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Unit/special school for able Dyslexic Teen?

12 replies

Davros · 08/02/2011 09:53

My 14 year old niece is dyslexic and is really struggling at school. Although her dyslexia is accepted, no-one seems to make much allowance for her or give her much support. She is a hard worker but is often lumped with the layabouts who don't do the work and can't be bothered. More than once teachers have severely embarrassed her in front of the class by scorning her work or methods.

Just last week she had to complete some sort of exam module, she had done the work but completely misunderstood the method of completing the paper and the teacher, yet again, roared that she'd got it wrong in front of all the others and told her she would have to go in on two other days to do it again with the layabouts.

Yesterday when I phoned my sister, my niece was at home and, when I asked why, she said its because she "hates school". She is extremely good at sport and is actually quite academic, she just can't read or write very well. She wants to do something sporty or also has her eye on becoming a paramedic. Of course she needs to get through the school system with enough exam results to be able to leave it behind.

My sister is now thinking that she should have done more and looked for somewhere else for her to go but she thinks she and her husband would have to pay for a place. My niece has had a private tutor in the past which really helped but got to a point where she didn't really need it and she wanted free time for sport and other teenage activities. My sister is reluctant to go back to the tutor because of the cost and because she's not sure its the right thing to do. They live near Kingston in Surrey. Any advice or ideas?

OP posts:
cornsilk · 08/02/2011 10:03

Your sister could make an appointment to speak to the SENCO regarding the teacher who chastised your niece due to her dyslexic difficulties. The school have got to make reasonable adjustments to allow your niece to access the currciulum. The SENCO should be able to explain exactly what they are.
Were there any access arrangements in place to help your niece with her examination paper? Take a look at the JCQ website.These should be the usual way of working in class e.g. extra time, a reader etc depending on the individual needs of the candidate. Has your niece has been assessed as requiring any access arrangements? If not this needs to be addressed.

Davros · 08/02/2011 15:56

She has spoken to the SENCO on many occasions, it doesn't seem to make much difference. I know there have been special arrangements in exams in the past but not this time for some reason, maybe I have misunderstood the type of paper it was. Basically she is fed up being lumped in with the losers and layabouts just because she has dyslexia and she HATES school. Ideally my sister would like to move her or get her good, affordable extra help. I tried to access the JCQ website but couldn't get it to work or find what I wanted.

OP posts:
mary21 · 08/02/2011 16:19

Have you looked on the Crested website. If she is looking at fee paying, What about Thames Christian college or canbury school. Or boarding Grenville unit in devon. Or if feeling wealthy Reeds in Cobham

Davros · 08/02/2011 21:13

Thanks for those suggestions, I will follow them up tomorrow.

OP posts:
Davros · 14/03/2011 08:12

An update for anyone who is interested. My sister kicked up a bit of a stink where necessary and got support from many staff. My DN now has a reader and has been reassessed as needing 25% more support. They are going for the scribe next, after the dust has settled. Found a lot of old threads on MN very useful.

OP posts:
IndigoBell · 14/03/2011 14:02

Thanks for updating us.

Is she getting a reader all the time? Or just in exams?

MADABOUTTHEBOY2000 · 14/03/2011 17:17

oh thats brill just keep plugging everytime you need something but its great they recognise she needs more support

pippop1 · 14/03/2011 17:27

That's great news. If she wants to go to Uni she will find them v supportive. (My son has found that at Manchester Uni anyway).

aprildays · 14/03/2011 20:20

I dont have personal experience of the school but the Moat school in Fulham is a specialist school for pupils with dyslexia whose web site says
The Moat School is a co-educational day school for children between the ages of 11 and 16. Founded in 1998, the School is dedicated to the teaching of children with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD). This specialist independent school offers an intensive and structured learning programme teaching the National Curriculum to enable success in public examinations and personal development.

Davros · 15/03/2011 18:04

I think the reader must be for tests and/or exams, I don't know the full details so will have to ask my sister. I will look up The Moat School but it will be no good if its private. Thanks for interest and support.

OP posts:
NK765dc0b3X11c32020bb6 · 05/03/2013 17:43

Someone mentioned the Moat School. My son is in his last year there, and it is absolutely an amazing place. He has Asperger's and is very Dyspraxic. He has come on SO amazingly there. The teachers are very dedicated, the classes are small, and there is great pastoral care. I could not rave more about the school.You should take a look...

lougle · 05/03/2013 17:49

Hi NK765dc0b3X11c32020bb6, this thread is 2 years old now, so Davros may not be reading.

Welcome to the SN section though Smile

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