Cobham Free School and SEND provision (for Dyslexic). Any experience?

[Eshermummy2017]

Any experience with the senior school?

No experience of Cobham Free School, but as it sounds like you're in Surrey, I can recommend Kingswood House School in Epsom as very good for children with SEND (or who just prefer a slightly gentler and less regimented pace at school). It's a small school and it sounds like a cliche but it really does feel like a family: I was amazed at how fast everyone got to know my DC (in a good way, not because DC had become notorious!). They have high expectations of their students, but because they do know them all individually, they have a certain flexibilty in their approach. I've been very impressed by them!

Hi,
I do have experience with Cobham Free School, and unfortunately, I cannot recommend it. In my view, the school is poorly managed, and there is a clear pattern of favouritism—children of the most vocal parents seem to be prioritised, while others are consistently overlooked. If you’re not one of those parents who constantly speaks up, your child may end up being left behind time and again.
It breaks my heart to witness this repeatedly, and it's one of the key reasons we’ve decided to leave the school. While they present themselves as having high standards and even liken themselves to a private school, the reality falls far short. PE and games are minimal, the academic standards are underwhelming, and there seems to be a general culture of low expectations.
I could go on, but in short—don’t be swayed by the reputation or the marketing. It may look good on the outside, but once you’re in, the experience can be deeply disappointing.

Sadly, I would have to agree with MomofThree. We've got two kiddos at Cobham Free School senior department, one with some Send needs, but neither of them have received the pastoral or academic support they need. There is a lot of virtue signaling, but very little effort to actually understand young teens and what they are facing in the world today. There's a huge focus on making sure teachers' kids (of which there are many) are given priority in things, a senior leadership team who has actively made me want to remove both my children (we are looking elsewhere) and a totally unjustified snobbery. Sports options very limited, and I know the GCSE year has been struggling to get to the end of their coursework in time. My two were at the primary school for a time, too, so we are really really disappointed and we constantly hear the same from other parents. The discipline is insane and very little respect given to kids' individuality. Sadly, it's a case of mouth and no trousers. We could not recommend.