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Original poster

Daughter only going to get 5E"s at G.C.S.E what can my Daughter do next year?

57 replies

morry1000 · 04/07/2013 12:24

DD really struggled at school and was very disruptive within the classroom and school have said she is not allowed back next term they also let all the local colleges know and they are refusing to allow DD on to any courses, i know a 16 and a half yr old girl will not be employed and i only can get 15 hrs work a week on just over £6 per hour so i need tax credits to feed DD i know most people on here want there kids to go to univirsity i just want my DD away from the streets at a job or on a college course . Can i appeal to the school to give DD another chance and what courses could you do with those grades.

OP posts:
springtide · 06/07/2013 17:59

Firstly want to say to how much it saddens (and angers) me to hear how a supposedly "outstanding" school has failed your daughter. Most good schools now acknowledge that some children benefit more from different types of learning in the later years of senior school. In answer to your question about whether you can get the school to re-consider taking your daughter back next year - please don't do this - its not the right environment for her and if she stays she will be constantly reminded of her unhappy education so far.
Other people's advice so far has been very sound - the Princes Trust are great and there are many other organisations who work with young people in a non-traditional education/training setting. The important thing is that she is doing "something", has a focus and a reason to get up in the morning - it may not be a course of study or training in a role she plans to do all her working life but its a start and will show future employers what she is capable of. Voluntary work placements are often included in training courses and these are also extremely valuable.
The great thing is that you are supporting her. I work with many young people in a similar position who are having to cope with this on their own for a number a reasons. I wish you and your daughter well!

AlwaysSleepingBeauty · 06/07/2013 13:53

Also, how about an apprenticeship in something she enjoys?

AlwaysSleepingBeauty · 06/07/2013 13:53

I echo what DameEdnasBridesmaid said about going back into the college for guidance; are there any other FE colleges locally you could try? I work in an FE college myself, and where I work actually really prides itself on bringing out the best in students where the school simply couldn't or wouldn't help.

pusspusslet · 06/07/2013 13:42

Hi OP.

I'm sorry to read about this. It sounds like a very difficult situation.

Sounds like your DD may not be ideally suited to staying in academic education. Have you no idea what sort of other things she might enjoy doing? Catering? Beauty? Horses? Whatever? I think the key would be to find something she's interested in, and then to try to give her an opportunity to learn more about it. Crushed confidence can take a long time to rebuild, but it can be done.

Good luck xx

mummytime · 05/07/2013 22:20

The Princes trust may also be able to help. Your DD has been massively failed by the system, and I known the Prince's Trust do a lot of good work, do contact them. I hope they can suggest help in your area.

beatback · 05/07/2013 20:57

Morry 1000. Very sorry to hear about this,the school have let your DD down badly. These kinds of attitudes from the school are reminicensent of 30 years ago, and yet another example of Comprehensive Education letting down students,who are different from middle of the road and require a different approach.

Original poster
morry1000 · 05/07/2013 20:29

Thank you Cream teas/Dame. We are in Northamptonshire. Cream teas i have checked out the website you told me about and it might work for DD. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOU ADVICE.

OP posts:
DameEdnasBridesmaid · 05/07/2013 20:11

I would be very surprised if an FE College would not allow your daughter to enrol. I would at the very least go in and get some IAGfrom them.

I work in an FE College and we have lots of students who were disruptive and disaffected at school. College is a different environment and they often thrive there.

A vocational course may be just the thing for her. Whereabouts are you OP?

speedology · 05/07/2013 20:05

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MonsterBookOfTyRexs · 04/07/2013 18:21

I left school with no gcse's at the age of 15 due to severe bullying.I never used the school as a reference.
I got a job as a care assistant. Completed an nvq 2 and 3 and start uni in Sept.
At 16 I did not ever think I could go to uni.
Good luck to your dd.

creamteas · 04/07/2013 18:04

There are lots of training companies that are outside of FE and your DD should be able to get a place on one of them (this is a link to one in the midlands here to give you the idea).

