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Secondary education

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Original poster

Permanent Exclusion..... Next Options

65 replies

alwaysgettingitwrong · 31/07/2019 15:39

First time posting so please go easy......

My oldest is going into Yr10 as was permanently excluded from the local rural secondary school just before the break. He has a lot of Social, Emotional and Mental Health issues, which school refused to recognise for over a year, until we requested an EHCP assessment which was agreed to and will be complete by mid September.

I'm torn in whether we appeal as his behaviour was unacceptable but he was so far into their sanctions policy (Zero tolerance) that he spent 90% in a isolation booth with no breaks or social time for last 1.5 terms which compounded his issues and made his behaviour worse.

Second child is thriving at this local school (going into Y8) and it's outstanding and genuinely well thought of in the community.

He's academically capable but in my opinion, probably a bit unstable and easily overwhelmed for a "fresh start" in a new secondary school, likely to be miles away from home.

Trying to understand other options, he can't go back, there are no full-time Pupil Referral Units within a 30 mile radius, just some ad-hoc private companies that offer the council some education for excluded pupils on ad-hoc days, and by looks of it the learning is somewhat basic.

Has anyone heard of anything else available to us? I'm in a position where we could pay privately but don't think full-time boarding school is an option for us as a family. College appears to be off the cards due to his permanent exclusion.

Any advice much appreciated.

OP posts:
billybagpuss · 31/07/2019 15:42

Are there any private day schools nearby that you could approach?

billybagpuss · 31/07/2019 15:44

Are there any private day schools nearby? It doesn't have to be boarding.

sleepismysuperpower1 · 31/07/2019 15:44

where are you based OP? could you have a look for schools that are specific for his social/mental health needs?

billybagpuss · 31/07/2019 15:44

Sorry for the double post, my wifi is playing up.

Original poster
alwaysgettingitwrong · 31/07/2019 15:45

Not traditional ones - they're unlikely to take a permanently excluded pupil sadly. We only have two locally and both rank VERY highly

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Original poster
alwaysgettingitwrong · 31/07/2019 15:47

To a certain extent yes, but also has a solid academic focus. Seems all the specialist SEMH schools don't even off GCSE's or just Maths / English.

Despite his behaviour struggles he is still working at good GCSE passes for all subjects according to his last report.

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CraftyGin · 31/07/2019 15:48

Find an independent school and apply the EHCP funding to the fees (the Local Authority should pay the fees outright including any therapy and transport costs).

The pastoral care at an independent school should address his SEMH needs.

UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter · 31/07/2019 15:48

I was going to say a PRU should approach you and offer education within so many days of exclusion but you’ve stated that there aren’t any prus near you. They should offer transport though if it is not within walking distance.

I work in a PRU and we have children coming from all over the borough. We have two mini buses that go and collect children and also use of a taxi company. Is this not an option at the PRU near you?

You can appeal his PEX and it will go to a board who can overturn the schools decision. This actually happens quite a lot as some schools are heavy handed in their exclusion policies.

Private schooling isn’t always the best option as they can be quite quick to exclude children as well

Sorry none of my information is much help but I hope you find a solution for September.

billybagpuss · 31/07/2019 15:49

You do now have the assessment which in part justifies his behaviour. Its worth contacting them and asking, the worst they can do is say no but if you don't ask you'll never know.

Original poster
alwaysgettingitwrong · 31/07/2019 15:49

Can I do that? Even if it's usually fee-paying (I was thinking I'd have to pay).

The SEN schools listed locally all seem to have less academic focus.

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Bobbybobbins · 31/07/2019 15:50

We have a local independent special school that caters for higher ability pupils with EBD. My friend's son got in there as it was proven that none of the local mainstream or more traditional special schools could meet his needs.

Bobbybobbins · 31/07/2019 15:51

It was funded by the LEA but they had to go to tribunal to get him in - think it was worth it for them educationally

LolaSmiles · 31/07/2019 15:53

Could you look into the Princes Trust? They do some programmes for young people.

What about your local FE college? Most will have a 14-16 learner section.

Original poster
alwaysgettingitwrong · 31/07/2019 15:54

@UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter we are considering appealing and have until 5th September to decide, but going back there I don't feel is an option, their Zero tolerance policy doesn't suit him at all.

