DD (8) diagnosed as dyslexic...where do we go from here?

[elltee]

DD had a detailed (private) assessment which has concluded that she needs at least one 1-2-1 specialised literacy support session each week. Her local authority screening assessment is in 2 weeks time. She's had some literacy support in and out of school since year 2 and is generally making the averages for her year group - she's in a large, non-selective state primary in an inner London borough.

We were thinking of changing schools (from state to private) but the two (selective) schools we considered have said a big fat no - in essence, they have no interest in supporting her. I am sceptical about the less selective private schools locally.

Her current school have responded well after a bit of prodding, and are promising 2x literacy sessions and any other learning support that the LEA assessment recommends

I am now cacking it somewhat anxious about what we do for secondary school. At a borough level, secondary results are some of the worst in London. The three nearest schools have all had turnarounds in recent years - one's now an academy, one's 'much improved' but none are the kind that people kill to get into iysim. There are two free schools, both already oversubscribed. Plenty of kids take the eleven plus for grammar school and then commute 10-15 miles to Kent - but I don't know if it's even a realistic option for DD. There are better schools in the next borough, but the good ones are all vv oversubscribed.

Sorry, lots and lots of questions but I don't know where to start. I didn't grow up in the UK so the school system is still a mystery to me......

[Fiveways]

Try looking at Crested schools which cater for students with dyslexia or a specialist dyslexia secondary school, details from the British Dyslexia Association website and do consider some tutoring support from a PATOSS registered dyslexia teacher who will boost DD's skills and confidence with appropriate teaching strategies.
Good luck!

[LynetteScavo]

I suspect at primary level, your DD will be best supported in a state school, unless you can find a specific school which can cater for her needs.

As for high school, start looking for a school which is dyslexia friendly now.

[sparksB100]

Both my children were diagnosed as having dyslexia in year 4 - the state primary school was fantastic for both so we would not have considered sending them to a private school. When looking for secondary schools for our first child I phoned around the SENCO's of secondary schools and we were promised a great amount of support which two years later did not happen, despite us, as his parents constantly badgering to have his needs met in class in order for him to learn - this was not a great amount just a laptop..... We have now moved him to a Crested registered school in London - Thames Christian College and he is very happy. We are now in the process of choosing a secondary school for our second child and are now much more clued up on the questions we need to ask - do go to the British Dyslexia Association or Dyslexia Action website for advice on this. I am also talking to other parents and children with dyslexia on their experiences of secondary schools in the area. In our area we have a high number of grammar school where a minority of children from our area can access a fantastic education - for children with dyslexia who have the ability to do well academically there are not the schools available with the teachers with the skills and training to support them in reaching their academic potential.

[aciddrops]

Decide which schools you like the look of and then arrange to speak to the SENCO and ask what interventions they can put in place for your child. Some SENCOs are good others are useless.

[elltee]

Thanks all, sorry for the belated answer. We're comfortable leaving DD at her current school, she is having a weekly session with a PATOSS teacher, and we've been promised extra support at school.

All heard regarding secondary options. There are no CREsTEd schools within daily reach of us, and I would really prefer to avoid boarding or a long daily journey so I feel I have to work with what's there.

Any thoughts?

[Lilythewonderdog]

Be prepared to fight all the way. Keep your eye on the ball. Visit schools in your area, suss out their attitude to dyslexia. Find a genuinely supportive one. The problem is you choose a school based on NOW. They are there for 5 years. During this time sencos can change and the ethos of a school can change. Everything was fine for Ds until end Y9, then the dyslexia teacher left. In y10 I opened a barrell of worms surrounding data, exam access arrangements and support. I ended up in the heads office giving her the biggest dressing down ever... Which she swallowed because they admit the problems but the moral of the tale: Never take your eye off the ball! Even at the best schools. Never give in. Know your entitlements and make sure she gets them. Make sure she uses every access arrangement in every test she has or she may lose her entitlements because it's not her usual way of working.

[Bessiebigpants]

I finally after a long battle had my son dyslexia formally diagnosed today.Im devastated it's been such a stressful experience and what the specialist told me is that I can t take my eye off the ball.I need to use the next 18 months to get my son into routines and using the right resources.This includes buying my own lap top so that it goes with him ready for secondary school.So it is a status quo rather than waiting for school to organise something.I don t want to be that mum but I guess that's who I'm going to have to be to ensure my son achieves his potential.