HE at secondary level - questions about tutors etc

[40somethingJBJ]

Hi all. Ds (13) has ADHD and high functioning ASD (although the “H” part seems to be disappearing as he gets older, his attention span is terrible on things he’s not interested in). He also has hyper mobility and really struggles in the mornings with pain caused by this, so getting him into school is fun!

He hates school. He has a group of friends, but nobody that he’s ever seen out of school, or had any interest in inviting home. According to him, the kids are annoying, the teachers can’t teach (read: he doesn’t listen properly!), and school is a waste of time.

He’s doing ok in his subjects, but could do so much better; he gets distracted very easily and doesn’t take in a lot that is said in a classroom situation. He’s achieving the bare minimum and is very capable but very disinterested in most subjects.

I’ve often considered home educating, but I genuinely think we’d end up butting heads over a lot of things. I’m disabled and suffer from headaches and fatigue, amongst other things, and I’m not sure I’d have the head space or patience when it comes to maths etc.

I’m wondering about private tutors - does anyone use them? I could manage English to GCSE level, he’s in a band, plus having regular guitar lessons (where he’s doing qualifications), and I could probably manage science (I’m educated to A-Level in this, so it’s doable), but would look at a tutor for Maths and other subjects.

How many hours a week realistically would I need per subject? Ds is very demotivated when it comes to homework etc but is pretty good one to one if it’s someone he gets on with. Just looking at the financial side of things before I make a decision!

Also, when it comes to GCSE’s, what sort of costs are involved? I know you have to find a centre to let them sit exams, but how much is this?

Is there anything else I’ve not thought of? Any advice welcomed! Many thanks for reading :)

[itsstillgood]

he-exams.wikia.org/wiki/Considering_Home_Education_for_Qualifications%3F

Hope the link above works if not Google HE Exams wiki. Have a good read as there is a lot of information on there. There are lots of different options between teaching him yourself and a face to face tutor so read up and consider what might work best. My son does a mix of studying with me and a textbook, correspondence course with a tutor on email, Skype/Zoom group lessons with follow up assignments, face to face groups tutorials, informal 'homework ' sessions with friends, online courses where videos and assignments are published and then students work through independently and self mark.

Costs to sit exams vary hugely, £150 per subject is around average but commercial centres can be quite a lot more particularly if access arrangements are required.

[NK346f2849X127d8bca260]

£150 per exam subject is a pretty average cost for IGCSE/GCSE , but that does vary, i know some who have paid a lot less and others a lot more.
How many hours aweek will depend on how many subjects and your time frame, most exam specifications suggest 150 guided hours plus revision time.
The link above is full of infomation and i think there is a link to a Facebook exam group in it.

[AspergersMum]

Is he medicated for his ADHD? My DD is a completely different child on her ADHD medication, is why I ask.

As for GCSEs, the advantage with HE is that you can spread them out a bit, so long as you know which exam boards sit what exams, where and when. The exams wikia mentioned above is very useful. So you could concentrate on, say, English then take that exam in the spring or summer, also signing up for another subject that sits in the winter so you can go right on to the next one. You can stagger them however works best for your family, so long as you have access to an exam centre.

There is a Home Ed exam centre down in Titchfield - more info on the exam wiki.

[40somethingJBJ]

Thanks :)

[scoobydoo1971]

My son has hypermobility, inherited from me. I decided to home educate him so he has never entered secondary school. His sister is also home-schooled due to SEN. Like yourself, I have several medical conditions of a serious nature so pondered if I could juggle it. My kids are happy and thriving now. Less pain, less stress, less anxiety. My day is easier without school runs, packed lunches, uniforms to launder...they both do myonlineschooling, and I home educate around that as well. You should investigate getting extra time for exams due to your son's health issues. A GP note is usually sufficient. Your son may qualify for Disability living allowance, as mine does. That money can pay for tutors, exams and online school if you wish.

[40somethingJBJ]

Thanks for all the information, it’s really useful :)

So, if I go down the route of tutors, how many hours a week roughly would I be looking at per subject?

[Taxiparent]

Have you thought about enrolling him in an online school?

[NK346f2849X127d8bca260]

We don’t use tutors for every GCSE subject but those that we do one hour a week suits us, tutor typically gives an hour of homework on top of that.

[norfolkforever]

ds is 12 year 8. he is at an online school. works well. we use my online schooling.