Can someone help/advise me on what to do next with my dd who is 15 and is struggling at school. It's in regards to finishing school at home (gcse's)

[Cupcake00]

Hello,
I was hoping someone could advise/help me understand a little bit more. My daughter has struggled to go back to school since the pandemic. Year 10, her timetable was reduced, with the plan to go in full time. Her day is split into 6 lessons, so going in for 3 in the morning and then it's break time. We never got past break time. There were days she would be at home. So it wasn't even a full week either. We tried lots of things. I feel that being in the environment became almost like a traumatic experience. She slowly saw her friends less as they were spending time together more. Until she was no longer invited to places with them. She now has no friends, so that's even harder for her. She managed to sit a couple of gsce's in a small room. Unfortunately, she failed them. Yesterday picking up the results (I went to collect them as she didn't want to see anyone), we had tears. I have reassured her so much in regards to resitting and praised her for trying her best.
I never thought I'd say leaving school is for the best but I honestly think it's got so bad now, the environment isn't going to be one that she feels relaxed enough to learn. We have been told, unless she goes back full time, she won't catch up. I can already foresee that she won't as we tried last year.
Is there anyway we can access work or something for her to take these gcse's from home? We are in Wales (UK).
If anyone can please help, I would really appreciate it. I'm on my own and had to take 3 months off work last year. I can't afford to do that again (I'm s financially catching up). I work shifts so I can support her, although I'm not a teacher. I'd need some guidance/support.

How would she feel about attending an FE college?

How is she at independant study?

She does have options.

a) go back to school - this does not seem to be a good option for her
b) start a level 1 course at College and sit maths and English GCSE (you can go to an FE college at 14)
c) Quite rare but she could do an OU course
d) home ed - but this would mean her doing most of the studying herself

Where does she want to be in 5 years time?

sashh thankyou. I wasn't aware that college is an option under the age of 16? It was years ago when I was at school. Home Ed I worry about as nothing is taught. I feel she needs a tutor. Can the school finance this, do you know? I can't see her going back now.

Is she quite motivated when it comes to studying? If so, she could just study at home if you get her all the books etc. There is plenty of free stuff online. It might be better if she is still enrolled at the school even if she isn’t attending, as otherwise I think you may have to arrange your own exam entries and pay? But either way, if she is happy and home and will study there of her own accord it may be the best way.

Is she able to explain what it is about school that she doesn’t like? Is she keen to do well? Both key questions before anyone can advise you!

How would your DD feel about doing her GCSEs online? Start fresh with new classmates from all over?

Does your DD have an ECHP? If she does then they can recommend a specific learning environment/school for her needs which could be an online college for GCSEs like this one:
https://kingsinterhigh.co.uk/gcse-online/

As with any ECHP that states a certain independent mainstream school is necessary to meet the special educational needs of a child, and it is not an unreasonable expense then the LA would cover the costs of the tuition.
https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/special-educational-needs/your-rights/funding-independent-place

*sorry EHCP my dyslexia is doing one agsin.

It was a few years ago they opened up the option for FE college.

Near where I live there is a specialist school for children with emotional or mental health issues which sounds like it would suit if you have one near you.

I doubt the school will finance a tutor but your LEA might have a peripaptetic teacher / tutor.

If she's motivated have you thought about dropping back a year and enrolling in online school. If you Google a few come up with great reviews.

School can be torture for some kids, so I hope she gets sorted 💐

Have the school discussed the possibility of going to a PRU? If they haven’t, it might be worth you raising it with them

2weekstowait thankyou. We have tried at home and it's difficult to understanding when not taught. Especially what they send home. She does want to do well. These gcse's are something she wants to achieve. I have tried to say they're something she can resit or even sit alongside another course at college. She wants so desperately to be able to sit them. She knows that the school environment is difficult for her. She worries that being home all day will be difficult too. She was upset yesterday saying she won't have a prom and is missing out. She said I want a good job and a home when I'm older. She is always talking about Paris and Newyork.
I mentioned the acting/singing class again this morning. She said I'd love to but can't.
Meadowfly thankyou. Its the lack of friends. Very anxious around anyone her age. Disruptive kids in her class, the out spoken ones. She's petrified they will say something her. It makes her feel uncomfortable around the out spoken girls in the class. She won't eat in front of anyone there anymore. She thinks they are judging her.
BillaBongGirl thankyou. I'm going to look at these links now. I appreciate it. A fresh start is needed for sure. I need to help her build that confidence.
sashh oh ok, I was not aware. The colleges are open nowso I will enquire, thankyou. I will also look into tuition.
DumpedByText thankyou. I'm going to do some research today, thankyou.
Moglet4thanks, what's a PRU?

Have a look at Wolsey Hall Oxford. We've been home ed for about nine years and my oldest two are doing/have done their GCSEs through Wolsey Hall. It's more like a correspondence course. They send the books and assign you a tutor for each subject. You work through the courses one module at a time and there's a test at the end of each module which is marked by your tutor. I like it because I know what level they're working at and it helps them prep for their exams. But it is self study for the most part. It's not cheap, but for us it's been worth it for the peace of mind and flexibility. Our local home ed community has a prom each year and teen meet ups, although your DD might not be ready for that as yet. There may be a great home ed community where you are and you'll find that often the teens are ones who have struggled in school or who have additional needs. We've found it tends to be much less judgy and more inclusive - you don't have that tribal thing you get in school.

Hi I second the recommendation of Wolsey Hall, as PP said it enables the child to self study with the reassurance they are on track and have followed the curriculum.

If your DD can't be in school the LA have to make alternative provisions, so consider asking them to do this, this is triggered after 15 days absence which does not have to be consecutive days.

It can be stressful going down this route though but it can provide funding when educating at home is not really a choice but is because the school can't meet needs.

Does DD have an IDP? It is worth looking at SNAP Cymru’s website and speaking to them - they provide a similar service for Wales as IPSEA and SOSSEN provide for England.

Hi, a PRU is a Pupil Referral Unit. It’s precisely for when kids struggle at school but you don’t want to home educate them. There are educational PRUs and behavioural PRUS. The child attends like school but will either have small group teaching or 1:1 depending on their needs