Experiences of Appleford (Shrewton) and More House (Frensham) schools for dyslexia and ADHD.

[Margaretta1977]

Hi, my son is going through the admissions process of both Appleford School in Salisbury and More House School in Frensham. He has an EHCP and a diagnosis of Dyslexia ADHD. If we secure an offer from one or both schools I want to ensure we make the right decision for our son. These schools are quite a distant from where we live also so a few decisions need to be made as to how this would work. Boarding maybe an option we need to address. I’d love to hear parents feedback on both school settings please that have children actively attending these schools now and in the past. Thanks very much in advance.

We looked at both but chose More House for the following reasons:
larger year group so more opportunity for friends.
a wider subject choice.
support integrated into the school day.
slightly closer so he didn’t have to board.

We are happy with our choice- he has lots of friends (still doesn’t socialise outside of school), has been on sports teams, enjoys his LDC lessons and seems to be making good progress amongst peers of a similar ability.

Thanks for your message and that’s really interesting your comments and I’m thinking the same. What age did your son start at More House please? Was he academically behind his peers at his previous school? Has More House got him back on track now?

He started in year 7. When we began looking at the start of year 5 he was academically behind his peers (he was working towards expected in maths and reading and below expected in writing). He started ADHD medication during year 5, got his EHCP, had a scribe and extra time in his SATs and was exceeding expected in all 3 areas by the end of year 6 - it was nothing short of a miracle!!

He seems to be doing well at More House, has done well in assessments he has taken and is completing the age appropriate level work in science and maths (when I compare to his older sister). It isn’t as easy to compare humanities!

What made you move your son to More House if he was doing well once you got the diagnosis and EHC Plan? Did you feel the school would be better suited to his needs? How far does he travel daily? Do you take him or does he get transport? We are about a 45/min drive from More House School.

We were really worried about how he would cope with senior school, transitions are a big challenge for him. The local senior schools didn’t think they could meet need. We are a similar kind of distance - 45 mins to an hour away and he goes in a taxi which helps.

That’s my biggest concern for our son we want him to move to a more suitable provision before he finishes junior school. As he is working 2 yrs behind in certain areas he will struggle at a senior mainstream whom have already said they can’t fully support his needs. Thanks so much for sharing all your experiences about your son and More House School this happy really helped. 😊