Applying to Private School: Special Needs Child

Applying to private school can be difficult, but if your child has special educational needs the hunt for the right school can be even trickier.

As a parent, you may want a mainstream school that will take into account your child's own needs or disabilities, or you may want a school that is specifically designed to meet the challenges of special needs kids.

A lot will depend, of course, not only on your budget but also where you live, and how far you are willing to commute every day to get your child into the school you believe will be the best one for them.

Mainstream Schools

Many independent schools accept children with a statement of SEN, or special educational needs, if they believe a mainstream setting is the appropriate place for them (as legislated in the Education Act 1966). Some, however, make it clear from the beginning that they would "prefer" that a special needs child go elsewhere.

It depends, of course, on the type of special needs that your child has – and the type of school you are looking for. A highly academic school, for example, that puts a great emphasis on keeping their exam scores high, may not freely welcome a child with dyslexia who they believe will "bring down" their academic standing. If your child has a very high IQ, however, and is bored in a state school, then this may not be the case.

Schools with a greater emphasis on overall personal development, however, may encourage children of all abilities to apply, and some academic schools may have special dyslexia units to offer support – Eton does – that sometimes come with an extra charge.

Many children with dyslexia, dyspraxia, mild autism and ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, do extremely well in mainstream schools. You are well advised to visit the school beforehand to discover what provision they can offer your child, and to speak with other parents of children with similar special needs to see how they fare in the same setting.

Special Needs Schools

Some of the best independent schools in the country cater to children with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia, or math disability. For some parents, this is a better choice than sending their special needs child to a mainstream school, especially if their needs or disabilities are more challenging than others.

Specialist schools cater to children with a variety of disabilities, including visual, physical, hearing or learning difficulties, autism, and behavioural and social problems.

When choosing a specialist school, it's important to look around carefully, and make sure it's the best one for your child. In some cases, parents choose a boarding school, where their needs can be met full-time.

Keep in mind that it may be possible to get financial help from your local council to cover at least part of the cost of a private education for your child, if the state school cannot meet his or her needs. Bursaries are also often available from the school itself. Some charities can also help advise on funding.

The Right Decision for Your Child

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most difficult decisions you will make as a parent, especially if your child has special educational needs. Some parents believe that attending a state school will give a child with SEN the support they need; others feel that a private education is better for their child.

If you choose to go down the private route, look at your child's strengths and weaknesses, and see how the school will address them. Visit the school, talk to parents in a similar situation, and try to discover how the school deals with kids who perform either above or below average.

Children with special needs often flourish in a private school, where the class size is smaller and they can benefit from more one-on-one attention. Look for a school with an open admissions policy, and talk in depth to other parents who have sent their children there. With a little research and leg-work, you can find the right school for your child.