11 Plus Exams Forum

Do some independent schools have staff who do one to one tutoring (at extra expense for the parents) for pupils with dyslexia, dyscalculia etc?

If so, what are the respected qualifications in this area?

Some do and some do not want any SEN pupils in their schools. You can usually tell from the prospectus - if not explicitly then by reading between the lines. If in doubt, ask the school, and be probing and forthright.

In terms of qualifications, some SEN teachers won't have any additional ones above a PGCE/B.Ed but probably a fair bit of experience and interest if they are being employed in that capacity. It might interest you to know that even to work in special education, with children with profound learning needs, no additional qualifications are actually mandatory. However, most teachers do have experience - they usually volunteer first and/or do a TA job with SEN children before working as a paid teacher in that capacity. There are Master's Degrees which are either totally focussed on SEN or have SEN as a large component.

If you are concerned, you are best to talk things through with the school and the teachers concerned. I am assuming here that the problem is not so severe that you are considering a special education at one of the few schools which focus particularly on dyslexia, but a 'normal' indie school? There is one near us which has a special interest in dyslexia but takes all comers; I expect if you look carefully where you live, you might find similar provision.

HTH

As Amber says, some do and some don't.

Also, teachers in Indie schools do not have to have qualifications in order to teach.
You need to speak to the schools and get the 'feel' for what hey have in place for SEN.

Also, teachers in Indie schools do not have to have qualifications in order to teach.

Technically still true, but most independent schools will no longer employ new staff who are not qualified teachers. This is usually now only the case with long-standing members of staff, and most of these will be graduates, but without specific teaching qualifications.

Re-reading my post, it sounded a bit negative. I didn't mean it as such, just trying to point out that Indies are just that and each has a different way of doing things so you have to shop around and see what they each offer.

Don't think it sounded negative - stop worrying - just factual.