A Levels for pupil who needs to shield

[WelshMoth]

I'm hoping that some experienced MN'ers can help me out with this one. Apologies in advance if I'm too vague - I'm trying to seek advice for a former pupil and don't want this to be too outing.

Should a 16 year old who is incredibly immuno-suppressed AND still undergoing active treatment AND unable to walk/stand for prolonged periods but is desperate to undertake A Levels, be able to pursue further education?

So far, the advice has been for them to pay privately, but it's just pupil and single Mum (who's had to access benefits because the illness has been so serious, so working stopped) so paying privately isn't even an option.

The college they were hoping to attend was quite supportive during lockdown - said that this was plausible because at the time with the C-19 situation, everyone was learning from home remotely. Now that it looks like college will resume as 'normal', the enrolment office has suddenly fallen very quiet and are reluctant to commit.

The Mum is becoming very despondent. This teenager has lost so much of their teenage years to a terrible disease but their sole goal has been learning. They've outperformed many of their peers through sheer hard work and focus despite being desperately ill. They were provided with a home-tuition service paid for by the County and Mum paid for extra hours privately here and there when she could afford it.

Now that pupil is 16+, it seems that all help is being withdrawn. This pupils is driven and wants to learn and despite having a life-threatening illness, is desperate to cling onto some normality. County education department is incredibly unhelpful - all are working from home still and no one is calling this Mum back.

Can anyone offer some advice please? This pupil cannot be the only immuno-suppressed and disabled pupil that wants to learn? There is no way they can attend college in person whilst in active treatment, but their desire to learn is so strong. The doesn't seem to be any support for pupils in this situation, other than pay privately, and this isn't an option for this family.

Is there any way they could access an online school? You might be able to get the LEA to fund it via a health care plan?

That’s awful. You need to speak to the Education authority.
Our son has a health issue - nothing like your pupil’s - and we took him out early. College are very clear that they will support individuals by providing remote work for as long as those pupils’ circumstances (Or the circumstances of very vulnerable family members) dictate, will authorise their absence and guarantee their place. So it absolutely can be done if the will is there.

Thanks Branleuse - I'll look into that. Despite working in secondary education, I didn't know that there are online schools.

itsaratrap Mum is calling them constantly, and given that they are still working from home, many aren't returning her calls. The only official advice from County was an abrupt "You'll have to pay".

Mine have all done online school here and there. We used myonlineschooling. I know theyve started doing A levels now too.

I think I'd be contacting my MP if the LEA was being that obstructive - it's disgraceful.

Happy yes, that's the next step if Mum nor I don't get a response.
I don't know whether the remote working is an issue - but the "pay private" was a real let-down.

This pupil has endured so much and continues to suffer. Despite a really dry sense of humour (one of the many reasons I adore them), their mental health has taken one battering after another. Yet still they want to learn, and to go on and do good things. Last year, when our kindly Exams Officer in school said gently "Is this important enough at the moment (referring to exams)" when he was really poorly, his Mam's reply will stay with me forever - "While he's hoping, he's still fighting. While he's still fighting, I will be fighting harder to make it happen".

I want to support them - they really are an incredible duo.

OP is there a hospital education service in your area? They should be able to provide support and advice to this family about accessing education.
There are also educational charities that may be able to provide help with payment if needed. I am unable to provide specific details but the hospital service may have the information needed.

Hope that helps

Thanks @catndogslife

Clic Sargent have a paper relevant to children with cancer here. Would any of this be relevant?

Does the pupil have an EHC plan? I would assume so, given the severity of the illness?