If your DC is at a really kind, SEN inclusive, independent secondary with great teaching, please come and tell me about it. SW London and Surrey

[Sundial1]

Hi all, the title says it all. We're looking for a really kind and inclusive school where the kids support each other and the teaching is great. DC has mild dyslexia and possible ADHD but without the hyperactivity.

He needs support building strong friendships - he's kind and generous and can be taken advantage of or encouraged into doing something silly for laughs.

He's also easily distracted and can be impulsive when he's stressed or bored, so a school that can manage that behaviour well. I'm not looking for a school with a low bar for behaviour but also don't want a very punitive approach.

We live in Barnes and would want DC to travel independently. Ideally no more than a 45 min journey each way.

Box Hill school? But the journey might be a bit long.

Thames Christian School in Clapham Junction could fit the bill

Also came on to say St James in Ashford. The journey is easy by train. They are more popular for year 7 every these days but still worth asking them

Would you consider boarding? Bruern Abbey could be a good fit.

Have you looked at Harrodian given your location?
thomas college opens in Richmond for 2025 and sounds like it will fit the bill.
Clapham Park School too.

By the way your ds sounds lovely

Might be worth a look at the London Park Schools - one by Clapham South, one in Piccadilly. They are new, smaller senior schools who say they will have a more holistic approach to education - I suspect they will be taking a lot of pupils who have not suited the 11+ for the competitive day schools.

I was going to suggest Halliford or St James. Both have a great reputation for nurture, kindness, inclusivity and support for DC with SEN. I know of very happy boys at both. DS sat for Halliford and it has a lovely vibe (and the headmaster is great) - he opted for another school in the end but I would have been very happy to send him to there.

To be absolutely honest, I would caution against Claremont or St Georges Weybridge for a child needing support for SEN - just based on what I know/have heard from friends with DC there. Both are great schools with fabulous opportunities for the right kind of child, but I wouldn't choose either for a DC with the profile the OP describes.

Did DS get extra time in his written assessments for his dyslexia @Sundial1 ?

@Sundial1 which school did you decide on after all? Also looking for a similar setting

@Sundial1I know old thread but also wondered where your DS ended up? On the hunt for something very similar for my DD. (Currently looking in particular at Thames Christian and London Park School.)

Burlington House in Fulham (Bishop’s Park), Cavendish Group school, specialized in dyslexia, very small, very nurturing. Friends kids very happy there; my son goes to their specialist ASD school Holmewood in north London (which is brilliant), I like the Cavendish ethos

sorry didn’t notice this was an old thread