Struggling to find non-selective indie near London with strong dyslexia and arts support

[Runningshoes99]

Hoping wise mumsnetters might be able to help me find the right secondary school for my DD? We are looking for an independent school somewhere in easy reach of London (I’m resigned to the idea that we will have to move out of north London as I can’t find what I want here, but my DH would need to commute three days a week). DD is dyslexic and needs a mainstream, non-selective school that’s got small class sizes (hence search for an Indie) and good dyslexia support. DD is very creative and loves art and DT, I would love her to experience a school where this - and her skill in it - is really valued and not just an ‘add-on’. She would do well in a mainstream school as long and the dyslexia support was good. Don’t mind girls schools or co-ed but would like a school that she could stay in until at least GCSEs or preferably A level. Am I searching for the impossible?

Meant to say the commute is into Canary Wharf!

I’ve heard lots of good stuff about Moon Hall School in Reigate from a friend of a friend but don’t have any personal experience of it

St Mary’s in Cambridge fits your spec - mid-size girls’ indie which is still academic but not exclusively so; smaller classes, very friendly and happy girls, big emphasis on art, dance, drama and music and excellent SEN support/pastoral care. Art scholarships available and a whole separate art building with facilities for ceramics, photography, printing, etc. etc. Lots of school clubs, trips, drama productions, etc.
Has a sixth form too.

https://www.stmaryscambridge.co.uk

Lots of people in Cambridge commute into London, and the school is near Cambridge station.

Queenswood!

Priorsfield in Godalming

Thanks so much for all these amazing suggestions!

@RatherBeOnVacation isnt queenswood quite academic/ selective? I don’t think my DD would pass 11 plus - she gets average scores in most things, below in some due to dyslexia, though she is so good and works really hard and her teachers adore her. Art and DT are where she shines. She also likes sport and music

St Mary’s Cambridge looks lovely @miriabelle - do you know whether it’s very competitive to get into?

I’ll look up the school you suggested also @Sunnyside1987 - thank you

if you're east these might not be helpful- but
More House - small and sweet and quite arty, knightsbridge
Burligton (specific for dyslexia) in fulham
Bruern Abbey out near Oxford is starting to take girls next year and the head used to be SEND lead at Westminster and is literally the only public school head who i have ever hears describe accommodations for inclusion in a way suggesting he understands.what neurodivergence actually is. Not sure it is super arty, more sporty /musicy but I think they will soon realise once the girls get there. Has one school up to y8 then another senior.
Also St Augustine's Priory in west london is very very gentle and sweet (a bit overly Catholicy but never mind) and they have great art resources and a farm with lambs and they press their own apple juice and wear sailor hats, that kind of vibe.

@Runningshoes99 Queenswood is definitely NOT an academic hot house. Their entrance test looks for average ability and above and they have a good amount of support for dyslexia, both during the assessments and once at the school. Their art, DT, music, drama and sport are all superb and the reason why people choose to go there.

You might be getting confused with Queens College?

@RatherBeOnVacation that’s good to hear, I don’t know a lot about Queenswood but always assumed it was quite a high achieving and academic school ( also they always used to beat us in every sport - I was at owen’s!) I had heard the art department was amazing though! I’ll have a closer look, thank you

St Augustine's in Ealing worth checking out. Have heard SEN support and Arts dept excellent. Have 11+ but not too taxing from what have heard. More academic children tend to apply to other local schools. Easy commute to Canary Wharf on Elizabeth line.

Further afield, I hear good things about the drama, arts and send provision here. It is less selective than some of the other local alternatives and the facilities are fantastic.
https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/ipswich-high-school-woolverstone/

Commute times into Liverpool St from Ipswich are 1hr 10 with Stratford at 1 hour and a hop to Canary Wharf. Shorter options from Manningtree station. Not the shortest in the world but I've spent the guts of 50 mins doing 7 miles across London.

You could look at Frensham Heights and Kingswood House.

If a technically mainstream but not your typical mainstream is something you might consider, have a look at Canbury and Egerton Rothesay.

@Runningshoes99 It did used to be quite academic. Times have changed. That’s not to say that very bright girls don’t do well at Queenswood (they absolutely do), but when you’re surrounded by schools that bang out ridiculous results - Habs, NLCS, SHHS, Highgate, STAHS - they have to serve a different market.

It’s definitely worth a look and they would give you everything you’re after.

@ChasingMoreSleep Thanks for your post, I love the look of Frensham Heights, it looks absolutely perfect although I don't know the area it's in at all. the creative departments look perfect as does the ethos. Do you have any personal experience of the school?

Schools with a good reputation for art in North London and north of London are:
King Alfred School - The King Alfred School | Independent School North London, Year 7 intake is very competitive as there are so few places available. Although could try for an occasional place in years 5 or 6.
Mount House - Mount House School | Independent School in Hertfordshire, very small, has issues, but outstanding art.
St Margaret's Bushey - St Margaret's | Independent School | Hertfordshire
Queenswood, which has already been mentioned.
Queen's College used to have an outstanding art department, but not as strong as before.

They all provide some support for dyslexia, KAS & Queenswood probably does it best of the ones mentioned.

Aldenham is not selective Aldenham: Discover The Difference .

Farringtons in Chislehurst- a friend sent her dc there and thought it was great. I think they have a good proportion of students with SEN there. It’s not too selective, compared to other independent schools in the area..

Frensham heights is the dream school I think. Too far away for us.

They're not over selective. They want nice kids.
Plus they will give access arrangements.

It. Would be a fab school for her, super supportive and nice school.

She can also apply for the Art Scholarship 😃

Thames Christian School in Clapham junction has great dyslexia support plus all the other things on your list!

I don’t have personal experience, but I know of parents whose DC have SEN who are/have been very happy there.

What age / year group is your daughter? Is she currently in a state school or prep school? As that could help the 11 plus and a head report etc. An EHCP?

It depends on how much “non selective” My daughter’s friends those that were dyslexic quite a few went to Tormead and all doing well. One went to Priors Field (which seems to take everyone) One went to SHS.

Not sure on pastoral care etc as we are not at those schools above. However, if at prep age you could jump into the school and eliminate the 11 plus!

Canary Wharf and Guildford schools / area is easy as we do it.

Thames Christian school in Clapham Junction.

Thanks so much for all these suggestions. I’m doing tons of research into them all. Lots of them look great. I so appreciate all the replies.

St Chris Letchworth especially if Frensham appeals