Dyslexic student and secondary school

My original post enquired, where parents of children who have been diagnosed with Dyslexia go to for secondary education. My son currently receives two one hour sessions on a one-to-one basis in school. Which I think is brilliant. He has come on so much in the year in which this has been operational. I had on my list of secondary schools, English College (application already submitted to primary section a year ago), JESS same situation as with English College application. DESC, Dubai British School. Are there any parents with experience of these schools. I am in the right ball park, or come September am I going to be bitterly disappointed that he doesn't get offered a place. With regards to SEN support in UK state secondary schools, it is very hit and miss, no different from here in that sense. It is all funding related. Schools are reluctant to diagnose as the councils can't fund the support needed, as a result, the children struggle through as best they can. I have a fairly independant child, who enjoys sport, having a go at most things, is very polite and well mannered. Has been described as 'a pleasure to have in the classroom', I just need to get his next step right for him. Hey there, were you able to find help for your son? Please share how he is doing now.

SW you carry on spamming all the education threads and quoting selectively from the media as it suits you ;) I've provided more information than you have, a list of schools as per posters an association that could help and some comments from an article from parents in the same boat and what they did. What exactly have you contributed? yes exactly.

SW you carry on spamming all the education threads and quoting selectively from the media as it suits you ;)

Let down by schools - lack of specialist education forces dyslexic children abroad Dyslexic youngsters are being failed by schools in Dubai according to parents and education experts, forcing many families to send their children abroad. Alison Schofield, a caseworker at the Child Early Intervention Medical Centre at Dubai Healthcare City, said parents are struggling to find schools to accept children with dyslexia and are resorting to moving their families home. “For parents around the world, a learning disability, such as dyslexia, is not such a major thing for people to treat or deal with. But here a lot of schools will refuse to take children that have learning disabilities, it’s a big problem here and a lot of families end up going back to their home countries,” she said. 7DAYS contacted a selection of primary and secondary schools across Dubai to enquire whether they would accept a child with dyslexia. The majority refused and three said it would either cost more money for the youngster to attend or conditions would apply. Mother-of-three Liz Fenwick said she made the difficult decision to send her dyslexic son Dominic away to boarding school in the UK in a bid to salvage his education: “It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make but it was also the best,” she said. Dominic, who was nine when he transferred from Dubai to England, had suffered bullying because of his problems with reading and writing and had even been branded ‘stupid’ by the headteacher of his primary school. Fenwick said: “He was being called ‘Dumb Dominic’ by the kids at school. The support for children with dyslexia just isn’t there in a lot of schools. I don’t think there is a great understanding of dyslexics.” Education consultant Sue Anderson, who herself has a dyslexic son, says she is approached by an increasing number of parents who want to send their children to schools in the UK because they cannot find the support in Dubai. She said: “I get many enquiries from parents whose kids have dyslexia or ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and are worried about their schooling here. “I know how damaging it can be. My own son went through this. At the age of ten he actually asked me if he could have a brain transplant because he thought he was thick - it was heartbreaking. Despite repeated calls since last Tuesday to The Knowledge and Human Development Authority, responsible for schools in Dubai, no one was available for comment. This article was from 7 days called Failed.

