Crested Schools - Malvern St James / Wycliffe

[silverflora]

Now that DD1 is almost sorted, I need to find somewhere for DD2, who is dyslexic and needs additional educational support. She is currently in an independent school in Year 4, but as the school she's at provides a very poor Year 5 experience, I may move her to a new school at the end of this year.

Is it worth seeking out a Crested school?

The two I have in mind are Malvern St James and Wycliffe. Does anyone know anything about either?

Lastly, is there anywhere within reach of Cheltenham that I should also consider?

Thank you in advance for your help - its always really useful.

[capers123]

The two I have in mind are Malvern St James and Wycliffe. Does anyone know anything about either?

Wycliffe Prep / Junior would probably be good for DD2. I've never been convinced about how well suited it would be with a G&T child (I'd consider Kings for G&T), but I've heard good reports about how they cope with children with varying special needs.

The buildings are good, great theatre, great music department, new swimming pool. They also had (assume they still have) an ad-hoc boarding facility should you need to be away for a few nights.

My only direct experience is of the nursery department, which was very good - but most of the children we knew there went to other schools (and were bright), private & state, and all are meeting up at Stroud High next year (and we didn't have to fork out £5K / year ).

[T.i.p.s.y]

This is the list of Crested schools - I don't know if they are in your area.

http://www.crested.org.uk/pages/schoolslist.htm

I tend to think that schools which go to the effort of offering IEP's through Crested will be as equally good at stretching the gifted. Of course because it won't fair as well in the league tables, the percentage of very bright pupils will be less, but that does not mean the teaching will be worse.

[yoyo123]

IEPs aren't worth the paper they are printed on unless they are working documents! You need to check that the teaching is multi-sensory and geared to the needs of a dyslexic child. Do all teachers work that way? Are there different methods of recording in use? I am not sure how severely dyslexic your daughter is, but a specific learning difficulty should not be a barrier for learnig in other subjects. eg I have taped questions from a maths text book for a child who although very good mathematically coud not read. You need to find out whether is is done at any school you are considering.

[silverflora]

Thank you - these are all questions I have put to the schools, and I am always assured that everything that should be done is being done etc etc . As both these schools will require a daily journey time for my little DD2 of at least 2 hours, it is not a decision I can take lightly.I was hoping that someone could give me absolute positive assurance from their own experience that what is promised is truly delivered.

Thnaks
Silverflora

[KES Parent]

There is a school in Hampshire near Romsey which specialises in dyslexia - Stanbridge Earls School. It has an excellent reputation locally, and caters for children up to 18. Your DD2 would have to board unless you could move near there, but if you did move that way DD1 could go to St Swithun's in Winchester, another very fine school on a par with CLC. We used to live near all these wonderful schools, which is why I am so obsessed with Winchester (Tipsy will like to know this )

[T.i.p.s.y]

I know of Stanbridge Earls but I don't know much about it. I do think that every kid there has some sort of SEN with some mild and some severe whereas you may be better at a school which is a "normal school" but with good learning support. From experience I would strongly reconsider a 2 hour round trip for DD. You will be sending her to a school that should get the best out of her but she'll be too tired to gain the full benefit, and she may have no friends as they will live closer to the school.

KES Parent - have another boy and send him to Winchester!

[KES Parent]

KES Parent - have another boy and send him to Winchester!

That would be my ideal solution, but Darling Hubby is not keen on the idea for some reason. I'm afraid DS1 was my only chance, the other DCs all being too naughty/lazy/unmotivated to be interested. KESboy is the next cleverest, but not remotely in the same league.

[Hendy]

Bredon School, near Tewkesbury specialises in dyslexia. They run a school bus from Cheltenham.

[Miles]

My daughter is currently at Wycliffe and doing very well - She is mildly dyslexic and the school has really helped build her confidence in all areas of her study, I didn’t feel it was necessary for her to sit the Grammar School exams as she is very settled and happy, also the school has made real progress academically in recent years and standards are much higher than they were, G&T pupils are being challenged and the school recently gained the NACE challenge award. I hope this helps.