Specialist Dyslexia Schools Post Reply

[judicus]

My son has severe dyslexia. He is currently in Year 5. His school (local state primary) have been brilliant and are working really hard to support him but he is really struggling to access the curriculum and I am really worried about his transfer onto Key Stage 3 and 4. Socially I have no concerns about him and his behaviour is fine.

We were planning to send him to Bolingbroke Academy. It seems like a great school that can hopefully cater for his needs and it has the bonus of being local to us. However, we are now starting to wonder whether he should be going to a specialist dyslexia school such as The Moat in Fulham or Fairley House in Pimlico (I will be having to sell a kidney to finance it!) .

Does anyone out there have any first hand experience of the quality of support offered for dyslexia students at Bolingbroke Academy?

Equally, does anyone have any experience of Fairley House or The Moat and what are your thoughts on the relative merits of removing children from mainstream education to support their dyslexia.

Any thoughts would be very gratefully received. I just want the best for my boy and am struggling to see the wood for the trees.

[nanny001]

I've got no information about the schools you've suggested but have you looked into getting a tutor outside school to help him understand or maybe teach your son certain subjects in a way that he would understand one on one?

[topmama]

I would strongly recommend that you visit these schools to get a feels for them. Having spoken to staff/parents in the past some of the children at both schools have more complex needs such as dyspraxia, ADHD and/or social communication difficulties (although both schools don't specialist in ADHD/ASD). For many children/young people with dyslexia there is often an overlap with other developmental disorders... and some placements at boths school will be funded by local authorities if the child's needs are significant enough.

At state secondary schools because of the volume of pupils (compared to some primary schools) there will often be a greater number of pupils (usually boys) with literacy difficulties so they will often have detailed progammes of support.

You probably also needs to consider friendships/sport and areas of strength for you son etc... and how well the special school can provide these and can prepare your son for life after school.

The other suggestion of a specialist tutor could be a good idea, as long as he is not overwhelmed by the volume of homework etc and the tutor makes this easier.

Hopefully you will hear from some parents with current pupils.
Good luck, finding the right secondary school can be a challenge for any parent but when your child has additional needs it can be particularly difficult. I am sure you will find the right place.

[judicus]

Thank you for your thoughts.

We are very thankful that my son does not have any behavioural issues. I am aware of the behavioural problems that many kids with dyslexia have and this is one of the reasons why I am wary of sending him to a specialist school. I don't want him to be adversely affected by others behaviour.

I will certainly go to look at both schools and will try to keep an open mind when we go around.

We do have a specialist tutor and are doing a daily dyslexia programme. As you say, it is all very hard work for a child who finds academia testing at the best of times.

Thank you again for your comments.