If you ring the National Careers Service they should be able to help direct you to local providers

Original poster
morry1000 · 04/07/2013 16:17

Noblegiraffe. You right about the school yet ofsted gave it an outstanding inspection report. The school achieves 74% 5 A TO C inc MATHS AND ENGLISH. The school only does G.C.S.E"s and does very few other courses i guess they think my DD brings down their average pass mark. They said that the reason my DD was not permantaly excluded was because the school took DD"s S.E.N in to consideration .

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 04/07/2013 13:58

Her school sounds shit, the law and national curriculum didn't force your DD to take GCSEs (except maybe maths and English). She could have taken BTECs or done a part time college placement; loads of our kids (normal comp) do hairdressing or childcare or similar.

HandMini · 04/07/2013 13:33

Gosh you poor thing. It sounds as if school and special needs provision has let your daughter down badly. I can't add any wisdom as I don't have any children in education yet, but I hope some of the advice on here helps, and that your DD finds something better for next year. At least she has a supportive mum - that will help a lot.

toomuch2young · 04/07/2013 13:20

princes-trust.org.uk/need_help/courses.aspx

toomuch2young · 04/07/2013 13:19

Look into princes trust they do more vocational based training for young people who struggle with school they are a fantastic charity and get really good result with even very hard to reach young people.
Would anything vocational appeal to her? Hairdressing? Horticulture? Animal care? Beauty? Bricklaying? Are lots of options still available to her.

imnotmymum · 04/07/2013 13:19

Shock at SENCO I would report her

bigTillyMint · 04/07/2013 13:14

OP, it sounds like you and your DD have had a dreadful experience.

In our LA there are large numbers of young people who find school difficult. They move on to other provisions which meet their needs better - surely your LA should have some other provisions?

Could you go to the LA - Parent Partnership, maybe and ask for help?

Original poster
morry1000 · 04/07/2013 13:08

THANK YOU Jake bullet will look it up.

OP posts:
JakeBullet · 04/07/2013 13:07

Here morry, the web page for the CORAM legal centre which gives free legal advice. Here.

Also contact Parent Partnership for support. As the parent of a child with ADHD I can only imagine what you are going through with this. You need more support and so does your DD.

Original poster
morry1000 · 04/07/2013 13:05

Jakebullet. When she was in year7and 8 they used to seperate dd and send her to a special class with other kids with difficuties. When yr9 came because of the national curriculum they said" Against their better judgement but because the law forced them to DD had to study for G.C.S.E "s in the 3years she never did 1 bit of homework and i was told by her teachers that when not swearing she would just stare in to space The SENCO Coordinator at the school said " I HAVE 35 OTHER KIDS WITH S.E.N AND I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME DEALING WITH YOUR DD" IM SICK OF HER AND HER PROBLEMS" When i Complained to the Head and deputy i was told by all means you can remove your DD to another school but bear in mind we will send all her records and most schools will not except her.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 04/07/2013 12:56

They can't wash their hands of her, legally she has to be in education or training till she's 17.

Original poster
morry1000 · 04/07/2013 12:54

Mosschops/Flora My daughter does not know what she wants to do and has no confidence at all and believes that she is worthless i use to tell the school that the swearing at the teachers was because DD felt worthless all they would say is that is not acceptable under any circumstances. We have tried the L.A and they seem to have washed their hands of DD and think that DD is unteachable. The funny thing is aware from School a lot of people comment on how polite she is. School was a disaster from the first day of secondary school. I think she believes she as no skils and is not capable of doing anything and yet deep down is a very nice and scared young adult.

OP posts:
imnotmymum · 04/07/2013 12:48

Well IMO it sounds like the school as let her down. Was she medically diagnosed with ADHD? They should have things in place to help her access an education I would fight this. You and her need support

JakeBullet · 04/07/2013 12:47

morry, if this is the case then she has been let down badly by the LA. I would be furious with them. My son is autistic with ADHD and his school are hot in getting in support for him when needed.

I'd be making a massive complaint about the fact her difficulties have not been addressed. If she has been excluded three times then it is surely a red flag to them that they need to find different ways f supporting her to access the curriculum.

Have you tried posting on the SN boards as there are some really knowledgeable folk on there who might have good advice.

Also worth googling is the the Children's Law Centre based in Colchester who represent children for free nationwide and who will give you advice about what the law says with regard to your daughter's education up to 18 and how she should be supported.