Thinking of home ed for sixth form

[MumofTeenDespair]

Hi. DS 16/ Year 11. More or less dropped out of school completely now - autistic and very bad depression since the end of Year 10. Thinks he's going to go back to his very pushy/academic state Grammar to do IB next year (and they'll have him back, regardless of GCSE results). I'm thinking this is not a good idea. Subject that he most wants to do isn't available at college or other non-Grammar so no other obvious school/colleges that meet his various needs. I can probably get private tuition for that, which leads me to think maybe he should just homeschool for 3 A levels. I work ft so won't be here to supervise (takes no notice of me anyway) so just have to hope he'll go with it and organise himself sufficiently. A flexible timetable would work best as he struggles to get up in the morning.

Any suggestions? We can find some money to do this. Would we get anything from the LA if he's not at school but still studying? He hasn't got an ECHP.

On Googling I came up with Inter High which I see is mentioned a lot on this board!

Thanks in advance.

[deplorabelle]

It doesn't seem like a hugely well thought out idea to me. How come the school will have him back for IB if he's already dropped out? What do you mean when you say "he thinks he's going back". Does he want to go back to his old school? I don't see what you have to lose by letting him try this.

How did DS take to home schooling? I think he would benefit from more input than doing online lessons in a bedroom on his own

[MumofTeenDespair]

@deplorabelle - Well it isn't a thought-out idea at all which is why I'm here. It's the beginnings of an idea (leaving no stone unturned) and so I thought I'd reach out and ask others who have done it and would have some useful insights and experience.

But you sound a bit hostile so I'll wait to see if I get any warmer offers of advice.

[CarrieErbag]

My dd has done A levels with Wolsey Hall.
It's not on line and timetabled as such so it would give your dc huge flexibility.
You have to submit assignments according to a timetable but he could study around whatever else he might be doing.
You are extremely unlikely to get financial help and you have to find an exam centre who will accommodate you.
It's not cheap, we just forked out £1400 to sit 3 A levels and that obviously does not include cost of the courses.
More than happy to answer any questions if I can, pm me if you'd prefer

[10brokengreenbottles]

Have you thought about applying for an EHCNA? You can apply yourself. The threshold for assessment is has or may have SEN, and may need SEN provision to be made via an EHCP. If DS can't attend full time because of his additional needs he meets the criteria. An EHCP could include internet schooling or home tutoring as well as other provision such as therapies.

Although it may be too late now, separately to the above, LAs have a duty to provide education to compulsory school aged pupils who can't attend school due to medical reasons, including because of their mental health.

If this is a consideration for you, CB and CTC/UC cease if you EHE. For them EHE needs to begin prior to 16 or have an EHCP.

[MumofTeenDespair]

@10brokengreenbottles thanks for your tips. Please could you explain the acronyms - I know what EHCP but not the others.

@CarrieErbag
Thanks - really helpful. I wonder if they are likely to get booked up / reach capacity? Not having a timetable is a double-edged sword really but I think ultimately seeing as he only ever does what he wants, it’s less frustrating if he organises himself. Luckily we can prob find the money from somewhere - thank goodness I got a much better paid job in January... Wondering what subjects would work best done this way. Luckily he is a good all rounder academically so could pick whichever subjects are most easily absorbed by him with this method of learning.

[raskolnikova]

I dropped out of my sixth form and did A-Levels myself using a mixture of the National Extension College, adult education classes and teaching myself from textbooks. It worked for me, obviously I don't know if it would be right for anyone else. It is quite limiting with subjects in a way, I ended up just doing humanities/social sciences. For sciences, art, drama, etc, I imagine it would be more difficult.

[10brokengreenbottles]

EHCNA - education, health and care needs assessment i.e. the assessment part of applying for an EHCP.

SEN = special educational needs
LAs = local authorities
CB = child benefit
CTC/UC = child tax credit or universal credit
EHE = elective home education

[TabbyStar]

Have a look here for info https://he-exams.wikia.org/wiki/HEExamss_Wiki or there should be a FB group for HE in your local area. A lot of HE kids do go to college for A levels or other 16+ courses, I know very few who have stayed out completely at that age. I don't know but I'd investigate whether a FE college might be a possibility for a couple of A levels and then take the one extra through online learning.