Remote learning for gifted and anxious sixth former -- any experiences?

[Ullathegreat]

Any parents of gifted perfectionists who struggle with school out there?
DD, sets impossibly high standards for herself and now says she can't take the stress of the classroom. I think the pressure of summer exams, university applications etc is getting to her. Her teachers have said if she just comes to school she will pass -- no pressure for homework, in-class performance etc, but she puts the pressure on herself.

Are there any decent programmes out there that don't involve online classrooms but where there is online teaching support/interaction when needed?

I'm also worried she will cut herself off from the world if she is studying on her own; she has promised to do some group sports and music, but that can be hard to enforce. We went through this once, in year 11 (that's when we discovered that she is gifted, and that being gifted isn't always such a great gift!).

[mylaptopismylapdog]

Can’t help with online stuff but maybe you could get a tutor to come to the house. Would she try counselling to see if that helps, looked and Childline gets loads of calls around exam time, she could talk to them if she won’t see anyone.If she is not getting any exercise at the moment I would start by insisting she starts with that, ( preferably a group activity and at least a walk everyday for at least half an hour), as it will help her to relax. Hope she feels better soon.

[Ullathegreat]

Thanks mylaptop. She has FINALLY agreed to counselling - and I also sent her the Childline link (thanks for that!) because they have a whole section on anxiety and nervousness.

You are right about exercise; I think it's the heart of the matter. She had always been on the shy side, but everything blew up when she dropped out of the regular sports she'd been doing regularly since she was small. Even before she could walk, she needed to move!!

I still think the exams this year are a long shot unless she gets her emotional health under control quickly enough, and that she needs another year to breathe. She is the one pushing for that extra time -- not me or her teachers.. But she doesn't want to spend an extra year in sixth form where she is. Too embarrassing. And we have no other local, school-based, options.

Is there such a thing as an educational counsellor who can help unusual kids chart a way through school? I don't even know where to begin!

[mylaptopismylapdog]

That’s brilliant Ulla, I would start by looking on here:-www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk/therapists, my experience in counselling has been that it really helps with anxiety.
Is she anxious because she suddenly feels she has to be exceptional rather than just continuing to be who she was before? These may help her to relax and you could do them with her too if you have time:-
www.anxieties.com/57/panic-step4#.Wgb-hrqvCf0
m.youtube.com/watch?v=u4gZgnCy5ew
Hope she feels better soon.