If you are a head/senior leadership/year head would you think badly of this

[streetdog]

Dd ongoingly very unhappy at current school and some serious incidents.
New place elsewhere but only starts at year nine so cannot go until September.
Dds new school do options from start of year nine so dd currently doing many subjects she will drop in September too.

She was trying to get through the last month of school so she could enjoy the only fun stuff all year but there has been another incident.

Considering removing her now for last four weeks of term and looking over the info new school gave for options but will have to inform new school I have removed her as they haven't contacted them yet and don't want them to think i don't care about her attendance or education. New school head aware of some of issues not all.

[Smerlin]

If her attendance was already low (e.g. If previous problems had caused her to not want to attend school) and missing 4 weeks caused her to drop below 85% then we would have to refer to Education Welfare Officer, whose intervention would be flagged up to the new school.

4 weeks is also a long time - we are still doing end of year exams so will she miss those before the fun activities get underway?

Have the new school confirmed your place ? I have never heard of a school place being offered until previous school has been contacted to find out about academic and attendance history, parental support etc. In my area all the schools are very oversubscribed though.

[streetdog]

Attendance is just below 97%
End of year exams done
Was considered withdrawing her as home ed officially but informing LA (who I had already spoken to when looking for another school and explained reason why , woman was horrified) that she has a place for Sept so only until then.

Yep definate offer, she has had interviews, assessment and they have had her school reports. I was honest that I was unhappy with currently school and didn't have a good relationship with them and wasn't going to go into full details but he wanted to know so they could better support dd.

[Butterflystar76]

You have parental choice at all times and therefore can do whatever you want but must protect yourself around attendance stats. If you are able to then do home schooling for this time. You simply need to write saying this is what you are doing. However... What kind of issues are happening and are you happy that the message you are giving your daughter is that you will remove her from a situation... What if the same things happen at the new school? Is she equipped to deal with them and be resilient or will she expect you to do the same thing again?
This is such a tough time and friendship issues change overnight with teens..

[JustRichmal]

What would your dd prefer?

If you do put a letter in saying you are home educating, make sure the LA and new school know it is just until September and she will be taking the school place.

It is Summer and as a home educator you can get home education discounts for lots of days out. (Generally you'll need your LA letter as proof of home education) and you'll be there when the crowds are not.

I would let her know it is on the understanding that she does some study so she does not fall behind, but teaching 1:1 is so much quicker than 30+ in a class.

If you do decide you cold go on the Home education section to see what you have to do. I think we just sent a letter in to school and she could leave immediately.

[streetdog]

Thanks. Something to think about. She is swinging between not wanting to let them win and ruin her last days with friends to not wanting to go.

Butterfly : Things got so bad she had panic attack before school. She has been punched, called a slut, stones thrown at her, threatened with a weapon in school, called names. A particular teacher has on three occassions shamed about her sen. Twice infront of the class.

[streetdog]

Just to add we are moving to this school for other reasons than just her current school and also because it offers dd better opportunities and is more suited to her needs.

[Finola1step]

I'm a teacher, have had SLT experience. As a parent, my only question would be is she safe?

Stone throwing. Punched. Threatened with weapons. It is quite common for bullying to escalate at the end of the year. There's a sense, especially on the last day, that there isn't anything a school can do.

So if it were me, I'd be planning four weeks of activities/experiences/home learning linked to her new school and next year's options. Tell the LA that she is being home schooled.

[streetdog]

That is what is worrying me tbh Finola. A much bigger and older year friend of a child dd has reported has threatened to twat her.

One of trips involves a day with free reign on a theme park where there would be ample opportunity.

[chocolateworshipper]

Put your daughter's safety first. I know only too well what can happen when a teen doesn't feel safe and gets emotionally low. May be worth phoning the new school, explain a bit more if you are comfortable to do so, see if they can help out in any way by letting her start now. Phone the LA and be completely honest with them (if you are comfortable to do so) and ask about home educating for 4 weeks, so that you are covered for attendance figures. I wish you and your dd the very best of luck x

[Butterflystar76]

Goodness... That sounds horrible... Home school, be clear with the LA as to why and also with the Headteacher..
Sorry your daughter has experienced this, hope she has a great fresh start in September

[RalphSteadmansEye]

Don't send her back. Send a letter to say they can't keep her safe. Copy in the LA telling them she's being home educated until the end of term. She can keep in touch with the people who actually are her friends out of school.

[OurBlanche]

As Ralph and others have said. Keep her home, tell school and LA why.

Have a party/day out with her friends.

End of term won't get any better and she really does not need to be brave. Let them win. It won't last for long or do them any good!