My DS doesn't seem to be treated fairly by college?

[UndertheCedartree]

This is really stressing me out so any advice or ideas would be much appreciated especially from people working in education.

My DS is 14 and he is Autistic. For this reason he has been home-educated. This summer he applied for a place at our local college for their Y10/11 programme. The Home-Ed advisor from the council was delighted and said of all the kids she knows DS is the top one she thinks will get the most out of the course.

We were invited to the college for a 'chat'. Saw a very nice lady who chatted about various things. She said things like 'the class will be small so not as noisy as mainstream' and I said 'yes, that's great that will suit my DS'. Anyway she went through everything and how all his needs could be met and asked us to bring in some examples of his work. She explained it was so they could organise the classes as the DC can be at quite different levels. She gave the impression he had a place her parting words being she would let us know when enrollment was.

So, I took in a KS3 (Y9) workbook which was about 3/5 full. I did explain we use lots of different resources not just this. I also brought in one of his workbooks that had work from his GCSE level English Lit class he has been attending. However, I accidentally took his 1st workbook from when he started the class in the last term of Y8.

Anyway, then I got an email to say he hadn't got a place as they couldn't meet his needs and were concerned he wouldn't be able to work at the right level. I was very surprised and asked for clarification as I'd been told all his needs could be met and actually his needs aren't all that different from any other DC - a smaller class suits him which is what the college offers. The home ed advisor was very surprised too as she felt he was the strongest candidate. Anyway after a few emails it just got more and more confusing but then the lady we'd seen originally asked us to come in again and also asked for more work. She told me that the English work book was assessed as a grade D (she said the number but then said it meant a D) as if this was very concerning. I was confused as especially as this was completed over a year ago (and dated)I thought that it would mean he was ok to start at the beginning of GCSE studies. Especially as she had told me some DC come in at Y6 level.

So we went back in and I emailed some recent GCSE English Lit work on Macbeth and Lord of the Flies. Plus screenshots of work completed on an online platform in Y9 Maths and GCSE English Lang. The Home-Ed advisor came too and explained he name edited by MNHQ at OP's request was already attending a GCSE level class twice a week so we knew he was ok in a small class. She explained how my DS completes the most work she has ever seen in a Home-Ed kid etc. It turned out the lady had written down he had never used a computer - I had told her he had got a laptop recently when she talked about how he could use a laptop for work as he has some motor skill weakness that means he can struggle with his handwriting after a while although this is much improved and he has OT input. The thing is he's something of a computer whizz so just couldn't be further from the truth. She left us again with the impression he would be given a place.

I then get an email today stating there wasn't enough work provided to make a decision about my DS. We have been invited to go in yet again! In the meantime his best friend has been offered a place. I asked her mother how much work she had presented to the college. She had photocopied 4 pages from one of her English Lit work books (same class as my DS). She hadn't brought any Maths in as she explained to the lady that her DD hadn't done much Maths recently and would be quite a bit behind. So now I'm just starting to feel annoyed that he is being treated so differently and I don't know why. Is it because he is Autistic? I just don't know.

I have bought a couple of GCSE English Lang and Maths book and get my son to complete some of them to show he can work at GCSE level. I wondered if his English Lit teacher could maybe send some information too? I don't know what is for the best. Sorry it's so long!!!

But if he's 14 and graded at a D that means he has a further 2 years to build up his mark. 14yo wouldn't be working at a grade A. What they're saying makes no sense. If you really want the place I suggest you say outright that you think they're discriminating against him due to his disability. Is it Lewisham by any chance?

Not Lewisham, no. That was my thinking too! And this work was actually done when he was 13 so even more reason to think he would be ok to work at GCSE level!

YANBU. Could the Home Ed adviser write a letter to them as a recommendation?

Also, I think you’ve included your son’s email in your OP. (Unless you’ve changed it for privacy). You may want to ask MNHQ to remove it.

@phishy - thank you - yes I've put his name - I'll report!

