Choosing a Secondary School: A Calm Guide to SEND Policies

Finding the right secondary school for your child can feel overwhelming. When your child has dyslexia, that feeling can double. You want to know one simple thing: How do I know if a school is good for dyslexia?

To find the answer, you do not need to rely on glossy brochures or stressful guesswork. A truly supportive mainstream school is identified through clear, public documents, honest conversations with the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), and a realistic look at how the school handles data and pupil support.

This guide will help you look past the marketing. We will show you how to read the official paperwork, what to ask on your school tour, and how to prepare for the transition without the panic.

Beyond the Brochure: What Real Inclusion Looks Like

Every school website has photos of smiling children and tidy classrooms. To find out what actually happens on an ordinary Tuesday morning, you need to look at how the school structures its daily lessons.

In an inclusive mainstream school, support for dyslexia is not an afterthought. It is built into the classroom. This is often called High-Quality Teaching or Universal Provision. It means teachers do not wait for a child to fail before offering help.

Instead, you will see:

• Multi-sensory learning options where pupils can hear, see, and touch information.
• Clear, visual timetables and simplified worksheets.
• Tech-friendly classrooms where pupils can use speech-to-text tools or digital readers.
• Teachers who understand that dyslexia is about information processing, not intelligence.

If your child is already feeling anxious about the move to secondary school, you are not alone. Many parents navigate these worries. You can read more about supporting them in our guide on supporting a dyslexic teenager struggling with school attendance.

How to Read the SEND Information Report

By law, every maintained school must publish a SEND Information Report on its website. This document is your best tool. It tells you exactly how the school identifies and supports pupils with additional needs.

When you open the report, do not worry about the legal jargon. Look for these three concrete things:

1. How do they identify pupils who need help?

Look for a clear process. The school should explain how they assess reading, spelling, and processing speeds. They should also explain how they listen to parents. If the report says they only support children with a formal diagnosis, be cautious. A good school supports the need, not the label.

2. What interventions do they actually use?

Look for named, evidence-based programmes. For dyslexia, you want to see mentions of "structured literacy" or "systemic phonics" support. Avoid vague phrases like "we offer extra help where needed." You want to see how that help is delivered.

3. How is staff trained?

Does the report mention recent training on neurodiversity or dyslexia for all staff, or just the SENCO? In a great school, every teacher is a teacher of SEND.

A Note on Privacy and Your Child's Data

As you share your child's learning needs with new schools, you have a right to know how they handle this sensitive information. Schools must follow strict data rules.

You can learn more about how schools should communicate this in the official Privacy notice model documents for schools and local authorities published by the Department for Education. A school that is transparent about data protection is often a school that is organised and respectful of your family's rights. You can also read about our own approach to these standards in our ethics policy.

Understanding the Admission Appeals Process

Sometimes, the school you feel is best for your child is oversubscribed. If you do not get a place, you have the right to appeal.

It helps to understand the reality of this process so you can plan calmly. According to the Department for Education's official statistics, Admission appeals in England: reporting year 2026, thousands of families go through this process every year.

If you need to appeal for a mainstream school place based on your child's dyslexia, keep these points in mind:

• Focus on fit, not preference: Your appeal must show why this specific school is the only one that can meet your child's needs.
• Gather concrete evidence: Bring primary school reports, independent assessments (if you have them), and letters from specialists showing what support your child needs and why the allocated school cannot provide it.
• Keep it objective: Focus on facts, timelines, and documented needs rather than emotion.

Questions to Ask the SENCO on Your School Tour

School open evenings can be noisy and rushed. Try to book a quiet visit during a normal school day. When you meet the SENCO, these four questions will help you understand their daily practice:

1. "How do you share a pupil's learning profile with their subject teachers?"

In secondary school, your child will have many different teachers. You want to hear that the school has a simple, digital system (like a one-page profile) that teachers actually read before term starts.

1. "What is your policy on assistive technology in class?"

Can pupils use laptops, reader pens, or speech-to-text software in daily lessons? A supportive school welcomes these tools as standard practice, not as an unusual privilege.

1. "How do you handle homework for pupils who struggle with writing?"

Do they offer alternative ways to show knowledge, like recording audio or creating mind maps? Is there a homework club with staff on hand to help?

1. "How do you support pupils who are anxious about reading aloud?"

A simple answer like "we never put pupils on the spot to read aloud unless they ask to" tells you the school understands the emotional side of dyslexia.

Simple Tools for Home Support

While you are finding the right school, you can still build your child's confidence at home. This is where simple, structured tools can make a big difference.

Our app, Lexy, is built specifically for neurodivergent minds. It uses an Orton-Gillingham informed, multi-sensory approach to help with phonics and reading fluency. It is available on iOS and Mac, and we offer a free tier so you can try it out without commitment. It is not a diagnosis or a replacement for school support, but it is a calm, daily tool to help your child practice reading at their own pace.

Choosing a secondary school is a journey, but you do not have to make the decision in a panic. By focusing on clear SEND reports, asking practical questions, and preparing step-by-step, you will find a place where your child can grow and succeed.