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Post by runmum on Mar 11, 2019 13:04:32 GMT
Just wondering if anyone has or has had a child in mainstream who had special arrangements for key stage 4. The new style GCSEs are very tough and our youngest is functioning at around year 2/3 level despite being in year 8. We have just had his EHCP review and we were very careful to specify that provisions should be made to ensure he can study for appropriate nationally recognised qualifications that will allow him to pursue a rewarding career. I explained that their usual year 9 GCSE options process would not work for him as you have to pick from set groups in order for school to manage timetabling. I get this but with the best will in the world he's never going to cope with 10 GCSEs. He should really be doing functional skills rather than GCSE Maths/English and his strengths are in subjects that are all in the same group and so he will only be able to pick one when actually he needs to do all of them i.e. GCSE Food and Nutrition, GCSE Design and Technology and PE BTEC. History, Geography, RE etc are pointless for him. My initial mention of this in the review meeting met with "well we can only do what's possible timetabling wise". I just said "well then you will have to be innovative or he will not be getting an equal chance."
It would be really good to know if anyone achieved special arrangements in mainstream and what that looked like. e.g. did your child go off site to another school to do some subjects, did they have extra tuition in key subjects so they could do fewer subjects etc etc. If I can quote examples of the art of the possible it would be helpful.
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Post by moo on Mar 12, 2019 8:21:36 GMT
Sorry not quite there yet... anxious that 2 types of english has to be taken... ie lang & lit... reading stuff never popular here!? 
I look forward too to your replies as ever it seems obvious to us parents that tweeking is a must as surely individual needs have to be met one box does not fit all? 
Good Luck xx
Xx moo xx
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Post by flutterby on Mar 12, 2019 8:33:07 GMT
The trouble is that with the best will in the world the school may actually be unable to accommodate because of the restraints you gave mentioned. However, if you were willing to change schools there are some colleges, which do provide this kind of education instead of GCSEs. Maybe research what is available in your area. I know of one in the south of England in the New Forest, may be worth contacting them and asking if they know of any in your area?
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Post by serrakunda on Apr 8, 2019 21:52:30 GMT
sorry I missed this.
Simba is the first year of GCSEs. He is doing 5 GCSes and two BTECs. However I have I will not allow him to sit the English literature.
I think the first thing is to insist he does not do 10. No-one in Simbas school does more than 8, even the brain boxes looking at Oxbridge - no university requires 10 GCSEs, so the school takes the view why do them.
My view is to look at the next stage, universities are looking at A levels, you don't need 10 GSCEs to do 3 or 4 levels. If you are looking at apprenticships or college, there are dozens of courses at local colleges you can access with 2- 4 GCSEs.
I'm personally not prepared to put both of us under the the extra stress for things he just doesnt need.
In terms of taking the exams themselves, as he has an EHCplan he should get special arrangements as required including things like extra time, separate room, a scribe, using a computer if writing is difficult. Simba has access to a reader pen which is snazzy
I'm also encouraging Simba to think that school is not the be all and end all. If things don't pan out with GCSEs at school he can fill in the gaps at college. I think its important that he knows school isnt his only opportunity.
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Post by nzhb on May 22, 2019 19:52:53 GMT
My AD has EHCP Does not get extra time, nor scribe, nor reader despite having ASC, ADHD, ODD. Exams not going well school have no revision timetable
Biology teacher left just before biology exam She has no one there to ask for advice. I wish we had the choice of GCSE's School rated inadequate 18 months ago. All revamped Lots of subjects now off curriculum.
Seems a pigs ear.
Expecting to come away with nothing.
And there are only 6 children in the school..... I did not choose it.
Education failed to find anything else.
Seeking legal advice.
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Post by moo on May 22, 2019 22:30:59 GMT
OMG this sounds truely terrible... your poor dd.... you must be 
So so sorry xx
Good luck with the legal action.... I know so many adoptive parents that have had to go this route....
Sending hugs... please keep posting we all want go send you our support.... xxx
Xx moo xx
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Post by nzhb on Jun 6, 2019 17:21:54 GMT
AD has 3 more exams to go .....has not sat through the whole exam for any of them.
Still no college place.
was offered 'entry level' but has refused this. She had applied for level 2 , but school not able to offer her correct exams.
we have 5 weeks left at current residential placement and nowhere to go.
Even specialist education fails our children.
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Post by moo on Jun 6, 2019 18:11:16 GMT
Sending hugs nzhb xxx reading your post is sad xxx feeling so disappointed that school have failed you & ADxx
I hope a place comes up soon xxx
Please post to let off steam or pm me direct xxx sending coping juice & hugs xxx
Xx moo xx
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Post by leo on Jun 6, 2019 19:44:30 GMT
I am also appalled at the lack of support and forward planning.
Can SENDIAS do anything to help?
I can recommend a good adoption friendly education law solicitor if that would help?
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