Yes, thank you good idea. I just looked and the lady from the college has said they are concerned he won't cope with the routine, the full day and the work without a TA. 'They' being other members of the team. She apparently is happy for him to have a place. The thing is this is going to be 3 days a week 10-3. For 4 terms he has been going to the tuition centre for one full day (10.30 - 3) and then a half day (10.30 - 1) as he stays for lunch then goes to an Art class at the local gallery in the afternoon. He travels independently and is never late. At the tuition centre there is no TA in the class and a similar sized class. She has just said to explain all this. I think I am going to ask the manager of the tuition centre to send an email confirming all this.

Anyone any other ideas about this?

Update
Thanks to this thread I felt confident when we went in today. It appears one of the main things they were worried about was his handwriting (which wasn't specifically mentioned or made apparent, atall!) We took in some handwritten work today and it was commented how much better it was. The tuition centre had also emailed the college to let them know he did well with the routine there the length of the day/lessons and he was able to keep up with the work there. I was told we would hear by Wednesday but an hour later I got a phone call to say he had got a place and could he come in on Tuesday to enroll! So relieved! This was followed up with an email to say the head of curriculum was very impressed with him and they felt he was a perfect fit for the course! So a complete U turn! So happy I didn't just let it drop when he was turned down the first time!

Well done, I am glad it’s worked out.

I would be optimistic but also cautious as they have been very odd.

That’s great news, OP! Very happy for you and DS 😃

Well done you OP for pursuing it calmly and positively!

@Cherryana -thank you, I have to say they seem very disorganised. We still don't have a timetable!

@phishy @BecauseMyRingBurnsSheila - thank you!

@UndertheCedartree

Update Thanks to this thread I felt confident when we went in today. It appears one of the main things they were worried about was his handwriting (which wasn't specifically mentioned or made apparent, atall!) We took in some handwritten work today and it was commented how much better it was. The tuition centre had also emailed the college to let them know he did well with the routine there the length of the day/lessons and he was able to keep up with the work there. I was told we would hear by Wednesday but an hour later I got a phone call to say he had got a place and could he come in on Tuesday to enroll! So relieved! This was followed up with an email to say the head of curriculum was very impressed with him and they felt he was a perfect fit for the course! So a complete U turn! So happy I didn't just let it drop when he was turned down the first time!

That is so bizarre. Why does his handwriting matter? My DS is autistic and has hyper mobility and his handwriting has always been a huge problem for him. From about 2nd year secondary school he used a laptop for ALL writing. Including in all his exams. This is a very common adjustment for children with special needs so why his handwriting was a deal breaker I can't understand.

@RavingAnnie - the whole thing was so confusing! At the original meeting the lady said not to worry about his writing as he could use a laptop.

@UndertheCedartree well done on pursuing this and getting a good result. You have been unlucky with the staff member concerned but at enrolment I would make sure you find out who key people are and how to contact them. Eg a personal tutor, study support staff, student services ( or equivalent) and the additional needs coordinator. Most of this information is probably available on the website or in course leaflets. Being able to meet any of these support staff and knowing where they are located could be really useful.
Good luck and all the best to your DS on gaining a place

Have to say all my experiences of collage 'type' places is things are quite chaotic for the 1st few weeks because of the fluid nature of applications and part time staffing they seam to specialise in

@Bargoed

Have to say all my experiences of collage 'type' places is things are quite chaotic for the 1st few weeks because of the fluid nature of applications and part time staffing they seam to specialise in

That’s very true and because applications and actual enrolments are often so wildly different timetabling can only only be done ‘late’ and be subject to change.

@AlloftheTime it's hard to plan when you don't know if you have 10 or 100 pupils per course plus staff often seam to only term time contracts unlike most 6 th forms where the staff are on role teachers

I wonder if they suspect the work presented is not authentic?

@AlloftheTime - thank you for the advice

@Bargoed - yes, that makes sense so hopefully after enrollment he'll get a timetable!

@Penistoe - you mean the typed work? I guess it's possible. But even the hand written work I suppose I could have just dictated to him!!