Choosing a school for a child with a unique learning profile.

Finding the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you can make as a parent. But when you have a child with special educational needs, it can sometimes feel as if choice is limited. What every parent hopes will be a happy and positive time, can become a difficult and emotional process, leaving many families upset, disappointed and confused.

At Cavendish we hear painful stories of children for whom their latest school placement has broken down. The reasons for this vary from not fitting in with their peer group, to not progressing in the way that the school expects. More often than not, the child is simply deemed not suited to the school. But these bumps in the road can easily be overcome with specialist training and an understanding of what it means to give the child the right tools for their learning style.

All too often we see parents blaming themselves for having made the wrong choices while trying to fight to get their child’s unique learning style and specific needs recognised and supported; for their child to be understood. What’s even more worrying is that the wrong placement can lead to a young person ‘giving up hope’, believing that they will never fit in or will never find a school where people understand their challenges. They can be left feeling that they will never have the opportunity to demonstrate their individual skills and talents. It can be a long and exhausting journey.

Cavendish Education schools understand that our students do not need a ‘one size fits all’ approach to education. We believe that children with high functioning autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia, have the ability to learn and achieve, regardless of their learning style.

Our schools think differently and our staff teach in a way that lets our students learn according what suits them best. With small classes of no more than 12 pupils, our staff are able to get to know their learners in detail. They understand what is it that helps each student learn and can identify barriers, before developing the skills and strategies that will encourage their students to be independent learners.

If you, or anyone you know, are trying to find your way through the SEN ‘maze’, please join us at the Cavendish Education Schools Fair on Saturday 6th October, from 10am to 2pm at 23-31 Beavor Lane, Ravenscourt Park, W6 9AR.

Headteachers, Senior Leaders and Admissions staff from all the Cavendish Schools will be together under one roof, along with a number of other selected professionals, including Speech & Language Therapists and School Placement Consultants, to help you make sense of your individual journey and to think about what route may be best for your child and family.

We hope this event will make it easier for those of you who are searching for help, advice and, ultimately, a solution so you can make the very best and clearly informed choices you can for your child.

Children are very welcome to attend our Open Day. There will be activities and workshop on offer to keep them busy while you explore the world of Cavendish Education.

Spaces are limited so please complete the form on the website to register your attendance: www.cavendisheducation.com/cavendishevents