PDA so avoiding exams - High School Diploma?

[ADifferentPathAuDHD]

I'm hoping that EOTAS families are welcome on this board too; we've done both EHE until Y7 and now EOTAS for DS with complex needs.

Has anyone else successfully gone down the US High School diploma route with their Home Ed student? How did it go and how have employers or universities reacted to having a different qualification?

My son can't handle the stress of exams so far so we're trying different alternatives. I've love to hear how others have approached qualifications when DC are too anxious to sit exams and struggle to sit and learn in the traditional way.

Looks like we're going to be the guinea pigs here, ha! DS is now enrolled in a US umbrella academy and it's full steam ahead.

I think you can answer the UCAS question on their website. The US diploma will count for UCAS points.

Thanks @Phineyj . I know that it counts the same, but do wonder how they react in reality when a UK-based student has a US-based qualification instead of A levels. University isn't likely to be an issue in our situation due to the complex needs however I wouldn't want to block off a future option.

Depends where you are in the UK but I don't think here in London anyone would bat an eyelid.

Besides points are points when it comes to UCAS!

You have made your choice so this is a bit late, I was going to suggest BTEC or OCR nationals.

There are other options eg functional skills, it is an exam but done online.

Some other ideas

https://he-exams.fandom.com/wiki/Vocational_and_recreational_courses,_portfolios_and_certificates

Thanks @sashh . He is doing Functional Skills but not sure how the actual tests will go, as he's extremely anxious around testing. But it counts as our English and Maths for the high school diploma so that's a bonus. Small group classes in real life haven't gone well due to the anxiety and dyslexia and online classes haven't worked fantastically due to the ADHD and need for one-to-one. So we've been in a tough position! He gets one-to-one tutoring thru his EOTAS package and that has been fantastic.

Just a thought City and Guilds do loads of qualifications, usually vocational including a stand alone project.

I think we are conditioned to think education + school = GCSEs but there are lots of different qualifications for all sorts of subjects, dog grooming, hair dressing, music...