Secondary school near Putney for ADHD & dyslexic boy going into Year 8

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Our secondary school isn't working out. Despite much reassurance in the lead up to applying and throughout the induction, we are finding the SEN department are lacking in experience and know how. They don't want to facilitate access arrangements or provide any meaningful support. I'm keen not to delve into a discussion about that, which could be another thread in itself, and keen to focus on finding school that's going to be a better fit for our son.

We need to be 45mins maximum travel time from Putney and I'm reasonably confident he could take the train or bus independently.

He needs a smaller school, co-ed and with a good sports provision. Able to handle access arrangements for GCSE with an experienced SEN team. He has average attainment levels, above average in STEM subjects but below in languages and English because of poor working memory and dyslexia.

We have thought about approaching these schools so far but they're all mainstream and I don't know how to find out about the smaller, slightly specialist schools that actively support SEN.

Kew House
Radnor House
Hampton Court House

Can anyone recommend some more? Thank you

You need to check the travel but also
Mainstream
Ewell Castle
Downsend
Cranmore School
London Park School Clapham

Then Frensham Heights in Surrey

Fulham School. Collingham College - may be too far, but GCSE is supposed to be excellent.

I wouldn’t recommend Frensham.

Good luck.

Thames Christian College?

As it's an in year transfer you need to find out who has spaces

Thank you all. Please keep the recommendations coming. We've made an in year application but there are no spaces currently available across the borough. That may change in September. I think we need a smaller, independent school.

The Hall School Wimbledon - Coed, not particularly selective and small.

Burlington House (used to be called the Moat School).

https://www.morehouseschool.co.uk/ More House. Excellent school but he might need to be a weekly boarder. Set up for dyslexia and other SEN issues. I hear nothing but good things about it.

This post is very helpful as I’m in the same situation for a child going into Y9.

Do you have experience of Collingham? I went to see it and thought it was lovely, but numbers are tiny. They have entry from Y9. Fees are eye-watering considering you don’t get any extras (including lunch), but I am sure they get the results. Head of GCSEs was lovely - very down to earth and understanding. Very nice range of options, but this is not a traditional school set-up.

I would not recommend Kew or MVS (sister school) at all. I suggest you search the posts on here.

St James Boys’ Senior in Ashford (Surrey) is on my list. School bus from Olympia. From what I can tell, they are SEN friendly.

Furrher afield, Shiplake in Henley has come up on my searches.

More House in Farnham (already mentioned).

I'd be very surprised if you could get to Hampton Court House from Putney in 45 minutes. Do visit! It's an acquired taste.

Canbury school on Kingston hill?

Halliford. Train to Richmond and then express school bus service (25 mins from Richmond station)

Could he get to Ealing? St Benedicts is nice, very sporty and had good SEN provision when my daughter (ADHD) was there.

Hi all, posting again as the above schools have no spaces and we're at a loss. Considering Thomas's Clapham for 1 year then a transfer to the new Thomas's College on Richmond Hill.

I was hopeful for Kew House but they say the current Year 8 (Sept 2024) is full and have heard bullying is an issue. We need a really strong pastoral department that will handle any issues effectively.

Are the London Park Schools all full for Year 8?

The Hall?
All of the schools are full? Every single one?

That shows that VAT is not hitting yet, just as an aside. Interesting.

I hope you find a place OP. It's so stressful waiting I do understand. Could you move right next to the best state school in your area and go on the waiting list? Not supposed to I know.. hope it won't get flamed on here!

Canbury School in Kingston

Did you try Halliford?

Halliford are full sadly.

The Hall School in Wimbledon could work geographically, but I know nothing about it. Is it academically very competitive? Historic threads on here suggest so but the school website gives a different impression.

London Park Schools an option but we haven't had positive feedback from a current parent.

A teacher friend thinks Canbury is too specialist for our son, and that he needs something more mainstream.

Kingswood House in Epsom say on their website they have places for Year 8 and are SEN friendly.

MN posters from previous threads seem to be positive.

Thank you, I'll look into this school too. Quite a journey but plenty commute to Epsom College from here.

There are two hall schools. One is I think in north london and is academic. I thought it was just a prep school tbh. Gets lots into St Pauls etc each year.

The hall school in Wimbledon is quite small. I know nothing about it but might be worth a visit.

A shame Halliford is full. Could be worth staying in touch in case a place comes up. No sign of a vat exodus yet in South west London.

What about st james in Ashford? Also could your son sit for year 9 at Halliford when they have an intake of approx 20 ?

Knightsbridge School might be a good fit. Small, decent sport, really god SEN department,

Definitely look at Thames Christian College in Clapham.