isolation unit/ behavioural issues, plus 2 learning delay or severe autism. This means if both kids classes are replicable, then around 20% at state comp are not going to get even grade 5 (lower ability).

This means state comp is this: 38% 7-9 high ability; 20% unable to compete/SEN; approx 40% 'in the middle' grades 4-6

These 3 private schools have 30% 'in the middle' grade 4-6.

With state comp also get contextual offers ie lower grade ask at uni at A Level.

I wouldnt pay £150k approx (£18k x7yr plus costs) for that measurement. if purely looking at academics for uni.

Know many parents paying £35ph tuition x 3-4 sessions per week from Yr10 to ensure the 7-9. Much much cheaper!!