What are the best education/ preparation options for Alevels(maths, psycology,CS) during a year off due to illness after GCSEs?

[J03sP1zza]

Doesn’t look like ds will be going to school this year and will be accessing hospital school at some point.

Just don’t know what to do to ensure he is ready for Alevels next year. Advice seems thin on the ground. 😩He’s bright and got good GCSEs but by the time he starts Alevels next year will have had a year and a half out of proper education. I know with maths in particular that could be an issue.

[10brokengreenbottles]

I completely agree, especially that nothing will change while LAs continue to get away with acting as they do. Arguably it is DC with parents who, for whatever reason, can't navigate the system and challenge LAs that need the support the most.

[moosemama]

I agree, but LA’s will use every excuse in the book to claim children don’t meet the definition, to force parents to tribunal. They have no intention of actually going through with the tribunal, they know they don’t have a leg to stand on, but they also know a lot of parents will be scared off or unable to deal with that situation and back off.

Nothing will change until the government imposes sanctions of LA’s that deliberately game the system like that.

[10brokengreenbottles]

The vast majority of DC who are out of education because of their health (physical or mental) will meet the definition of SEN under,

"has a disability which prevents or hinders him or her from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions."

and will require

"educational or training provision that is additional to, or different from, that made generally for others of the same age" i.e. special education provision.

Even if the LA argue there is no SEN a tribunal is likely to see things differently. Although, as you say, you are likely to be pushed all the way.

RB v Calderdale MBC (SEN) [2018] UKUT 390 (AAC) is relevant case law about a child with health needs and poor attendance.

[moosemama]

Problem being, LAs will argue, medical needs alone do not constitute SEN, therefore they do not meet the threshold. Hence us being twice refused assessment.

My son does meet threshold - easily - though, because his conditions affect him in such a way that he meets the statutory definition of SEN. Which is why they had to concede. Unfortunately, not all medical conditions do. That didn’t stop them deliberately stonewalling and timewasting, knowing they would have to give in and assess eventually. They didn’t care that this was causing him to be NEET from the end of Y11, until they pull their fingers out and get a plan in place. NEET team sent us a one page questionnaire at the end of Y11 and basically said, get back in touch when he’s better - erm, that isn’t going to be for years. I expect we will be pushed to tribunal at every stage of the EHCP process, because basically they don’t want to deal with him, he’s too ‘difficult and complex’. (He really isn’t. His needs are very simple and easily met.)

Now also need to access their NEET careers team, as the only offer they LA have for post 16 EOTAS does not provide anything which will help him towards his chosen career. Standard careers service are hopeless and only seem to know about standard, uncomplicated pathways. We need to identify a clear pathway he can actually access, that we can then fight the LA to provide.

[10brokengreenbottles]

Whilst I agree the LA's statutory duties should extend to those below and above CSA, and in time believe someone will challenge it, going down the EHCP route is more appropriate for DC's needs.

The assessment can be comprehensive, an EHCP comes with the right of appeal, can continue until 25, and as long as it is specific and quantified it is much easier to enforce provision via JR than it is with even vaguely suitable medical needs tuition.

Appropriate SEN support is often a fight whatever the child's age. There are many CSA pupils not receiving suitable provision, so extending the LA's duties would still fail many DC whose parents can't navigate the system.

[MagicalThinking]

Not sure what your son's health problems are OP, but you are right that keeping going with maths when he can is important.

I would recommend starting off with some transition work to make sure that he has all the GCSE material secure. His school should provide something or, if you google 'A level transition work' or similar, you should find ones from other schools.

Then check which exam board his school take and get the textbook for year 1/AS - you will probably need two, one for pure and one for stats/mechanics. There are lots of websites that have videos - my favourite is TLMaths.

For CS and psychology perhaps he could do some MOOCs instead of specific A-level work? CS50 is a good one for computer science

[J03sP1zza]

I just think 16-18 is a really crucial age in life, no less important than CSA and if you’re ill you need support with education and training which is where all 16-18 year olds are at.

