16yo boy will move from specialist school to mainstream college - help!

[violetblue25]

I’ve only got 1 child and he has been in specialist education since year 4 (ASD school with good SEMH focus). He’s in year 11 now and all system go to transfer to sixth form college next September. He’s very ready but also totally not ready! His ASD is a challenge but his academic strengths are off the charts. He’s already sat a few GCSE’s and will have done 9 by the end of next year and is on course for doing a levels in maths, history and law.

My help requests are - what do children need for college / a levels? His specialist school provide everything - it’s like primary school - he’s never even had to buy a pencil case!

I want him to feel comfortable and blend in as best he can from the off in terms of clothes, equipment etc as everything else is already going to be difficult. I’m planning ahead already 🤣

please help me fellow parents.

You should be advised of any specifics, a particular scientific calculator for example. Basic stationery kit and access to a laptop. Has he visited the college where you can see what is typically worn and backpack used.

I’d quite literally hang around outside the school a few mornings or afternoons and watch what the kids wear, what types of coats they have, what backpacks, etc! At my DS’s school literally everyone wears grey tracksuit bottoms and black puffs jackets and carry sports brand backpacks like Adidas and Nike. I think they look terrible and scruffy, but that’s the vibe they are after!

Luckily we’re in black / grey Nike / adidas territory already so that’s a relief!

do people tend to use laptops etc for a levels? Or hand write everything?

He will need a scientific calculator suitable for A level maths, selection of pens, squared paper notebooks, A4 lever arch files (one for each subject), laptop for working and studying at home (not usually used for a levels in school but I don’t know about college, my dc takes an iPad for study periods at school) you may need to buy text books and ypu should be told when he starts his A levels.

The school should tell you what he needs. My DD recently moved for sixth form so we had to work out the requirements and school was very good with providing info.

They have to have a laptop, and school has funding to help with buying one if needed. Same with books- they send a list of necessary books and then extra books and they will order some of them in bulk to get a discount. She also needed a certain calculator for maths A Level. Other than that it’s just a notebook, pen, pencil, ruler and a wallet for papers that she takes to school. At home she has a lever arch folder for each subject with dividers for topics and she organises her notes at the end of each day.

Her school has a list of acceptable clothing (even in sixth form) which is basically about not showing too much flesh.

The boys all use black backpacks, the girls something a bit more hand-baggy.

Paying for lunch is different to her last school. They have some sort of system we can put money into for her to use at school (for lunch, photocopying etc) but she tends to go out to the shops and we give her an allowance for that.

DD actually went to Sixth Form on a scholarship and bursury, meaning most things were provided for her.

We had to supply pens and pencils. She was given a laptop to use throughout Sixth Form. She didn't study maths for A level, but was required to supply her own for secondary. She definitely needed a backpack - not massive but get one that's a reasonably size, ie will take A4 size+, as well as drinks bottle and snacks/lunch/pencil case. I know others had to pay for text books, but it will be made clear if he needs anything beforehand, if not as and when required.

You must be so proud of him. I hope it goes well.

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful.