looking for a virtual secondary that doesn't cost and is accepted by LAs

[caragiale]

After 5 months of all the possible medical tests, we still have no diagnostic for the chronic pain of our 12yo daughter (possible fibromyalgia, possibly not). She has missed school - every week a day or two. There is no improvement and I doubt there will be even after the holiday. The school does very little - apart from being understanding. The kids are constantly bullying her as there are days when things are better and days when the pain is excruciating, and they think she is lying. There are constant nasty, bitchy comments that make her life an utter misery on top of everything else.
We are researching the possibility to join a virtual secondary school - but at no cost if possible - as I had to give up work and hubby's isn't great at all. My daughter is bright - but no genius - and enjoys school (however she has to say that she hates it when in school due to the kids giving her a hard time for enjoying it, how twisted is that?)
We have only looked to Interhigh and Academus but not sure what the kids results for GCSE or A levels (or IGCSE or IBaccalaureate) are for us to make an opinion if their teaching is that good.
We noticed in other discussions that a lot of the kids that got financial support have a diagnostic - our doesn't and we area a long way away from one. We are not sure we will get any through LAs.
Any experiences or suggestions are very welcome.

Bumping for you. No experience but for you and DD, how stressful. Have you tried contacting the LEA, perhaps ask to speak to the "Inclusion team" if there is one. May have some ideas for you. Equally have an off-the-record chat to SENCO at your school, perhaps they know of some suitable alternative? Good luck.

Why are the kids nasty. Why don't you get school to help.

You might try asking on the home ed forum; someone there is bound to know.

It could also be worth considering a DIY approach instead of a virtual school. Most home educated kids in this country don't use virtual schools. Doing it yourself may sound daunting but many people discover it is not as difficult as they expected!

Nisai online academy. It's for kids, who, for one reason or another can't access mainstream education. Lots of kids with chronic illnesses. Many LAs buy into it to enhance their alternative provision. You might be lucky and find that yours does too.

The school being understanding is great- but what are they doing about the bullying? "Constant nasty bitchy comments" to a child with health problems is not "normal" and should not be tolerated.

The school provides help only for kids that miss consecutive weeks of schooling due to illness. Considering your answers it looks like we will have to go in and push for the support we need.
Nothing done about this 'silent' bullying as the little nasty comments seem to be seen as part of 'growing up' and not like the 'real bullying' with swearing and threats. It felt like being told we are overprotective - how can anyone not be while watching a child in utter agony? Sneezing or even turning her head is followed by cries of pain.

Virtual school seemed like a good compromise.

Thank you everyone - I will try to re-post this in the general Education section.

I think it's time for you to contact the LA. The school should have referred your daughter to them long ago. If she is missing one or two days a week, she is not receiving a full-time education. The LA is required to take steps to address this as soon as it becomes clear that a child "will be away from school for 15 days or more, whether consecutive or cumulative". Presumably she has already missed that much school and without a diagnosis there is no reason to expect the problem will disappear, therefore they should expect she will continue to miss a significant amount of school and should take action.

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/269469/health_needs_guidance__-_revised_may_2013_final.pdf

They might not agree with you about online schooling being the best way forward, but they have to propose something. You might be able to get them to fund the solution you are after.

I know Interhigh has a seperate set of classrooms where the kids' fees are paid by the LA. The IGCSE results were fine according to the teacher on The Staffroom here, who checked it out for me.

How about Wey Academy for september ? If it gets approval it will be a state school for anybody who fancies it.

I'll go find a link.

Wey Ecademy

Following the information you provided, we have now contacted the school to have a chat with them and find a solution - which we think will be one of the virtual schools.
We will look into Wey Academy and also will be reading the LA guidance before we go to school.
Thank you for the help, will keep you posted