Home ed to mainstream high school

[Nuttymum0]

I’m considering removing my daughter from school for the last 2 months of year six. She’s very unhappy, partly due to Dyslexia, possible ASD and bullying.
I have a place for her at a high school, that is known for its excellent SEN provision, so I want to give it a go.
Would I lose her high school place, if I decided to remove her from primary?

No, they cannot take away the secondary place. You might want to contact them to tell them she is now being home educated and ensure she doesn’t get overlooked for any transition days. Some secondaries communicate about those mainly via local primary schools, and sometimes other new starters don’t hear about them.

In case it makes any difference to your decision:

You do not have to do formal lessons or follow a curriculum. Your daughter can learn in whatever way is best for her, including child-led interest-based learning or projects. You do not have to have detailed plans in place before you start; it is fine to figure it out as you go along.

In theory the Local Authority should intervene if it appears to them that she is not receiving a suitable education. In practice, there wouldn't be enough time for them to go through the procedures to establish that and actually do anything about it. If the education were found to be unsuitable, all that would happen is that ultimately she could be ordered to school. Since you are planning to send her to school in the autumn anyway, there's really no point in them taking any interest in her education now.

I suggest that when the LA get in touch with you, you simply tell them that the home education is a temporary arrangement and you intend to send your daughter to secondary school this autumn. If they have any sense, they will simply make a note of that on their system and not bother you any more, then check back in the autumn to confirm whether she has gone to school.

If you change your mind and she doesn't go after all, the LA will want to know more about how you are educating her. You can ask on any home ed forum for advice on how to respond.

Thank you.

Hi. Replying as i'm in a very similar boat with my DS (also dyslexic, struggling with anxiety, probably ND, and unable to attend school full time for over a year). Having seen him go from happy and bright over the past 2 weeks of the Easter break, to shut down and unable to function this morning (first day back at school), it has given me the push to seriously consider HE. Wondering if it is worth continuing trying to get him into school until summer hols or give it a break until secondary school. Would love to know how you get on and what you decide.

I’m still undecided.
I am unable to reduce my hours at work, so it would mean relying on my sister to provide childcare and supervise my daughter for 3 days a week. (I’m a single parent). Nor am I able to give up work.
I think it’s the SATs that are causing the current issues, more than her dyslexia and possible ASD, so may just keep her in school and hope once the pressure of the SATs ( from the school, not me) has gone, she may enjoy her last weeks at primary.
My sister is away but I plan to have a chat with her, about helping those 3 days a week.
I just wish I was in the position to give up work, but I just can’t afford not to.