Y11 ongoing anxiety and coping with exams

[notanothercheesesandwich]

Does anyone else's DC have anxiety issues and what are school doing to help them cope? My DD has missed lots of Y10 lessons as she can't even get into the classroom. Summer term mocks were a disaster as they made no special provision for her and when she saw she was in a hall with 200 others she ran away - so they excluded her for 2 days. After that she did do a couple in a small room setting or adjoining office which helped. School have said the SENDco is due to go on some training for anxiety management but it isn't until after the mocks! I can't believe this is a new or rare problem though (even if she is a bit more extreme than most), so interested in any experiences or techniques you might have.

I definitely don't think this is a new or rare problem - I'm 31, and half a lifetime ago I was refusing to go into school in Y10 and 11. I think I had a diagnosis of generalised anxiety disorder (though I'm not sure I was aware of the diagnosis at the time). I had panic attacks all the time, self-harming, no friends, it was awful.

I had a parent working at the school though, so most of the time I basically went and sat in the room they worked in to study, rather than go to lessons (obviously I appreciate not many students can do this). I also did my exams in a smaller room.

I think my anxiety resulted from a combination of factors, but in my case leaving my school definitely helped (I started sixth form there but dropped out). In the end I went to university, sat exams with everybody else in the halls no problem and got a First. I also took a language exam in May this year, because that's what I do for fun now!

I don't really have any helpful advice, these things can be very individual, for example I hated being taken to counselling and refused to speak to them, but I know that might be a really helpful option for other people. Plus I don’t even know what schools are like now. But I hope things get better for your daughter.

Chicken this isn't just any child requesting access arrangements, this is a child with a demonstrable need for adjustments on account of their SEN. A pupil whose anxiety is severe enough to have prevented them from attending lessons, and who is awaiting an ASD assessment. The school should be aware which students, such as OP's DD, have been identified as having SEN and need access arrangements and those who are trying it on. It is worry if the school doesn't.

OP, extra time sounds like it would help DD. A laptop might help too, sometimes DC find it easier because they don't have to think about the physical act of writing as well as the content and they can edit their work and arrange their thoughts more easily. Do apply for an EHCNA, too.

Just to add to my previous comments, being roomed separately is a school issue rather than an exam board issue. I'm pretty sure that the students didn't have to bring in letters for that. It was more like it was confirmed by the teachers who observed ongoing problems.
If you want prompts or extra time or extra time, I'm unsure what would be required for that although permission from the exam board is needed.
I would approach either the person who authorised her walks or the exam officer. And I advise you to do it now and not leave it til later in the year. It does create paperwork and so it needs to be done during the less busy times of year. I promise you variations of your daughter's problems are seen every year so the exam officer will be able to advise you without any difficulty.

My dd is like this.

With a doctors letter she now can be roomed in a smaller room during exams.

She is seeing a counsellor and l intend to try for special consideration as she has struggled with anxiety throughout the whole of Covid. She couldn’t cope with Teams lessons

ArseInTheCoOpWindow Unfortunately, for exams, special consideration isn't given for chronic conditions unless there is an exacerbation around the time of exams or it exacerbates another issue at the time of the assessment, so sadly anxiety, or any other condition, now or during lockdowns won't qualify. Here is the guidance.

However, rest breaks &/or extra time may help DD.

Thank you everyone- lots to look into.