GCSE's: special consideration for missed year 10 due to extreme medical circumstance

[Runtus13]

Can anyone give me advice or point me in the right direction for how exam boards view special consideration for missed education due to extreme medical situations?

My 15yr old daughter missed almost all of year 10 because she was living with very high levels of pain, both before and after diagnosis of a neurological condition that eventually resulted in neurosurgery in August this year. During the past year she attempted to go into school when she was able to bear the pain but at most made it in for one or two lessons a week at the beginning of the early terms and was then moved to online schooling - but even this proved very painful as she could not sit up and her eyesight was and is affected by the neurological disorder. We were able to watch historical documentaries and read educational materials together however and have tried to keep her on track as much as possible, as much for her mental health as anything else. She was in a wheelchair for most of the year and is now trying to become mobile again and return to school, with the aid of physiotherapy and the after affects of the surgery. She is also seeing a counsellor to help her with the emotional affects of the past year....

The school have been very flexible and pretty much do whatever I ask but are reactive rather than proactive, which leaves me struggling when it comes to how to approach the PPET's and exams next year. When I have asked about mitigating circumstances and consideration for her situation all I have got back is that they need a letter from her consultant detailing her condition and then each exam will be considered separately - but that will just be about giving her extra time or allowing her to rest as far as I can tell. That could be helpful for her and I will absolutely get that for them but what I want to know is..........is there anyway of asking for special consideration for the huge amount of lost learning time or the disadvantage she has compared to others sitting the exam??

If anyone has any knowledge or insight I'd be really grateful. She is at school in Hampshire and sitting mostly AQA papers. The school talk about removing her from some exams as a solution and we have already done that for one subject but TBH her self confidence is really bound up in academic success (she always struggled socially so threw herself into academics prior to the medical stuff kicking off) so making her drop other subjects of resit the year without her friends would break her heart. Her grades were always in the 6-8 range prior to this and I think she'd be ok with just passing right now but without some consideration she might struggle......with everything she's had to go through, it just breaks my heart.

Does she know what she wants to do after GCSEs? You mentioned college, so speak to them. The admissions there might be flexible, they might be able to do (for example) an interview or an assessment day to see if she is able to take the course she wants.

Don't forget, many people enter all stages of education at different ages and stages of life - it doesn't always have to rest on GCSE results.

Have you suggested re doing year 10? You're making assumptions about how she will feel but doesn't sound like you've asked her? If she's managed to maintain friendships while being off school and coping with her condition I'm sure she can continue them when they leave for college.

I would suggest an adapted curriculum. Take her out of any lessons you can and ask for online learning (done in school) to help her catch up. All schools can access this; she could ‘drop’ a couple and focus on the rest. Nobody will judge her for having fewer GCSEs than she might have. Remember English is 2 GCSEs, combined science is 2, throw in maths then a couple of options and it’s far more manageable. Look at functional skills too- would she benefit from doing it? It’s worth a very thorough meeting with her year head and an analysis of predictions/progress. Definitely push for access arrangements and an EHCP if possible.