Can you move sixth form at the end of year 12

[Springhare76]

DS1 moved from schools after GCSEs to a new sixth form. He has an EHCP due to severe ADHD and had several exclusions and a lot of time out of school. He and his best friend moved to this new school at the end of GCSEs as it's a high performing school and they wanted to attend the same school. Whilst the school is good on paper, DS confided in me a few nights ago that he hates the school and hasn't made any friends (apart from his best friend who moved there with him). He said most people are very unfriendly and it's very snooty. I think due to its location it's probably more serious and middle class than his old school which was far more mixed which he preferred. To add to this, he is seriously lacking in motivation and is being made to resit 2 of his end of year exams (he got C, E, E) as he did no revision and the school requires D,D,D for him to continue into Year 13. I think this would be the case anywhere as he was in 2 minds whether to do A-levels and he doesn't enjoy the subjects he's doing (his GCSE grades were ok but not great so ruled him out of doing certain subjects). The question is, is it possible to move him now? Not sure we would even want to do that due to the disruption but just wondered what's possible. If he doesn't get 2 Ds in his resits next week then we may need to move him anyway. From what I can tell there does seem to be more flexibility to move in year 12/13 than mid GCSEs.

Was the necessary updated advice and information not circulated prior to the AR meeting?

Has DS ever had some specialist careers advice from someone with SEN experience?

What support is in the EHCP currently and was/is it being provided?

I would encourage DS to remain in education. That doesn’t have to mean formal courses like A levels of a BTEC. You could look at a supported internship. Or an EOTISC package that is bespoke to DS - these can include lots of things, but if DS enjoys gaming, there are lots of gaming APs and it could include some mentoring and supported work experience as well as some therapeutic input.

Is DS taking ADHD medication? Does he take melatonin?

What does he say? What was his contribution to his AR? It all starts with that really.

This is what I have been trying to get to the bottom of. It's partly because he often stays up really late, until 3 or 4am, and so can't get up in the morning. And partly because he says he hates the subjects he is studying, hates sixth form etc. He is not medicated and he says he stays up all night to work on his computer. He and his BS have this digital marketing hobby/fledgling business he works on. Having been to the AR today, his teacher says he seems overwhelmed by the demands of year 13.

Hard to get much out of him other than he hates the subjects he is studying and hates school and education. It's not for him and he doesn't see the relevance.

Nothing was circulated prior to the meeting and we've had next to no comms from the SEN team at all! Perhaps one in just over year. EHCP has not been updated since year 10. I don't think he is getting any support. I just get an endless stream of messages about his poor attendance. He isn't medicated but we've just been back to CAMHS to restart his medication. Doesn't take melatonin.

Although I have been very unimpressed by the support he has received, the SENCO has spent time with him and seems to know him quite well. He suggested to me that we should get DS reassessed for autism due to some of the traits he sees. I agree that there is definitely something else doing on with him, not just ADHD. Had him assessed years ago (at 8 years old) and they said he had traits but didn't meet the threshold. The SENCO shared my concerns that DS!doesn't seem to have any friends at school (or outside) apart from his best friend but seems to think this is due to DS's choice, as in people try to be friendly but DS is not interested, likes to be alone. I now feel so upset that I've blamed DS so much for his crap attendance and lack of engagement. We have horrible scenes every morning when I become increasingly desperate and say horrible things to him as I can't get him to leave the house.

Advice and information should have been circulated at least 2 weeks before the AR meeting.

You need to look at what is detailed, specified and quantified in F. If this is not being provided, you should speak to the school and LA. Ultimately it is the LA who is responsible for ensuring F is provided. If it isn’t, it can be enforced. Although this is only possible if the provision is detailed, specified and quantified in F. It can’t be enforced if it is vague and woolly.

Even if the LA maintained as is at the Y12 AR, the EHCP should have been amended for phase transfer to post 16 at least.

It will help you to learn more about EHCPs and SEN law. IPSEA and SOSSEN’s websites are good places to start.

Would DS be willing to try melatonin?

As he is saying he doesn’t want to be at school does he have any alternative?

He has a fledgling business, could he give that a go for 6 months and see if he can make a go of it?

If he does then great, if not then he can look into alternatives to Alevels starting next September. He might prefer working part time and studying part time. Having a routine of a job might give him the structure he needs to go to bed at the right time.

You seem very rigid in your thinking that it is Alevels or nothing, dismissing BTECs as below you/him. Which is outdated, snobby and utter rubbish! Given he is failing Alevels, you need to relax your expectations and look at alternative paths. There is no right way through life and he has to find what works for him (not you!),

What about https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students/subjects/marketing

what is he actually interested in?