Relocating to Newbury Secondary School advise for SEN- Dyslexia

crumpets2020 · 2025-07-22T12:18:20+00:00

Hi, I am looking for any advise/ local insights please. We are looking to move to Newbury next year, my son will be starting year 7 and has quite severe dyslexia and possible autism. Does anyone know which schools have good resources for sen in mainstream. Any advise would be gratefully received… Thanks :)

Bluevelvetsofa · 22/07/2025 15:15

Does he have an EHCP?

Sweetbeansandmochi · 22/07/2025 15:21

Without an EHCP - then your choice will be guided by what catchment you are in.

Are you going to move for the school or do you have a house/area already that you know you are going to move to?

Original poster

crumpets2020 · 22/07/2025 16:41

Sorry meant to say yes he does have an EHCP

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Original poster

crumpets2020 · 22/07/2025 16:43

We don’t have a house or area in mind at the moment, we may rent for a year to get to know the area better. We have been to visit several times but it’s very tricky to narrow down an area

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Sweetbeansandmochi · 22/07/2025 17:52

An EHCP is good as it will give you more options.

Trinity has an Autism resource base. The Headteacher is a powerhouse. She has also been there a long time and is well established. - Shaw area.

Park House Sen department- anecdotally I have heard good things about the Sen department. A while ago there was a lot of complaining that the senior leaders were too harsh but they have just got Ofsted Outstanding. And I think they were just establishing control after a really tricky time . -

You do have to look at the catchement area for Park House and St Barts because they are geographically 5 mins apart BUT you can live nearer to one school but be in the catchement for the other.

St Barts - this is the most over subscribed school in the area. It has a been outstanding for years. It really depends on who you speak to - my children went there and I rate it highly. But, I didn’t have any contact with the Sen department. They do things well with lots of extra curricular activities. I have been impressed by any staff I have met, although their uniform rules are antiquated and annoy me a lot - especially from a Sen perspective.

Kennet - It’s in Thatcham. The couple of people I know who work in the Sen department there are lovely, professional and hardworking.

The Clere (Hampshire) don’t know anything to give you any advice.

The schools in Newbury really are the best the state system has to offer in my opinion. I have worked as a teacher in West Berkshire, Oxford and Hampshire and on the whole the general educational standard is high and behaviour is good.

So I think you are making a great choice!

Pompomweasel · 22/07/2025 18:39

I have a feeling Trinity has some sort of provision for dyslexia. I remember a colleague saying something about it a few years ago.

My dd went to St Barts. It's a big school but they have a sense of belonging due to houses. My dd has a few friends with autism. They've all done well I think. All seem to be heading off for uni or vocational courses. I couldn't have asked for a better school for dd. That side of town is quite nice to live too. There are the battlefields for walking, plus the canal is not far. It's also a safe walk to town with a regular bus. I know Trinity is well regarded but not much more.

Original poster

crumpets2020 · 22/07/2025 18:40

Sweetbeansandmochi · 22/07/2025 17:52

An EHCP is good as it will give you more options.

Trinity has an Autism resource base. The Headteacher is a powerhouse. She has also been there a long time and is well established. - Shaw area.

Park House Sen department- anecdotally I have heard good things about the Sen department. A while ago there was a lot of complaining that the senior leaders were too harsh but they have just got Ofsted Outstanding. And I think they were just establishing control after a really tricky time . -

You do have to look at the catchement area for Park House and St Barts because they are geographically 5 mins apart BUT you can live nearer to one school but be in the catchement for the other.

St Barts - this is the most over subscribed school in the area. It has a been outstanding for years. It really depends on who you speak to - my children went there and I rate it highly. But, I didn’t have any contact with the Sen department. They do things well with lots of extra curricular activities. I have been impressed by any staff I have met, although their uniform rules are antiquated and annoy me a lot - especially from a Sen perspective.

Kennet - It’s in Thatcham. The couple of people I know who work in the Sen department there are lovely, professional and hardworking.

The Clere (Hampshire) don’t know anything to give you any advice.

The schools in Newbury really are the best the state system has to offer in my opinion. I have worked as a teacher in West Berkshire, Oxford and Hampshire and on the whole the general educational standard is high and behaviour is good.

So I think you are making a great choice!

Edited

Thanks so much this is so so helpful 😁 Really appreciate your help xx

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Original poster

crumpets2020 · 22/07/2025 19:00

Pompomweasel · 22/07/2025 18:39

I have a feeling Trinity has some sort of provision for dyslexia. I remember a colleague saying something about it a few years ago.

My dd went to St Barts. It's a big school but they have a sense of belonging due to houses. My dd has a few friends with autism. They've all done well I think. All seem to be heading off for uni or vocational courses. I couldn't have asked for a better school for dd. That side of town is quite nice to live too. There are the battlefields for walking, plus the canal is not far. It's also a safe walk to town with a regular bus. I know Trinity is well regarded but not much more.

thanks! Will have a look into both of these for sure! :)

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