DD has anxiety - what hapens if she misses A level exams?

[Fretfulagain]

DD is diagnosed with anxiety and after a rough time during GCSEs when she was unable to sit almost half of the exams, I am wondering what happens if she can't sit her A levels. Since GCSEs she has been diagnosed as ND and has had support through CAMHS but it ended over a year ago and although she is in a much better place, generally, I am worried that her anxiety could spike again when the exams arrive. She has managed mocks and is predicted good grades but she puts a lot of pressure on herself and A levels are stressful. We are talking to her and she is open about her anxiety but seems to make sense to know where she'd stand in a worst case scenario.

Anyone around with knowledge of what the arrangements are for candidates who are unwell and can't sit the exam?
I am in two minds about contacting the school - I don't want DD to feel undermined or that we don't have confidence in her and I don't want to do it in secret as that goes against the open relationship we've built since her burnout (and yes, I know posting on here raises questions but I suppose this is me managing my anxiety about her anxiety, if you're still with me . . . )

www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4171021#

I would hope that the school are already aware of her issues and that they are doing what they can to help, but you seem to be saying that this might not be the case.
I would tell her that school does need to be involved so that they can support her, and then arrange a meeting so that you can all discuss what they can do and work on providing the best way forward.
They are best placed to be able to advise, they will want her to do her best.

The current information is here: https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Guide_to_spec_con_process_2023_24_FINAL.pdf

So I’m assuming that your DD doesn’t have access arrangements in place at her setting? It’s a shame this hasn’t been discussed with her school ahead of the exams as she potentially could be entitled to rest breaks and/or extra time with a ND diagnosis/anxiety and access to a smaller venue. It’s too late to get access arrangements organised now but it would definitely be worth speaking to the exams officer and seeing if your DD could at least sit her exams in a smaller venue?

She shouldn’t see this as you not having confidence in her but ensuring she has the support she is entitled to so as not to be at a disadvantage. As i say it’s a shame that this wasn’t thought about before.

If she does struggle with her A Level exams, there is college and if uni is something she wants to do then that is still possible with a college diploma.

This is what I did! I failed two out of three A Levels and left after a very bad breakdown (I was assessed for autism after this happened and was diagnosed with both anxiety and depression), and I went to college to do media studies (which was the A Level I passed, I failed the exam but only passed as my coursework was graded as an A). I went to university and did creative writing and I graduated with a 2:1 degree.

I'd definitely discuss the possibility of letting the school know and seeing what support they offer. This could be a separate room, breaks, a person to offer support etc.. See what she thinks and if she thinks this might help her.

I hope this all helps and I hope she does well!

They can put in a special consideration but it’s not usually worth a high percentage. Are the school putting her on a room on her own and do you have a proper diagnosis? What did you do for the mocks? It should be her standard way of working etc

Hello
Thanks for all your replies and sorry to disappear! DD does have a diagnosis and school are across everything and adjustments such a smaller room and breaks are in place so what can be put in place is there.

I think I am worrying about the worst case scenario, if her anxiety flares and she becomes unable to physically sit the exams. Thanks for the link to the appropriate info.

We’ll do all we can to support her and we’ll deal with whatever happens. Her health and wellbeing are the most important things. I need to stop my brain playing the ‘what if’ game, difficult as that is, I do like to have a plan but sometimes things are beyond your control <gulp>.

In the guide posted above, there is a section of special consideration. I think it is between a 2-5% uplift in marks. But it would be your exams officer to follow this up.

Have been there with my d, too scared to go into the exam and HOY walking around the school with her to get her in to the exam at the last minute possible (own exam room, extra time).

as the poster above mentions, there are alternative ways to get further education, foundation courses, access courses. Hopefully if she knows about these alternative routes, she will feel less pressure.