Illness can have a big impact on life and the direction it takes. A bit of investment in ensuring kids get the right support and access to the right education/ training they need to get their life back on track would surely save in the long run.

[10brokengreenbottles]

Unfortunately, DC whose parents know the LA's statutory duties, can navigate the system and fight for provision get the best support.

Legally there is a distinction between Compulsory School Age, which finishes at the end of Y11, and the Participation Age, 16-18. Education isn't compulsory for 16-18y/o's, education, training or employment (that also has an element of education or training) is. Although no one follows up those that are NEET.

DC that are CSA are entitled to medical needs tuition which, to an extent, assesses their needs and is tailored to them. However, it is not comparable to a needs assessment or finalised EHCP.

An EHCNA is more than just an assessment by "an education expert". It gives the right to request assessment from anyone reasonable. An EHCP is legally binding, whereas anything less isn't.

I wouldn't want to give up the right to an EHCNA for an automatic assessment from "an education expert" because, no doubt, it would be less comprehensive and the outcomes unenforceable.

Also, not everyone having medical needs tuition will need a full assessment. A child out of education because of their SEN meets the legal threshold (has or may have SEN and may need SEN provision via an EHCP.) for an ECHNA.

Money spent on assessments is a drop in the ocean compared to the money LAs spend defending indefensible cases at tribunals. If only the general public knew how much was wasted.

[J03sP1zza]

That seems nuts. What a waste of resources. Surely if you’re too ill to attend mandatory education you should get that automatically. Money spent on processing informed parents jumping through hoops could be spent on the kids themselves.

What happens to the kids whose parents aren’t informed enough to get an EHCP and who can’t support their dc’s education without one?

[10brokengreenbottles]

I say should, and sometimes it is questionable whether the 'expert' actually is expert. Although whether their apparent lack of expertise is intentional or not is debatable.

[10brokengreenbottles]

I’m just surprised they don’t get assessed by an education expert

This is what should happen as part of an EHCNA.

and have provision tailored to them which builds towards future aspirations

And this is what an EHCP should do.

[J03sP1zza]

It is still early days for us.

[J03sP1zza]

He’ll start first year of A levels.

There is stuff out there but it seems a bit hit and miss and in our case not necessarily relevant to what he needs or wants to do.

I’m just surprised they don’t get assessed by an education expert and have provision tailored to them which builds towards future aspirations and the courses other kids their age are expected to do.It’s such an important time. Maybe further down the line this happens more.

[loveyouradvice]

I have been thinking about you and your DS ever since I last posted....

Just a thought: Could he study and do the AS Maths by himself, with the support your putting in place? It is designed as a one year course, there are lots of materials and it would be the equivalent of doing the first half of Maths A level?

It might be quite incentivising if he is well enough and would be a confidence boost before rejoining school.

I realise that I havent quite understood if you are

1. Just wanting to keep his Maths brain active and ensure he is ready to start Lower Sixth next autumn
   
2. Or are hoping to support him in studying to join Upper Sixth next autumn - all together more challenging
   

And yes Ill add my voice to those who say how wrong it is that nowt is offered to post 16s who have ill health.... so wrong, and deeply shocking

[Tumbleton]

AQA have a Level 2 Further Maths course which has more advanced topics than GCSE Maths.

DS has taught himself the first half of the course (from the textbook) over the summer, to keep his maths brain active in preparation for starting A-level.

[BadlydoneHelen]

Try Mr Hegarty on YouTube- he has a whole series of A level Maths prep videos that your DS could work through

[10brokengreenbottles]

Moose I suspect you are right. They are just trying to make it as difficult as possible.

Punx I am glad you have submitted a request. I suggest you ask the LA the questions in the document I linked to in a pp.

Community paeds can see 16 year olds, even if they tell you it's policy not to. If you ask to be referred out of area due to there not being an appropriate service within the CCG an appointment may materialise when they are faced with the prospect of commissioning OOA services.

