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Post by runmum on Sept 15, 2019 9:12:25 GMT
Hi everyone. Psychiatrist thinks our MB needs a more specialist school - still broadly mainstream but with specialist support. He has an EHCP but school see him as "not a problem" as he just sits calmly and plods on and then comes home and freaks out as he feels so rubbish about himself. He is functioning academically about 5 years behind but they still say they can only offer the usual 10 GCSE pathway for KS4. We have battled this for our other son with little success - he is much better academically than MB but I think 10 GCSEs is stressful for anyone no matter someone dealing with trauma and anxiety every moment of the day.
We have found a couple of potentially suitable schools for MB where he can study functional skills but still achieve GCSE equivalents. Word on the street is that pigs will do acrobatics over all UK airports before our LA funds or even part funds these places. So we are probably looking at £34k /annum for a day place plus we will have to fund transport and there is no school bus from our area. If we self funded we would be totally wiped out and reliant on benefits with a year or so. How daft!
The plan in my head is to keep pushing current school to innovate and find a way for him to do functional skills and not GCSE. They will say no it's impossible. We will then be able to say current school does not meet needs and go from there. No doubt this is all going to be a total nightmare.
Any advice/experience?
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Post by moo on Sept 15, 2019 19:00:46 GMT
Oh wow runmum 10 gcse's hows that sposed to happen?! Don't do that many at my boys school... btech's & others but all staggered over different years to exam....
Yep my gut is to stick with too many gcse's mb needs to opt out of some & if school refuse push for county to find the right school, a better more suitable one...
Where are you in the country? Maybe my boys school might work?
Good Luck xxx
Xx moo xx
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Post by serrakunda on Sept 16, 2019 19:11:51 GMT
This insistence on 10'GCSEs is ridiculous. As Simba's headteacher said not even Oxbridge demand 10.
Have you looked into educational charities? Are there no other state schools that could offer an alternative, some colleges have places for 14 to 16 year olds
Good luck, I think you will need it
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Post by rosie on Sept 16, 2019 19:37:48 GMT
Agree it’s crazy. We had the same problem with dd.They refused to let her drop any of the 10 GCSEs.Its all to do with their points system. I pointed out the points would be low if she failed the lot but made no difference. Dd did not do well and was so anxious we could hardly get her out of the house. If you end up having to stay at this school I would recommend picking the subjects you think he has a chance of doing better in and push those, and do the minimum work for other subjects. Our dd is now in her third year at college and receives so much more support than at school. She is gradually working through the levels and really enjoying it. Most important of all no exams! There is some light at the end of the tunnel, it is just getting through the next year. As Serrakunda says some colleges do take younger young people; I am sure Dd,s does so worth asking around.
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Post by leo on Sept 16, 2019 21:28:55 GMT
If you think an independent school is needed but the LA won't fund then try the Frank Buttle trust or the Hedley (may be Henley, sorry) trust. They both provide grants for disadvantaged chikdren to access education. The Buttle trust used to have a focus toward adoption so maybe try there first.
However, if you can somehow get the current school onside to say they are struggling to meet his needs then the LA can be pushed through the use of an EHCP to fund a place at an independent school. You may need a solicitor to help you fight for this. (I can recommend one if needed.)
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Post by runmum on Sept 17, 2019 5:08:00 GMT
Thanks everyone. My charitable trust search has revealed that most give to other charities and organisations not individuals and Buttle now only give for boarding not day places. I have drawn a bit of a blank.
Hedley website says this:
"The Hedley Foundation’s principal aim is ‘to effect change for the better in the lives of young people’.
The Foundation makes grants to small charities working with young people in the areas of Recreation, Sport, Training, Health and Welfare, Support and outdoor Education of young people. The Foundation is particularly keen on open air and adventure-type activities and the funding of appropriate kit and equipment. The Foundation is keen to support small charities which can demonstrate achievement in persuading and deterring at-risk young people from proceeding further down the pathway to custody.
A secondary aim is to assist small charities helping with disabled and terminally ill young people through funding for specialist equipment, organised respite breaks. The Foundation also supports young carers. The Foundation provides limited bursary type funding to organisations which provide apprenticeships and specialist training for talented young people who, for want of money alone, are unable to develop their talents."
Those that do give to individuals tend to focus on specific groups i.e. single parents, live in x place, child of someone in x profession or occupation. We don't meet any of the criteria for any I have found but always happy for more suggestions.
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