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

www.thameschristianschool.org.uk/admissions

Don't be too put off by its name...it's an excellent supportive school that has recently moved into new facilities. So many good reports of children being helped to meet their potential there.

Thank you all. The 13+ entry point would be ideal if we were one year on. My problem is what to do for Y8. Home school and the isolation from his cohort wouldn’t be good for his mental health

Or we find a new school for one year, but that’s yet another change and more disruption - and will be 3 different secondary schools by Y9. I’m struggling to reconcile everything today and wish I had the answers.

Lloyd Williamson

St james in Ashford if they have space - very easy on the train from Putney. They have a year 9 entry if no space in y8.

Is it impossible that he should stay at his current school for one more year? If he knows he is going then perhaps it will be easier to manage.

Or I expect some of the international schools must have spaces.

Portland Place?

I agree that Thomases is a good option.

Looking at the 13+ route, there are possible places for Y9 at Kew House, Radnor and Halliford.

Halliford is all boys and we would all prefer coed.

Kew House or Radnor? They seem similar in many ways. Both smaller schools with a gentler approach.

I would suggest that you arrange to visit all three with your son asap and probably St James as well. Without that many suitable schools on the table you will probably want to visit before excluding any from your list. Also Halliford is mixed at sixth form.

Another thing worth bearing in mind. Are the schools for profit companies or charities? Have heard not so complimentary things about Kew House being very profit focused but have no direct experience.

I know a few who have moved from Kew house due to bullying.
As you have limited options I would suggest going to look at all 3 . I was very co-Ed until seeing what a great fit Halliford and st james would be for us - and All excellent schools and very supportive of SEN. Radnor considerably more money than Halliford and st james and not as sporty but that might not be a factor for you. If you have your heart set on co-Ed then it has to be Radnor. Interestingly quite a few girls left at the end of the current year 8 due to it being boy heavy and joined my daughters school . You will also have the new kneller hall once they finally get plannng which will be amazing once completed

Kingswood house has a school bus service from Wimbledon (near the tennis).it’s a fantastic school for the sort of child you are describing. Good luck x

Would recommend Thomas's Putney Vale. Small class sizes and also has a community feel to the school where all the teachers know the pupils. Apparently GCSEs for current Y11s went well too...

Does it have a Year 8? I thought only Clapham and Battersea had Year 8 and Putney goes from Year 9. I’ll take a look.

Do Thomas’s have a good local reputation for supporting SEN and good pastoral care?

Sorry you're right, I forgot to say that Thomas's PV is only from Year 9 currently.

And yes, Putney Vale has a great SEN department. Whilst it is small, mine have had experience with SEN and Thomas's has been able to support them by taking time with the kids to give them tutoring during break times/free periods. Same with pastoral care wherein the safeguarding team literally know every child's needs/issues due to the small size of the school. However I know that a few kids found this slightly invasive.

I really wouldn’t recommend Radnor

feel free to PM me x

This school primarily teaches in French.

A neighbours son is at Kew house. The son has adhd. There are some bullying issues at the school but she has kept him there. Going into year 8. A few former classmates are at Radnor. Not heard anything negative. I am not sure how big the kneller hall site is. It also isn’t near a station so a bus from Twickenham station is pretty easy. Good luck

Have you looked at Bruern Abbey, near Bicester.

It's weekly boarding. With a bus on Monday and Friday from London.

Have you tried the recently opened school, Burlington House in Tooting?

Where did you go in the end OP? I hope you managed to find a space.
For anyone else with a dyslexic/adhd etc child looking for something different, I thought I'd echo a previous poster recommending Thames Christian School. Despite living close by, I hadn't even heard of it until it was recommended by the Ed Psych my son saw. My son has the same profile as the OP's and is going to be starting this September.
We were initially nervous about the Christian in the title but have heard such good word of mouth reports and have been really impressed during the admissions process. They are definitely a Christian school but have a v mixed intake of all faiths and none.
They are in a brand new building and numbers seem to be going up steadily with now over 200 pupils. For anyone in a similar sutuation to the OP, I definitely think it is worth looking at for anyone who can access Clapham Junction Station easily(it is a 2 min walk).