6th Form looming .....

[lizir]

Wonder if anyone can help. We have a rising 16 year old son with Aspergers. He is currently at a special school which is not going to be able to offer him the subjects he wants to do at AS/A2 level in their 6th form (September 09). They can offer one subject plus a link to a local 6th form college with currently (wait for it) 1100 in it! This coming from an entire school of c.250 will be a teeny weeny shock! We also live 30 miles from his current school and are desperate for him to study closer to home where he can tackle 3 new A level subjects without the hassle of a 60 mile round journey every day. In addition, if we had to go with the link situation it would add more time and mileage to his day (i.e. he would have to go to his existing school and be mini-bused up to the 6th form college approx another 5 miles away. Have looked at 5 other local schools/colleges and the only 2 (plans a and b subject to GCSE results) that offer him the subjects, safe environment etc. are private. Here's the question. Has anyone any bright ideas of where we could start looking for help with fees. These private schools are also large but nowhere near as big as the local state school/college 6th forms. We feel they would be the perfect stepping stone to 'de-cocoon' him from special school prior to (hopefully one day) uni. Speaking to parent partnership people they say that LEA will definately not help. Any suggestions gratefully received.

[amber32002]

Would the schools themselves be able to offer any help? Often they have a charitable fund that caters for such circumstances, or would know of suitable alternatives?

There are trust funds which also help with school fees in particular circumstances, for example www.buttletrust.org/fncms_orphan/school_fees_grant_scheme_guidelines/?orphan_parent_id=8

Each will have its own set of criteria, and often they will refer people to others if they can't help.

[lizir]

thanks amber very much for your info. lizir