I actually think he'd get on well in a PRU sadly I like in the wrong county. Near my parents there is a very supportive one that I think he'd thrive in.

If it's private it was have to be a very relaxed one with some form of SEN support. I think locally the two I know of are very academically focused.

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CraftyGin · 31/07/2019 15:54

I work in an independent school where the majority of our income comes from EHCPs.

We offer a fresh start to many students who have not been able to thrive in comps.

We would not turn away a student who has been permanently excluded elsewhere as we know that your large comprehensive school does not suit children who are wired a bit differently. In such a situation, we would probably start them off on a trial. The main consideration is that they do not disrupt the educations of others. With LSA support and other therapies, this is not typical.

We don’t give up on a child easily.

Original poster
alwaysgettingitwrong · 31/07/2019 15:55

@Bobbybobbins can I ask what county / LA? Just curious as extensive googling has come up with nothing!

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Original poster
alwaysgettingitwrong · 31/07/2019 15:56

@CraftyGin I feel I need to move house to be closer to these types of school! what county are you based?

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Greensleeves · 31/07/2019 15:56

If his behaviour is very poor, most private schools will hoof him out on his ear a lot more quickly than a state school would. And my experience of the pastoral care in independent schools is...not positive.

Is home educating him until GCSEs an option? There is a lot of online support available now, and you could concentrate your financial efforts on getting him some therapy (CAMHS is a horror show at the moment) and addressing the root causes of the poor behaviour - are there undiagnosed SENs, or a background of trauma?

Sorry this is happening, you must have been through a rollercoaster with him to have got to this point Flowers

Original poster
alwaysgettingitwrong · 31/07/2019 15:58

@Greensleeves he's under CAMHS and we also pay for some private self-esteem coaching too - been really positive on him.

I work full time (excluding 4-5 days overseas a month), hubbie is based at home and has no appetite to home educate at all. I would be more open minded but really can't quit my job.

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sleepismysuperpower1 · 31/07/2019 15:58

would you mind saying where you are based OP? then we could give you some suggestions that might be feasible for you x

reefedsail · 31/07/2019 15:59

I'm sorry if it's blunt, but no mainstream Independent school is going to agree to meet needs of the severity required to qualify for an EHCP for SEMH.

OP, the final stage of your EHCP is naming a placement. You need to work with the Caseworker who is producing the draft to find out what your options are. Then you can have a look at them and state a preference. Phone them during the holidays- it's a good time because they are less busy due to having fewer dealings with schools.

Once you have stated your preference it will go to a panel and they will name a placement for him. Be prepared for it to be tricky as good placements for able students with SEMH are like hens teeth. But they do have a duty to offer him an educational package.

kmammamalto · 31/07/2019 15:59

I've worked in almost all kinds of SEMH provisions (PRUs, special school, smaller hubs) and I've taught gcse in all of them. Are you sure these schools don't offer more?
Also, this might be hard to hear, but alongside all of those issues, grades do eventually start to slide. We have students come who are extremely angry as original schools keep high target grades but with emotional and behavioural disruption the likelihood of these being attained is not great! Not saying it's not possible but usually the reason that SEMH schools focus on a small number of GCSEs is so that the student can do as best as possible in those without over loading their mental health.
I hope that doesn't come across as too negative. I hope you find something suitable soon. You sound like you have an open mind which is a brilliant start!

Original poster
alwaysgettingitwrong · 31/07/2019 15:59

@Greensleeves sorry should have added, Psychologists report suggests a lot of issues stem from him being bullied extensively at primary school (we took him out and moved schools in Y6)

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CraftyGin · 31/07/2019 15:59

I am in London, OP, so not helpful to you.

I wanted to offer you hope that there is a school out there for your son. Just know that EHCP funding can be used in independent schools, and sharpen up your elbows if anyone tells you otherwise. It does not sound like a PRU is in your DS’s best interest.

Original poster
alwaysgettingitwrong · 31/07/2019 16:02

@sleepismysuperpower1 yes Warwickshire is LA, but close to Northamptonshire/Oxfordshire

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