To the OP why not contact the support group for more information? Dyslexia Support in the Middle East As in most parts of the world, dyslexia support in the Middle East is mainly available in the Private Sector of education. Growing awareness of the condition is contributing to the increase in schools which now provide facilities, and hopefully, in the future this will extend to the State Sector. Mrs Anita Singhal has been the Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator at Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) in Dubai for the last six years. “There has been a great improvement in recent years,” says Anita. “Most English Curriculum schools now have Dyslexia Support Units.” She is also a tutor for the Hornsby Distance Learning Course in Specific Learning Difficulties. During her time as a tutor she has seen fifteen teachers under her guidance gain the Diploma and many of these are now giving dyslexia support in Dubai schools. Others give private lessons to children attending schools where no specialist help is available. Another six teachers are currently studying for the qualification. Anita also runs a Dyslexia Support Group for parents, which meets once a month at JESS, whenever possible. Apart from the benefits parents derive from mutual support and the exchange of ideas and information, they have group discussions and, on occasions, talks by visiting specialists. Jumeirah Primary School is a British Curriculum expatriate school in Dubai, U.A.E. which has given support to dyslexic students since 1998. Qualified dyslexia teachers tutor over 60 children on a one-to-one basis, and each child has one 40-minute lesson per week. The child's parent (usually the mother) is present at the lessons as parents are considered to be equal partners with the teacher in the intervention. The parent observes the lesson and contributes if invited to by the teacher. The parent soon learns the importance of over-learning, eliciting information, allowing the child to process at his or her own speed, positive reinforcement and so on. “We aim to build confidence and self-esteem, raise literacy attainment levels in reading, vocabulary, comprehension, spelling, handwriting and writing of text, and to encourage the development of IT skills, touch-typing and study skills,” says Philippa Bodien, Head of Dyslexia. http://www.godubai.com/citylife/hf2.asp?article_id=2002/ABW%2330

Do ALL Uk schools provide support? Not all but there is more choice and regulation.

Do ALL Uk schools provide support?

4 out of a small number of replies. I see right through the game you are playing SW. Why don't you take a break and a kit-kat? ;) Well come on then list all the secondary schools that can provide dyslexic support. There must be more than 4 out of 100 + private schools in Dubai or the 42 inspected international curriculum private schools, or is it an area that is lacking? One area that has been noted by the authorities as needing improving, or is that wrong? <em>edited by Sticky Wicket on 16/05/2011</em>

4 out of a small number of replies. I see right through the game you are playing SW. Why don't you take a break and a kit-kat? ;)

You want to add JC to that list. Done, so 4 schools to date that we are aware provide support for dyslexic students.

You want to add JC to that list.

So for the OP so far the schools that may be worth looking at are; English college (heard good stuff about their support) Wellington International Jess AR Jumeriah College <em>edited by Sticky Wicket on 16/05/2011</em>

JESS Arabian Ranches supports dyslexic children as well.

There are, as have been mentioned, several senior schools here that provide good and free support for those who requiring extra help. If your child is not in a feeder school for one of these, I would consider moving them for year 6 as I believe that least one of the schools mentioned below has a waiting list of over 200 for entry to year 7 in September. <em>edited by fido on 16/05/2011</em>

Being a mother of three dyslexic children and a dyslexic myself I have to say the quality of support here as opposed to the UK is far better and of course you don't have to fight for funding here which you do in UK and then if you opt for private schools in UK then they just don't recognise dyslexia and donot give any support . There is however a boarding school in the midlands that is for dyslexic children . I would suggest looking at all schools and you will find the right school for your child. There are now quite a few boarding schools in the UK that specialise in dyslexia and private schools where funding for LA can be found for UK residents.

Being a mother of three dyslexic children and a dyslexic myself I have to say the quality of support here as opposed to the UK is far better and of course you don't have to fight for funding here which you do in UK and then if you opt for private schools in UK then they just don't recognise dyslexia and donot give any support . There is however a boarding school in the midlands that is for dyslexic children . I would suggest looking at all schools and you will find the right school for your child.

I can only say good things about Wellington International School. As a mother of a dyslexic child in the Primary School, Wellington have gone out of their way to support him and I have been very impressed. We moved him last year from another Dubai school. The WIS Achievement Centre staff are really supportive and have reassured me that he will get the same level of support in the Secondary School when he moves up in September. The support is given in a way that doesn't single these children out which is particularly important as they get more self-conscious as they get older. WIS gets my vote!

My son is at JC and it getting excellent support for Dyslexia. They have been greatt, yet it is difficult to get a place in the Support for Learning program. I have also heard great things about EC and Wellington. These are the only school I know of that have support in this area. Good Luck.

