Am I in denial or was this email sent to everyone?

[elliejjtiny]

Just got an email from the sen department at ds3's school. Ds3 is 14 and in year 9. Advertising an open evening at one of the local colleges for "foundation learning". The email mentions ds3 by name and says it will be useful to go to this event to look at next steps for after year 11. In our local area there are 2 colleges, one which mostly does a levels and other academic subjects and one that does mainly practical things like hair dressing, plumbing etc. The email is advertising the practical, less academic college.

Firstly, isn't it a bit early to look at college when we are still thinking about GCSE options? Also, while my son does have SEN, it's more that he struggles to concentrate rather than a cognitive issue.

My older 2 have SEN too but there was no question about them not being able to go to the more academic college and do a levels. Ds1 went to the academic college and ds2 is there now.

I don't want to sound like a snob, and my ds4 has learning disabilities but I didn't think ds3 was someone who would need "foundation learning". Do you think they sent that email out to all the SEN students in his year? Or am I in denial about ds3's abilities? I know I need to talk to the senco but I don't know how without sounding like I think ds3 is better than the less able students, which he isn't, he just had different needs.

At the moment DS3 wants to go to the academic college and do a performing arts course, although if course he will probably change his mind a few times before then.

School messaging/emailing software can do mail merges which pulls the child's name through so it may well be a generic email. They would probably think it useful to look at potential courses and their entry requirements before GCSE options are chosen.

Y9 is not too early to think about college as it can inform gcse choices and help motivate students if they ate aiming for something.

However 'foundation learning' sounds possibly aimed at SEN because I think, may well be wrong, foundation is below level 1 at college?

No harm in looking to know what is out there.

When both my dc got to year 9, I got an email about this I think. One of my dc has sn, the other doesn't. Although I don't remember them mentioning my dc by name.

If your DS has an ECHP, I think it's likely that his school and possible future college(s) will want to start making plans for his post-GCSE transfer a year earlier than they would for neurotypical students. That way they have more time to organise any adaptations or additional support he may need.

It's been a long time since my (Statemented) DS was in the school system, but I remember we started the transfer process from infants' to junior school when he was in the first term of Year 1, and from junior to secondary in the first term of Year 5.

Surely it would be wise for all students to look at all options, practical qualifications aren't a lesser option. Does your DS have an EHCP? If so that could be why they're trying to plan early. They tend to add the next place to the plan at the annual review a year before leaving (during y10) so probably just prompting you to start thinking.

My DS is younger, but his primary school need me to start looking at secondary options in y4, so that they can consult with the next school and get it added to the plan during y5 review.

Thank you. Ds3 doesn't have an EHCP. He is waiting for an assessment for adhd and autism but it's probably going to be another 2 years before he gets seen. His teachers all day that verbally he is very capable but he struggles to get things down on paper and he doesn't make enough effort with subjects he thinks are boring. He is hoping to do drama, photography and history for his GCSE options although I'm concerned about the amount of writing involved with history. He is passionate about the subject though.

My daughter was at a selective grammar and predicted 7-9's in her GCSEs and I still got a letter regarding alternative provisions.

You can go and look, doesn't mean they will go there but it might be interesting to see what's available.

IME, schools send blanket emails about post-16 provision to all students.
Information tailored to your child would be given during parent/teacher evenings.

My DS is younger, but his primary school need me to start looking at secondary options in y4, so that they can consult with the next school and get it added to the plan during y5 review.

I don't know what the y5 review plan is, but I do think y4 is a bit early to be looking at secondary schools - unless you've really got a lot of time I suppose.
You'll need to look round again in y6 because so much can change in 2 years.

Does the school "need" you to look or are they suggesting it might be good to get a feel?

I've had blanket Coz Autism mailouts from school that were totally inappropriate to DS's needs.

The most insensitive was in June 2020 sending out PECS sheets to explain "We can not go to school. There is an illness. We must wash our hands" 3 months after the school shut. DS was more interested in discussing Wuhan lab leak theories. What he needed was some check-ins to check he was safe and healthy given that he did not engage with remote work being set for 4 months.

I have nothing against PECS being used with people that benefit from it to support their communication, but DS had never required it. It was laziness.

I would bet money on this email having gone out to all students, not even just SEN ones.

They have used mail merge software that auto populates student names and parent email addresses etc.

Also, just want to mention that year 9 is the perfect time to be thinking about what you might do post year 11 as it may guide your decisions with regards to your GCSE options.

He would 100% earn more as a plumber or hairdresser than doing a performing arts course. Obviously he should do what he wants, I'm just saying there's no reason to look down on practical courses with a well-paying, defined and reliable job at the end.

At DC's school these sort of letters get sent to everyone. I wouldn't read too much into it - presumably you're used to get all sort of stuff from the school much of which you can just delete straight away if not interested.

I'm glad to hear they are telling people about other options, and I think it probably was a mass mail merge.

You need to get him an EHCP OP if he struggles to write, with an EHCP you can get him a scribe, use of a computer and extra time in exams. Apply now, it sounds like you've plenty of evidence to support it.

Yes, similar. I also get emails for all kind of support, free holiday clubs, where kids eat free in the holidays, clubs for kids suffering from mental health issues.

I also get tena ladies samples through the post now I am over 50, doesn;t mean they think I have bladder issues!

You don't need an ehcp to get exam concessions.

All I can see from OP is "but he struggles to get things down on paper and he doesn't make enough effort with subjects he thinks are boring"

That isn't a great deal of evidence. It's very hard to get an EHCP.

How is eligibility decided, then? Wouldn’t everyone demand concessions if they were available for the asking?

Is the college you're referring to a Technical College? Where I live (North Yorkshire) students have the option to go to a Technical College at Yr10 do their core GCSEs along with some more practicall/vocational options. So we all got invited to the open evenings when our children were in Yr9. It's a fairly new concept, I believe, so wasn't someting I'd even heard of before the invites went out.

My daughter did. It's hard to get them without, it's much easier with, plus an EHCP lasts till they are 25 and so will help them with continuing education.

The SENCO runs various standardized tests.
You can't just demand concessions, there has to be need e.g. speed of processing or speed of handwriting for extra time.

Both mine had extra time without EHCPs, though DD2 subsequently got an EHCP too.

I'm sure OP hasn't put everything down here, plus struggling with getting things down on paper is evidence as all his teachers have commented on it.
And yes it can be hard to get one, I had to fight for a year and go to court, hence why I'm suggesting she starts now.