Offsite direction

I asked three questions in order to try to advise further. You ignored them. People can’t help if you don’t engage.

To be honest I am having difficulty understanding 'your side' apart from the fact you and he would rather he stay in his home school and that travel to new school is £50 weekly via taxi.

Given that he has regularly failed to behave at home school but is managing at new school. Why do you think that is? Why do you think he would be able to behave at home school now when he hasn't before?

I wonder whether you may have a more articulate friend who could advocate for you with the schools? The friend could with your permission understand the process better and explain it better than the school seems to have managed.

My understanding is that if your son goes back to home school and behaves all will be well. But if he doesn't he may be excluded permanently giving you fewer options.

Please don't just remove him to 'homeschool' as I don't think you will be up to it.

Are there any UTCs in your area?

People are trying to explain it to you. Some of us work in schools or are school governors. It is normal to be asked for admissions information for an offsite direction because, for a temporary period, your son will be registered at both schools.

If you/he refuse the offsite direction then the next step may be expulsion. Is that what you want?

You might find this information helpful: https://childlawadvice.org.uk/information-pages/direction-off-site-for-the-improvement-of-behaviour/

You need to speak to both schools to know exactly what they are aiming at, all schools do different things with directed off site placements, the paperwork should follow a model of reviewing regularly and making sure you understand what is happening. Ask the school why you have been given an admission pack, is it something they routinely give parents in this position? They may think they are being helpful (local authority in year applications can take a while to process) Only the school can tell you why they've given that particular paperwork, ask them why.
I understand that this process can seem overwhelming and confusing, ask both schools to explain properly, it may be they are hoping that your son would have the opportunity for a fresh start.

I would contact both schools in the same email and ask for clarification of what is happening so you get it in writing.

To give him the best chances in life, you'll need to ensure that he gets a Grade 4/5 GCSE in English, Maths and Science and still gets to socialise and participate in sport with others in his age group in a safe/controlled way. Do you think you would be able to teach him these subjects to that level? If he has SEND, how would those needs be met - would you be able to drive an EHNCA get him assessed for a possible EHCP and arrange for EOTAS?

There would be support from the local authority Elective Home Education contact if you contact them - but it could end up with him going through the Fair Access Panel in any event just to ensure that he has the opportunity to take any exams - only by that point at an even greater disadvantage due to missing months or years of formal education and likely having to stay past 16 just to get the minimum qualifications he'll need in order to get jobs or apprenticeships.

'Just' pulling him out is rarely the best solution. I'd suggest you discuss it properly with both schools and the local authority to make sure his needs would be met for education, socialisation and health; it can be really lonely for them stuck at home all day every day with only one parent or just an X box for company and it makes returning to education even harder on them when it breaks down, as it does often due to it being a reaction against a school decision, rather than a philosophical belief entered into in full knowledge and understanding of what is needed.

So..
Directed off site isn't a managed move. It sounds like the original school are trying to prevent a permanent exclusion.
He will be dual registered. The In Year Admission form would be filled in if you want him to stay there. They should be holding regular reviews.
I note a previous post where someone says you get 'no choice' if placed under the fair access protocol.... in some ways you're correct, it isn't a 'choice' but parents certainly get to state a preference on the In Year Admission application.
My advice would be to contact both schools and ask for a joint review so that you know exactly what is planned.

It is probably a admissions registration form, not an admissions application form. They need to know things like his address, next of kin, gp's contact details etc, to help keep him safe.

He's likely to be excluded very, very quickly. And then he could be sent anywhere within your area, which could be much further - you don't have a choice about the school the Fair Access Panel directs to take him - or he could end up at a PRU, which could be great or it could be terrible for him.

The new school is offering him (and you) a chance to turn things around.

That's because the teacher is giving points to the whole class and he's still on the timetable (because it's a temporary move).

It sounds really positive that the new school are prepared to keep him, rather than the main school, who did this as an alternative to proceeding to exclusion. He's also improved his behaviour considerably since he's been with them - so they're clearly doing something that works for him.

I am paying a taxi fare of £50 a month
£50 a month is no more than £2.50 a day for travel, so not exactly expensive compared to the potential travel costs to get to a PRU after exclusion (or any school through Fair Access Panel protocol - when you do not have any say, so it could be much further away and a much worse school), especially when he's at secondary, so well able to use public transport.

Rather than refusing out of hand, give it some more thought - he's doing well, they want to keep him, he wasn't doing well at the previous school and is very likely to permanently exclude him at the first incident were you to enforce a return. Surely £2.50 a day is worth giving him that better chance?

Yes, I meant if he reverts to poor behaviour when he returns to his main school he will be at risk of permanent exclusion.

other stiffest have done worse stuff isn’t focusing in your DS.

Have you asked about transport/transport costs?

Does DS have an EHCP?

Why haven’t there been any meetings?

Focus on DS rather than other pupils.

I think @TeenToTwenties means, DS is at risk of permanent exclusion.

The discussion I guess you will need is how to help your son not go back to his old ways when he returns to his school.

If he wants to return he will have to get his act together. Have there been discussions on why he has behaved poorly in the past and how that can be changed?

If he reverts he will end up having to move.