My youngest son is dyslexic, having been diagnosed in England. We trawled through many schools and put him through the added trauma of sitting entrance tests, some here, some in England. We were becoming desperate and then I spotted English College. We visited and the atmosphere suited our son. He sat the exam and we spoke at some length with the Head of Enhanced Studies who is wonderful. He has been there 2 years, is soon to take up his options and we know it is the best possible choice for a dyslexic child. The support is invaluable.

Yes lots of schools talk the talk. We have been 'talked the talk' although DS is not dyslexic, just lacking support in school .... hence he has not been offered a place at his school next year and we are applying to WIS SO <em>edited by cymraes on 15/05/2011</em>

To date the experience we have had in primary school has been very good. Being a teacher myself (secondary) I know only too well what the provision is like in some of the UK state schools. The class sizes are much larger in the UK and once you get below middling ability, there is always the behaviour element that starts to creep in before any learning can take place. The class sizes here are much smaller. The schools I have spoken to so far have talked the talk. But I wonder if they actually follow through in reality. Any experience of schools here would be greatfully received. Yes lots of schools talk the talk.

Dyslexia is a gift. It often comes hand in hand with a high IQ and a very creative mind. There are many teachers who are aware of how best to support a dyslexic student and in most secondary schools here class sizes are small, which is also a bonus. You do need to research your schools well though and ask them what support there is for mild dyslexia. Very often there will be a designated SEN department within the school and perhaps support classes. Ask if you can speak to the SEN teachers to discuss your concerns. You might be surprised! Are you serious? SEN is appalling in most schools in Dubai let alone at secondary level. Small class sizes in secondary? You have to be joking. Which school are you actually refering to with first hand knowledge of?

I have heard recently that Wellington International School are gaining a good reputation for this, at least at the primary level, but not sure if it applies to secondary. I have no personal experience, though. To the best of my knowledge, dyslexia is a condition which is not necessarily well catered for in many European countries, either. Well it's catered for a darn site better in the west than it is in the ME.

Dyslexia is a gift. It often comes hand in hand with a high IQ and a very creative mind. There are many teachers who are aware of how best to support a dyslexic student and in most secondary schools here class sizes are small, which is also a bonus. You do need to research your schools well though and ask them what support there is for mild dyslexia. Very often there will be a designated SEN department within the school and perhaps support classes. Ask if you can speak to the SEN teachers to discuss your concerns. You might be surprised!

I have heard recently that Wellington International School are gaining a good reputation for this, at least at the primary level, but not sure if it applies to secondary. I have no personal experience, though. To the best of my knowledge, dyslexia is a condition which is not necessarily well catered for in many European countries, either. Ta da - OK post simultaneously.

I would seriously consider WIS Last year I worked at WIS during the IGCSE's, specifically within the Achievement Center and I was gobsmacked by the amazing support that is being given to children with Alternative Educational Needs. It is difficult to outline all the "tools" in place to scaffold these children, but here are some examples: Students are assigned a scribe + moderator and depending on individual needs papers are handwritten or typed by either the scribe or student. All questions are read out to them and some need to process the information on their own little white board before reading it back to the scribe who then write or type on behalf of the student. Other candidates are OK writing, typing themselves, but need someone to read the paper/questions. They all qualified for extra time and some of them were high achievers, it is just a question of getting the info from mind to paper/computer. Each student were treated as an individual with their own set of tools. I am NOT a fan of profit making schools at all (my own attended non-profit), but this surely is one of the reasons WIS get excellent ratings ;) PS to add: Speak to Theresa Almon. edited by Singapore Sling on 15/05/2011

I have heard recently that Wellington International School are gaining a good reputation for this, at least at the primary level, but not sure if it applies to secondary. I have no personal experience, though. To the best of my knowledge, dyslexia is a condition which is not necessarily well catered for in many European countries, either.

Most of the parents i know who have dyslexic children going into secondary have had to relocate back to a home country or send their children to a school abroad that caters for their needs. Very few secondary schools here will do that or teach the children the tools and skills they need.