Secondary school support for dyslexic ds

[CatBoo2]

My 10 year old son has just been assessed as dyslexic. He's bright and not 'bad enough' for a statement. Now considering the options for secondary school - both private, if necessary, and state schools.

I'm interested to know about positive experiences of state secondaries for dyselxic children.

I've picked up on lots of potential problems from what I've read on the internet:

• teachers lack of awareness, unrealistic expectations and inability to adapt their teaching style
• potential for bullying
• poor self esteem
• class size problems

Thanks!

Hi there,

I'm not sure where you are in the country - but if I were you I would ask a specific location based question. For example - good schools for dyslexia in or near 'Surrey' or "Herts' etc etc. Then visit a couple as soon as you can. See the private ones considered to have excellent provision for Dyslexia. I think its really useful to view schools with a reputation for outstanding practise so you can see what they offer and draw on their experienced insights - and then use that as a benchmark to judge other schools by.

All schools talk the talk - but only a few walk the walk so to speak.

I know there are a family of private schools considered to be great with dyslexia and mild learning barriers but I'm afraid I don't know what they are called.

Hope that helps.

Private schools probably won't have specialised teachers, they will be the same as you get in the state schools. However, some private schools 'get in' these provisions, usually at an extra cost to you ... good luck if you find a private school where the SEN in included in their fees (ISIS recently recommended that they no longer charged extra for this) Specialised schools have these specialised provisions and teachers in place. There is potential for bullying in both sectors .. I have children in both currently for varying reasons. The class size is the clincher here, always smaller in private sector. Depends where you are.

Hi, Thank you.

I live in East London - so if anyone has tips for here then that would be great.

However my original question is really to understand to what extent secondary schools in general are good at taking the 'whole school' approach to dyslexia and to what extent teachers get sufficient training to understand the associated problems that children with dyslexia are facing.

This is because having now a personal experience of a child with dyslexia has made me research it. And researching it on the internet brings up lots of horror stories from many dyslexics of their experience of school together with the recent BDA petition for teachers to be taught about dyslexia in their basic training - which seems fundamental although I don't think it has happened. I'm interested in whether I therefore have an unduly gloomy picture.

I don't think your worries are unfounded. I imagine most teachers know very little about how to effectively teach a dyslexic child, in primary or secondary. You would need to ask that question to each head teacher. My son is ADHD and dyslexic and in State mainstream. I am petrified of sending him to the local secondaries in my area as I know that their specialist provision for his learning is very limited. It depends on the school. Times are changing as awareness grows, but I still think teacher training only touches on SEN for half a day during training (according to 2 friends who recently qualified) Sorry, don't know any in your area, but google is great for pulling out school prospectuses (private and State) for you to research .. good luck

The register of schools with special interest in Dyslexia is CReSTeD, they are probably the go-to people for what to look for in a dyslexia friendly school. Their website is here CReSTeD

We were also terrified of sending our DS to a state secondary due to his SN, and have been extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to send him to the boarding school he's at now.