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.

My DD failed to qualify for concessions on the tests but is allowed them with her EHCP. The tests as done for her weren't actually a fair test, they got her to write about her favourite subject (she's autistic and has a special interest) rather than do schoolwork which she's much slower at due to processing.

I'm not looking down on practical subjects at all, I'm just worried that we've gone from the teachers saying he is doing really well and going through the last 10 years of teachers saying he is bright but needs to concentrate to suddenly being told to look at foundation learning. So I was thinking do they just send out these emails to everyone or has the school suddenly started thinking he isn't even capable of doing a level one course.

Forgot to add he won't qualify for an ehcp. We had to fight and fight to get one for my youngest and he is a 10 year old with autism, pica and is 7 years behind in his emotional development. Ds3 struggles socially and would prefer to be hanging upside down on his climbing frame than writing but he is mostly doing ok. Although I think he would benefit hugely from adhd medication if he eventually gets a diagnosis.

You may have to appeal, potentially more than once, but based on what you describe and the school suggesting you look at foundation courses, you should request an EHCNA.

@KilkennyCats exam access arrangements are based on the JCQ’s guidance which is available to read online. An EHCP isn’t required.

I've come to the conclusion that it must be a generic email because we received another one today inviting us to an open evening about studying medicine.

For what I can gather from the open days we've done (with a yr11) foundation is for those who don't get 5 x grade 3 in gcse - so a level 1 course, as opposed to a level 2 course for those who do get 5x 3 but not 5x4 in maths and English lang.

What is his writing like? I ask as my eldest sounds alot like yours - work avoidance particualry getting his capabilities down on paper. Have you considered dyslexia? Yes my dyslexic can read... was one of the first in her class at primary to read a full.book etc. But she struggles to process quick enough to get it on paper. She is now working with a scribe which seems to be helping lots. Without it she would be foundation level... with it she might get to grade 6s....

To get an EHCP you have to demonstrate the child has needs that can't be met by the school without additional funding. It doesn't help you get exam arrangements - EHCPs don't mention exam arrangements usually, thats not what they are for. The regulations are very clear and strict on how you demonstrate the need for exam arrangements.

As soon as we got ours, our SENCO said "oh now she has an EHCP I can give her extra time in exams". So, that's my experience which I'm sharing here.

Your SENCO was mistaken if they thought exam access arrangements, including extra time, weren’t possible without an EHCP. You can see the rules in JCQ’s guidance online.

Well it was the only way we managed to get them. Mistaken or not, that's how we solved it. I'm not interested in looking up the rules because it's not relevant to us as we now have it sorted via the EHCP.

I am glad DD now has EAA in place. It is a very poor SENCO who thinks an EHCP is the only way to secure EAA. They leave themselves open to being challenged.

Foundation courses aren't for SEN students specifically and aren't an insult. I did one because I didn't have a high enough mark in maths to go straight to a diploma course. They're a stepping stone, nothing more.

DC1 was taken on a school trip to couple of local FE colleges in year 10. I checked and it was just the SEN kids that were taken. I had a meeting with the HoY asking why, why just that cohort and he didn't see the problem with it at all. I pointed out DC1 was predicted all 7-8s and the school website said any existing pupil would be guaranteed a sixth form place with GCSE grades over a 4 so were they refusing a sixth form place to the SEN kids because that felt somewhat discriminatory...

We agreed to disagree on the day but the trip was offered as first come first served to the whole year group the next year.

I don't want to sound like a snob you do though. Let your son look at all his options. It's his life.

Not all SENCOs know what they are talking about unfortunately. My son's first SENCO at primary managed to get both 'We don't think he is Dyslexic because he can read" and 'He isn't Dyspraxic, he can play sport' in the same conversation. Fortunately she retired not long after.

That isn't how it comes across to me, but then I have an able child with SEN who is again being written off by most of his teachers as lazy because of his concentration issues. Most school staff get very little training in SEN and they all seem to think learning differences are completely solved with a laptop.

I would say this is all to do with marketing and not specific to your son. The A level colleges get more applicants than they used to (more /most kids expect to go to uni). There is a huge UK skills shortage and lack of encouragement for children to choose trades partly because there is a stigma (in my area at least -that you are not intelligent if you choose a trade oriented course).
You need to know the college entry GSCE/BTec requirements for in yr 9 so that the DC can make appropriate GSCE subject choices.