looking for a virtual secondary that doesn't cost and is accepted by LAs - re-posted

[caragiale]

Re-posted from the Secondary education section

After 5 months of all the possible medical tests, we still have no diagnostic for the chronic pain of our 12yo daughter (possible fibromyalgia, possibly not). She has missed school - every week a day or two. There is no improvement and I doubt there will be even after the holiday. The school does very little - apart from being understanding. The kids are constantly bullying her as there are days when things are better and days when the pain is excruciating, and they think she is lying. There are constant nasty, bitchy comments that make her life an utter misery on top of everything else.
We are researching the possibility to join a virtual secondary school - but at no cost if possible - as I had to give up work and hubby's isn't great at all. My daughter is bright - but no genius - and enjoys school (however she has to say that she hates it when in school due to the kids giving her a hard time for enjoying it, how twisted is that?)
We have only looked to Interhigh and Academus but not sure what the kids results for GCSE or A levels (or IGCSE or IBaccalaureate) are for us to make an opinion if their teaching is that good.
We noticed in other discussions that a lot of the kids that got financial support have a diagnostic - ours doesn't and we are a long way away from one. We are not sure we will get any financial support through LAs/LEAs due to the lack of diagnostic.
Any experiences or suggestions are very welcome.

[NickiFury]

This one is opening next year I think as long as there's enough interest

Wey Academy

I suggest you take a look in the home education forum. Will be some useful advice in there

[MellowAutumn]

Interhigh is great - and has lots of accreditation I can put you in touch with a friend who daughter has just finished her igcses there

[Icimoi]

If there is medical support for your daughter's inability to be in school, she is entitled to home tuition (including possibly virtual schooling) under section 19 Education Act. I would suggest that you contact your council's Education Otherwise That At School service.

From what I've heard, Academus' results are not impressive.

[Phaedra11]

We are also considering InterHigh or Wey for DS2. He has chronic migraines which last around four days and are often triggered by loud noise. It's difficult for him to avoid noise at school and he missed nearly 50% of last term with migraines. It is much rarer for him to have them away from school. He will be in Year 9 next year and if the problem continues we may take him out of school and use online schooling for Years 10 and 11. Fortunately computers and screens do not seem to be a trigger. DS2 does not really want to leave his school and friends but I can't see how he can study and take GCSEs with such low attendance.

We are, of course, also looking into medical solutions but everything tried so far has been ineffective and/or had nasty side effects.

[Olivevoir]

Nisai online academy

[Mrsrochesterscat]

Red Balloon of the Air is LEA funded - they are a great team! [[http://www.redballoonlearner.co.uk/regional/red-balloon-of-the-air]]

[Mrsrochesterscat]

So that link worked

www.redballoonlearner.co.uk/regional/red-balloon-of-the-air