SCOTLAND -withdrawing from school whilst seeking alternative placement

[PMSwithacockinmydress]

DC is 13 and has SN

Things have broken down so much at school that DC cannot continue to attend. I have a meeting with guidance teacher and ASN head tomorrow morning where I plan to inform them that we are seeking an alternative school. Depending on how well that goes, will say whether DC is able to continue at this school in any capacity in the meantime, or comes home with me there and then. I'm not optimistic.

I have plans to contact a local MP after the meeting for assistance in communicating with the LA. I'm not sure how long it will take to get an alternative placement at the specific school we have in mind.

In the meantime, if DC comes home with me, do I have to officially deregister, or will they just be 'absent'? We are not planning on withdrawing from the school system entirely, but I am happy to have an extended period of HE if needed, to bring DC back to where they should be at this stage.

Help. It's all a bit overwhelming.

In Scotland you cannot deregister on demand. You must seek the consent of the Local Authority. This should be a formality and ought to take a few weeks. Contact SchoolHouse, the Scottish home ed charity, for advice.

If your child isn't safe at school or if their mental health is suffering, would their GP support you by saying they need to stay off school while you await LA consent to dereg? Otherwise it will be unauthorised, unless the school agree to the absence.

Thanks. Truth be told, I'm not fussed if it's marked as unauthorised, DC hasn't learned anything at school for over 12 months any way. Dcs mental health has hugely suffered so I will think about looking for GP support, thanks.

Yes, I can understand that. Still, fighting to overturn a fine for truancy may be a hassle you could do without, on top of everything else you are dealing with.

How did the meeting go?

Meeting did not go well at all. School made it perfectly clear that they are unwilling to provide the support needed, and are happy to lie to achieve whatever is their goal. The only positive bit was that they admitted they have not had the educational psychologist involved before now, and they offered to call her.

I told them that DC has no future at their school, and the guidance teacher gave me (incorrect) advise with regards a placing request for another school. I haven't told them yet that she is done as of today.

Sorry to hear that your child has been let down so badly that you've lost all faith in the school. Your poor child! As you say their mental health has suffered so much, it might be an idea to have a break from school for a while. Recovery may be easier outside of school.

After all, adapting to a new school is hard work, even if you are offered a place in a school which is really motivated and able to do what it takes to help your child learn and be happy. Your child might not be in the right frame of mind to tackle that challenge if they're still feeling battered from bad experiences at the last school. Many parents say that a few months out of school can make a big difference.

Good luck with it all.