Daughter can’t go back to 6th form- what now??

we met a lady yesterday who was a 'young people personal advisor' I think it used to be called Youth Connections, these things change name often! But she went thru with us about what is available e.g. apprentiships, college, etc for DS who is very able school wise but has an EHCP for other issues. I think you might be best to see what your county offers like this as she was very good, spent time to work out and help signpost us in the right direction. This was done at school as DS is at a transition year, but i am sure that you would be able to access similar for you DD.

I dropped out of my A Levels due to severe mental health problems at the beginning of Year 13. I took the rest of the year out. By the summer I was doing a lot better so I worked a couple of jobs in hospitality. Then in October, I started a Certificate of Higher Education (equivalent to first year of a degree) at Birkbeck university. It’s similar to an access course but you don’t have to be 19 when you enrol on the course. They only asked for Maths and English GCSE. It’s worked well for me: only six hours a week for 30 weeks actually on campus. And I’m off to another uni to start my undergrad in October which was the aim. Downside is obviously you have to pay but you can get a student loan.

Alternatively, some universities will let you onto a foundation year of a degree without any A Levels. I remember Southampton Solent being really helpful when I explained my situation. I think they might have taken me on but the course was full because I applied very late. Another option could be a Level 3 apprenticeship when she’s well enough in an area she’s interested in. They don’t carry UCAS points mostly but a lot of universities are happy to be flexible and accept people who have done apprenticeships, as long as they’re Level 3 or above (I know that the Uni of Derby is one, not sure about others).

I agree with others that the OU might be a good idea. It’s flexible and hopefully it would help her gain her confidence back without pushing her too far out of her comfort zone.

Or, she could take some time out to intensively work on her mental health, maybe with a part time job or volunteering thrown in. And then start an Access course at a local college once she turns 19. It can feel like the end of the world but she’s got so much time to fulfil her potential whatever that means for her. The main thing should be getting back to reasonable health so she can make the most of all the opportunities that are out there waiting for her.

My dc left the a level course in year 12 this time last year. They are half way through a BTEc and loving it. There are some great BTec to take

If she wants to study but would rather not be taught school-style, Open University might work for her. It's open access, so no A-levels required - she could either start with an access course or go straight in at level 1.

You can continue to get child benefit for 6 months if the young person can’t attend because they are unwell. In exceptional circumstances you may get agreement for it to continue longer.

She’s clearly very academic with those grades. Has something happened tin the last year that has caused her not to want to go to school?

My DN struggled in school and dropped out of Y12 halfway through, due to bullying that her school refused to take seriously. She went on to do a 2 year course in a subject she loved and then onto a degree.

But if your DD does not like to be taught, I don’t know what her options are. At her age I believe she has to be in education or training. You might get an exception for a year due to her MH issues, but I think you need some proper advice.

Counselling, is a good start, maybe it will uncover her reasons behind not wanting to be at school and/or her aversion to being ‘taught’.

When you say 'doesn't like being taught' do you mean 'doesn't like rigid atmosphere of school, (so might do better in a more relaxed college), or doesn't like sitting in a classroom at all?

OP, do look in to applying for an EHCNA. Have a look at IPSEA and SOSSEN.

EHCPs can fund a lot of the provision mentioned here that wouldn’t otherwise typically be funded such as online provision and home tuition.

I imagine the focus will be keeping some structure to her daily routine, keeping in touch with friends and getting her better.

She should be in education or training, however in reality they don't do anything if she's not. You may lose child benefit etc. if she's not, although she may be able to claim something in her own right.

I would enrol her at the open university to sit her A levels or a diploma or the local college? Or even homeschooling could work with a tutor a few times a week depending on your financial situation, it needn't cost a fortune and she could still gain the qualifications and have the time to move on with her peers if she is well enough.

I am so sorry you are going through this op. It sounds really hard none of us ever envisage some of the things we have to worry about as parents once they become teens. Can you get some professional advice from the school careers advisor?

Resits and retakes are funded in exceptional circumstances, including long term illness, so resitting the same subjects shouldn’t be a problem.

I looked at this for my daughter. They generally don't take post-16s.

There are plenty of funded courses available past the age of 19. It often depends on whether you have already achieved that level of qualification or not, but I've certainly done funded courses well into my 20s, even in my 30s, and I left school with A-levels.

I'd let her have some time out and look into college once she's feeling up to it.

She can repeat Year 12 year at another school as she will be funded a school until she is 19. However, she may not be allowed to take the same subjects as there is some rule about this. But if you speak to the school - usually the governors and explain the circumstances they will often overlook this and allow it, although they may ask for a letter from the doctor.

You are late to apply for schools but contact any schools you are interested in. Good luck OP, I hope your daughter feels well enough to make a new start in September.

You can do the Access Diploma with the Open University too.

More info about the Access to HE Diploma here: qips.ucas.com/qip/access-to-he-diploma

@PacificFish I know someone who has dropped out of y13 without sitting any exams and is applying for university access courses, as a bridge to doing a BSc the following year.

In theory they should be in education or training until they are 18. You would be able to restart a course at College in September. Does your DD have any idea what she would like to do? You could consider an apprenticeship. My Dd has struggled with her mental health since leaving school and is now finishing a 3rd year at College🤞🏻. Some just don't like education but it does help if you know what you like. Get some advice from College. Good luck.

Your daughter is only 17, so would most likely be allowed on most 16-18 programmes.
Check out local colleges 😊

A medical PRU or any kind of medical needs tuition is highly unlikely post 16 as the LA’s statutory duty to provide education to those unable to attend school only applies to compulsory school aged pupils.

If DD’s MH difficulties are significant you should consider applying for an EHCNA. The benefit of this is it can include therapies without the need to sit on normal waiting lists.

Here are the funding regulations. A pupil who is 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August prior to starting their course will continue to be funded for the whole programme. And as DD is unwell you have a good argument for resitting, which are only funded in exceptional circumstances.

I'd think your local college would know most of the rules as they'd be the people applying them. There is probably a difference between adult funding to do L3 qualifications / access courses and funding to do them as part of 16-19 education.
I'd phone local college and ask to speak to admissions and go from there maybe?

OP
There is a lot is misinformation about funding on this thread. Please get proper advice from someone in real life.

Funding is largely dependent on whether or not someone has a L3 qualification or not.