Dd doesn't want to go back to school

[LighterDays]

You might remember me from my other threads but I've name changed again as I've posted some outing things.

My DD is 15 and she gave birth 2 nearly 3 weeks ago. She is supposed to be in year 10 and attended school up until Christmas, she had a horrible few weeks with her ex and his friends bullying her, name calling and he’d wait outside her classes to try and talk to her when she told him she didn't want to talk to him and it was quite intimidating to her. School weren't very supportive about this and it caused her a lot of stress so she didn't go in the last week or 2 but he isn't at the school now

Anyway after Christmas she was on what would probably be maternity leave, she studied at home though but since baby has been here she obviously hasn't. We never chatted about when she’d go back with the school or anything they just said let them know and keep them updated

She has said now she doesn't want to go back after Easter (he will only be 8 or 9 weeks old so I don't really blame her) so I don't think she will go back until September and even then she is sorta worried about leaving him from like 7:45 am (she left this time to get the bus) until nearly 4pm at 7 months but I guess that's how all parents feel

I'm just worried about how behind she will be in her GCSE year as she will have missed so much. I know 14+ colleges are a thing, I don't know if there are any locally but it would also help if it were more flexible rather than 8:30-3 days 5 days a week. I'd be caring for him most likely as that was agreed and I don't mind I just want her to do well.

If you/your dc have any experience of these colleges can you tell me know what its like? Also any advice in general would be appreciated

Can't she repeat year 10 next September?

I would try for the 14+ college/course. My son is in his second year and they are really supportive. Totally changed him, he's so happy and confident now. Currently attending 3 days (9am -3pm). Good luck to your daughter x

Unfortunately I doubt it as she isn't summer born and she will be 17 by the time she leaves and the school is only 11-16 as there's no sixth form

Would online school be an option at all?

I can’t see her going back to school before September, it would be like asking someone to go back to work at 9 weeks, which is very early. I would look at restarting year 10 in September.maybe in a new place as that might be easier socially,

Might be worth asking.

Is there an education offering through your local hospital? We have one that supports very ill youngsters and also teen mothers. There is a more limited curriculum but they get decent results and targeted support as well as a cohort in a similar situation. Search for “hospital education service” and your county.

Look at Colleges locally. Many have 14-16 units. Your daughter would have more flexibility and be allowed to study more at home around her baby. Plus she would then probably be able to carry on so she could do year 10 when she should be in year 11 and year 11 when she should be in year 12, then carry on into the sixth form provision to do year 12 and 13 when she should be year 13-14 as it were, at the same provision.

@SmallTreeDeepRootsive just done a quick google and unfortunately I don't think there is anything like that

@Kepler22Bi don't think I could afford online school :( I don't think she will be back until September either and I don't want to force her as I wouldn't want to go back to work leaving a 9 week old either

I will have a look at colleges, just looking for options really

Definitely look what is available locally. They might not shout it from the rooftops but there are things like mum&baby schools/colleges, or other education options. I agree also that 14-16 college placements can be great and some will have a crèche onsite too. Which even if neither of you want straight away might be handy on 12months or so.

Thank you ill have a look

I think a creche would be helpful for when it came to putting him in nursery as i don't know how it’d work with dd needing to be there for a certain time and obviously not driving so having to get the bus but also dropping him off at nursery, I couldn't do it as I have younger dc to take to school so them both at the same place would be helpful

A girl I know fell and broke her back when she was in Year 11 and couldn’t take any of her GCSE exams. Later, she went to college where she studied BTEC Health and Social Care along with GCSE English and Maths. After completing her BTEC Level 3 Diploma, she went to university.

For your daughter, this may feel like a difficult time and it may seem like a loss, maybe even a few terms behind. But please tell her that if she truly wants it, she can still succeed. It’s never too late as long as she is determined.

I wish all the best to her 🙏🏻🌸

Your local SENDIASS may be able to offer advice. Strictly speaking they are for kids with special needs but as a teen mum your DD might qualify and they are likely to know about hospital schools with teen mum classes. Good luck