I am out of ideas for 16yr old The LEA want more evidence.

[DonnaDoon]

Hi everyone
As above..DS has 5 GCSEs is going to college in september to study Music but until then...Officer is coming back in March.
Thank you in advance of any ideas.
PS We can't really fit in any more GCSEs as he has such a full week with his music commitments but the LEA are not overly satisfied (our local officer has a reputation for being very strict ( eek)

[julienoshoes]

why have a visit then?
why not send written information instead?
Doesn't matter what the LA says, the choice on how to give information is always the parents.

When did you have the last visit?
What concerns does it state in the report about that visit?
How long have you been home educating?

You don't have to do any damn GCSEs-it's not a requirement in law at all. The LA bod can sling her hook!
Don't worry this we can help you with!

[AMumInScotland]

Tell them to stick it where the sun don't shine! If you believe you can explain how your DS is getting an education which will suit him, then it doesn't matter how many GCSEs he is working towards. I assume he has an offer of the college place which he will (all going well) be able to meet? If so, you have a plan and it is working.

The LEA officer doesn't need to be satisfied.

[catnipkitty]

What more evidence do they need?? Sounds to me like he's doing really well. Don't let them bully you!

C x

[DonnaDoon]

AWW Thanks for the replies..gosh your all so lovely on this board (have you ever popped over to AIBU they are a different breed I tell thee)
Anyway I've been HEd since September..Its like they want blood...and I do find the LEA man quite bullying tbh.
Ds is only interested in Music ..and they seem to think that its just a hobby rather than a career he wants to carve himself..he has wrote songs ..recorded cds in professional studios, had singing lessons and plays in a band on weekends and evenings.
He has created his own website etc.
He has 5 Cs in English, English lit, Maths, Science and Music and they want more!!!
I might also add that he is ASD so Thank you I too think that he has done very well.
They last came in November and said they had 'some concerns' on the report they sent in the post.
LEA man obviously isn't a 'music man' but jeez some kids his age play xbox all day and Ds certainly does not...but how else can I prove that?

[julienoshoes]

You can send them written information, challenging what he is saying and asking him to show you where in law he gets the info from.

I have sent you a pm DonnaDoon with some suggestions.

They need to detail the concerns they have, for a start.....and if you only started HE in Sept, then they should have given you a proper time to settle-as stated in law.

This is one of the problems of having a home visit with some LAs in the first place, but as I say we can deal with it.

[AMumInScotland]

If he is bullying you, then definitely don't have him in the house - it really is up to you how you answer their questions. It sounds as if your son is doing a variety of things that suit his age, ability, and aptitudes, and that is what the law requires.

An advantage of giving written replies is that you can go through them in advance with some of the people on here who have long experience - they will be able to help you to explain how something like "plays in a band" can be described in terms of the skills your son is acquiring, to stress the educational side of it rather than making it sound like "just" a hobby. That way you won't get intimidated by someone who makes you feel like you don't know enough to explin wy ou think his education is working for him.

[FionaJNicholson]

it's not up to you to prove your innocence. the LA couldnt back up any threat because ultimately there wouldn't be a school agree to be named on a school attendance order at that age, so it just comes down to someone's personal opinion about what you are doing and doesn't carry any legal weight.

It's possible that Coventry employs a freelancer who gets paid per visit?

[AnAirOfHope]

Hi I have no advice or experiance. Just an idea but could you add in Technology GSCE as he can produce his own cds and use computer to write songs? Think its called media technology?

I agree with all the above and its up to you and your son what you do. Good luck to your son with the GCSE xx

[singingmum]

If he is 16 already then it is no longer the concern of the LEA. According to our HE officer. Also if he was in school I think(because I could and my friends dd could recently) leave already.
As for wanting more GCSE's that's also none of their buisness and if your son is going to college in sept so has increased his music that is perfectly acceptable as he already has the other's. Tell the LEA guy to get stuffed(in a nice way at first and then firmly but definitely) as it is not his concern and the education system can barely get students to get one pass in any subject.
I think the power they believe they have just goes to their heads sometimes.

[DonnaDoon]

All of you.

[Tragedies]

If your son is under 16, is this info of any help? www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/education/primary-and-secondary-school/education-home-educating-your-child.aspx

If he is over 16, then I agree with singingmum

[FionaJNicholson]

education in England is compulsory till the end of the academic year in which the young person reaches age 16 ie June 30th, NOT on the YP's 16th birthday (changed in 1997)

furthermore, since the participation age has been raised, there is an obligation to participate in some form of education and or training until the end of the academic year in which the young person reaches 17, soon to go up to the 18th birthday.

if you google school leaving age + home education, you'll get the info on my website which I believe i'm not allowed to link to

[DonnaDoon]

Great reading Fiona

[musicposy]

If he is going to college to do music in September, then continuing his music education is a perfectly valid path. In fact, you could argue that now he has the GCSEs he needs (he doesn't need more and they won't be able to justify that he does) then continuing with the music alone is the most vaild education that is suitable for his aptitudes and abilities he could have.

They are bullying you and talking out of their arses to boot. DD2 is 13 and huge chunks of her time is taken up with music. Much of the rest is acting and dance and skylanders and pokemon. We haven't done any formal English since last summer. But she has just passed Grade 6 piano with distinction (stealth boast, apologies ) and is starting to teach piano to my beginner pupils under my guidance. The music is equipping her very well to make her way in the world later. Very many people make their living out of this "hobby". We are lucky with our LA as they are more than happy to count all of the above as a proper education. And so they should be!

If he is Year 11, he is still compulsory education age. But the education he is getting at the moment is perfectly suitable. A full week of music commitments for a boy who is going on to study music is far more use to him than some random GCSE in a subject he will never study again. Stick to your guns. :)

[morethanpotatoprints]

Exactly agree with Musicposy

Congrats to musicposy junior. My dd just did gr2 singing (pass) bless.


Some dc really know what they want to do from an early age and H.ed can provide the means for them to do it. Well done to your ds DonnaDoon

I would tell them that music at this level can not be accessed through any other type of education.

You are providing an education suitable to his needs and abilities.
What more can this person expect from you?