New to this-advice please!

[Mama6]

Hi,I'm currently in the process of deregistering dd who is 14,after countless issues with school. To cut a long story short I'm wondering as to how I go about keeping up with her education from home until she can get a place at the local college to do animal care. They do take 14-16 yr olds but its on agreement with the school who are currently ignoring me in the hope ill back down and just send her back. Is following GCSE necessary or relevant bearing in mind she knows what course she wants to do anyway and doesn't need specific grades to get on the course,and how to I keep the lea amused in the mean time? Also,if anyone has any advice as how to fill the remainder of the day in so as to stop her from thinking she's on a jolly and can just sit all day watching friends on Comedy Central. I've been trying to get hold of some asdan short courses but not having much luck?

Apols for long post,any help offered is really appreciated.

Helen x

If I were you, I would ask the college directly....whether they would take DD without it being on agreement with the school and also whether they need her to be studying for GCSEs...explain your situation fully, without seeming to be cross with school....

Since she's now (from your end anyway) officially in home education, it is up to you how you feel she needs to be educated.

Has she had a very bad time at school? How long has she been out? If she's been having a bad time, then I suggest that you allow her some downtime/recovery but explain that after Christmas, she has to knuckle down again.

She could do some kind of animal project to be going on with.

From September 2013, colleges can make the decision to accept 14-16s (and access the funding for them) without there being a school or an LA in the mix.

This has only seriously come to a head a week ago,so as everything is winding down for Xmas wanted to get something sorted for new year. I have asked college,who told me to ask school permission,school said had never heard of such a thing and she was too young for college and I had to go to lea admissions who never ring me back. Slightly frustrating to say the least! DD is seeing cahms weekly so letting her have a bit of QT at home for now.

Following from what SDeuchars says about next September I think you should look into that and find out more...then contact both school and college in wrting with your request for her place next September.

In the meantime...she has a whole year to study up on animal care and maths/literacy if that's the road you want to take.