Year 13 support thread - The End.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Not the end of the threads, just this chapter of life. We'll keep going, don't worry!

However! Not to be used until this one is done

Belated good luck to kitten's dd.
Get well wishes for those with various lurgies.

the third I have done needs assessments with both ds and dd. They both have quite complex issues so they took a long time (dd's was 2 hours) But it was informal and supportive - looking at actual needs not trying to get away with as little as possible.
The problem is that the assessor can only recommend things that DSA will fund.
There is lots of useful software available but that is not much use if like Ellen's ds you can't make use of it.
Mentoring and study skills tuition is the other main area that is funded. Student finance England no longer funds in class assistance unless it is for 'specialist' needs like visual or hearing impairment. Some universities will fund it from their own resources if you can make a case to their disability services to recommend it.
DSA can also fund things like specialist seating, transport costs and extra printing budgets but I get the impression that these are harder to get through.

Ellen I am sorry that DSA is not proving very useful for your ds. His college should really be picking up the gaps but it does vary so much from institution to institution.

NoHaudin thank you, he is hoping for:

• Regular meetings with a mentor or specialist support worker.
• Exam adjustments such as a smaller room.
• Provision for giving presentations to a v.small group rather than a huge room of people.
• Flexible deadlines if he is ill.

I realise that only the first of these would come under DSA, but he is hoping that going through the process will enable him to apply for the other adjustments from the university.

In other news, DD has had some lovely false nails done with diamante bits and all sorts of sparkly stuff - ready for holidays and prom.

Got a phone call whilst I was shit shovelling at the stables to tell me that she cannot get her top retainer off her teeth, because of her false nails.

Oh how I laughed.

ursula how cruel you are [grin[.

the third DSA should certainly cover the mentoring type stuff. I also found that the assessors for both dcs suggested things I wouldn't have thought of.

The other things are, as you say, arranged by the university. It is worth trying to get an appointment with their disability services once you have the needs assessment report. If you wait until the start of term you may have to wait ages for an appointment.

That's very funny Ursula

I do apologise to anyone shopping in a large town centre in the south this morning if you overheard muttered swearwords in the changing rooms. I couldn't get the blasted bikinis back on their hangers. Sodding stupid things. Eventually I managed to find something vaguely decent even if it does have hilarious fluffy pom poms on it.

I also may have bought a rather expensive pair of trainers. Oops

It sounds like the ear throat lurgy is doing the rounds. How annoying at this time of year. I hope you feel better soon lashings. I'm dosed up on paracetamol and ibuprofen and feel okish with them.

Dd finishes the exam in five minutes. Pleasebeok.

Was just coming on to ask when she finishes! 🤞

Ursula
The only time I've ever had false nails was for my wedding. So pretty but sooooo impractical!

I'm sure you rushed to help her!

Kitten there seems to be stuff covered in pom-poms everywhere this summer. Might get some wool out and customise my own bikini (and everything else!) - I used to love making Pom poms as a child, I'll be so on trend!

It didn't go so well. I think she's done enough but it might be a bit close depending on boundaries. I don't want to quiz her too hard via text.

Shit. Was hoping for a clear pass so she didn't have to worry.

As it is Maths can they tell how well they have done?

Kitten sending you & DD big virtual hugs right now! What a stressful day! I feel stressed for you both, so goodness knows how you're feeling! Hopefully those grade boundaries will reflect the hard paper. At least it's over for now - a treat I think for DD & yourself tonight getting through the day.

Thethird you are definitely right about the lurgy! Dosing myself up yesterday & today - my ear & brain feel like muzzy cotton wool today.

What a stressful time for those going through the DSA too! DD1 had to go through hoops of fire at school just for extra time during secondary school, which was such a fight & chore for years, so can only imagine what the DSA system is like!

Very much so. Though grade boundaries are unknown
I think chatting to her it should be OK, I think it's just in comparison to Monday.

kitten sorry that it's not at straightforward 'it was fine'. It sounds as if it is still likely to be ok.

lashings in comparison with getting school support DSA is a doddle. They really seemed to be concerned to be as supportive as possible.

I've just burst into tears. I am really sick of being stressed and anxious all the time and I had really hoped that we could have had a break from that over the summer. Now we don't know for sure and I know everyone is in that position but it's still really hard.

It is hard and it does hang over the whole summer. Especially hard as it is the last one with them at home.
Sorry that doesn't really help does it? Hugs for you.

I feel for you Kitten, I really do.
It's a horrible, cruel system (have I mentioned that before?!) The uncertainty is hideous and it niggles away.

Remember the mantra though - they all focus more on the little bits that don't go well and forget all the bits that did.

Thank you.
It's just not fair is it?

True Lobster.
Going to have to pull myself together before she gets home.
In practice papers she was nailing it.

Kitten your poor DD. Hopefully she'll be able to put it to one side and distract herself until results day.

DS1 has managed to phone the Assessment Centre (with support) and book a Student Needs Assessment.

Also, I went out for an appointment today and came back to find that he has cleared out all of his A-level notes.

So I now have two fewer things to nag him about.

That's really impressive of your ds Third.

I know! And he fitted in a driving lesson! Some days he can barely get out of bed, so I don't know where all this energy has suddenly come from.

Hoping it was better than she thought kitten. It is so hard isn't it...DS was nailing his practice papers, but definitely thinks the real things didn't go as well. Xxx

I hope it's better for your ds too Panda.

Kitten if she's come out of all the exams singing because they were so easy you still wouldn't really know until results day. They could misinterpret the question, be up against a high grade boundary - it's not certain until the results are in.