J03sP1zza if you apply for an EHCP the tutoring could be tailored to DS' needs. They could plug any gaps and ensure he's ready to hit the ground running for A levels, or even start covering some A level material.

[Punxsutawney]

Ds has watched a little bit of 'ExamSolutions - maths made easy' during lockdown. It's a You Tube channel that Dh found when we were trying to get Ds to think about Sept. My maths is appalling so I can't really comment on how good it is. Ds did watch a bit but he's difficult to engage, so he didn't give much feedback. Maybe worth a look?

[J03sP1zza]

No he has to improve on his health first. We have somebody really good supporting us who has looked into options and we’re starting to investigate the options but not sure any will involving prepping for Alevels although not out of the question.

[J03sP1zza]

Wondering if there are any online courses/ materials that prep for Alevels and you can work at your own pace.

[Punxsutawney]

Moose sounds really hard going. I'm not sure why they make this all so difficult for parents.

[Punxsutawney]

J03s I can understand all your concerns especially as you are still dealing with his ill health, it must be incredibly stressful. 💐
Have they told you what the education hours will be?

greenbottles I submitted an application for a needs assessment about 6 weeks ago, so waiting to hear. In our area community paediatricians no longer see 16 year olds in mainstream education and our adult autism service starts at 18. Two years of nothing! Will have a look at the software. Ds just says he can't take in any information that he reads! The school argue that is not true as his grades are too high.

[moosemama]

Comm Paed was totally confused herself. Initially she implied they were gathering evidence for LA for the tribunal. I pointed out how ridiculous it would be to do an assessment to prove he didn’t need an assessment and then she said - oh no, LA is conceding. Then went on to say they have no knowledge of his conditions, other than what I’d included in my tribunal evidence pack (which apparently was comprehensive and fascinating reading) so it would be pointless them seeing ds for an assessment, especially bearing in mind the whole CV19 issue and they needed his specialists to give evidence for his assessment instead. Specialist had agreed to be involved, but was then impossible to contact - allegedly!

I really didn’t get why they couldn’t organise the OT assessment themselves, but didn’t want to hold things up arguing. I think it was something to do with having to be a parent or professional that was already working with the child. Probably bull, but I wanted it done asap, so I just did it there and then, whole thing done and dusted in a couple of weeks, as everyone else was refusing appointments for fear of CV19. I suspect the Comm Paed could have got it done just as easily with one phone call.

Sadly I just don’t have the energy to fight the system anymore. Been going through it so long with my eldest and now with ds2, as well as having the same health issues myself and I am just bloody exhausted from it all. It’s taken 8 years to get a proper diagnosis for one of his issues and that only happened this week. Specialist in this week’s appointment was appalled at how he’s been messed around by medical, so-called’ professionals, when his diagnosis was so clear cut.

[10brokengreenbottles]

Moose I too am told how unique/unusual/complex DS1 is. I am regularly reminded how unusual and expensive DS1's EOTAS package is. It is always stated in a tone of voice that indicates I should be grateful . His EHCP is comprehensive, but it is all necessary and we had to fight for it. What our LA don't like is I know what they should be providing and will hold them to account.

I also agree about health and education not always working well side by side. When DS1 first got his EHCP the tripartite panel argued about who should pay for what provision.

Why should you organise OT assessments? Why can't the community paed organise them? DS may be mid transition to adult care but community paeds are able to see 16 year olds, especially those with additional needs. It sounds like a delaying tactic.

I do wonder if, in time, someone will challenge not providing education to pupils 16-18 medically unfit for FE. Perhaps one of you want to be a test case?

Punx I know we've 'spoken' on the SN boards. I really think you should apply for an EHCNA for your DS. Would assistive technology help? You can get software that would read a e-textbook. That way DS doesn't have to focus on the task of reading at the same time as processing information.

[J03sP1zza]

Punx if I could get him in for this year I could but we’re just too late. He’s just not well enough.