Year 9 Challenges - what to do?

[130323A]

Longtime user, have name changed for this. Sorry for the long back story, but don't want to drip feed and would really appreciate some advice.

DS is in Y9 at independent boarding school - he is a full boarder. Part of the reason we chose it is the amount of support they offer. He is very happy and settled - in fact he loves it and has made some wonderful friends.

He has quite a few additional needs - medical and learning support. Getting his meds and supplements taken regularly twice a day is a real struggle. His meds are morning (5 things) and evening (two things). It sounds a lot but at home this takes 5 mins morning and night, tops. It also worked well at his weekly boarding school.

We have tried so many things to make this easier for school / him to remember, but he is still missing c. 1/3 of the time. I know this because they are bagged up for each day (morning and night bag) and that is what has been coming home with him.

We've also been struggling with GCSE choices are he is not academic and is only going to sit six GCSE. He has to take Double Science, which will be 1/3 of his total. I feel this puts him under quite a lot of pressure with the sciences.

His school give him a lot of support (they have a helpful learning support department) and have also arranged for him to do an intensive reading support programme which we pay an extra . This is 3 x 50 sessions per week after school.

Looking at his report (lots of grade 2-4s), school work and talking to him, he is struggling with feeling a bit overwhelmed. He feels that he has far more to do than anyone else. We have done quite a lot over the holidays together but it has been slow and heavy going. I feel we haven't managed to consolidate as much as I would like.

The school have asked us to arrange an ADD assessment as he seems to struggle with focus and memory - that he is hard working, but just finds it difficult. Assessment is taking place at half term and I assume a diagnosis will mean more meds. I am not happy about him taking these if it's not going to be consistent.

We're becoming increasingly nervous about GCSE programme starting next term and how he's going to cope with everything.

Would these issues be red flags to other parents? Or are they just part of bedding into new school and the shift towards personal responsibility?

Any advice would be really appreciated. Can anyone else share any experience of how their DC who had learning support fared with GCSE programme? Whether they get more into the swing of independent work?

We are wondering if we should move him to a school nearer home where he can either be a day pupil or weekly board. That way having more support from us. The schools around us are mainly more academic, but I am sure we could find something.

I know I need to talk to the school again about how we can get all these things happening, am I am bracing myself as everyone agrees and lots of positive emails fly around, but then it seems difficult to achieve consistently.

Sorry for the ramble.

maybe he is more BTEC material than GCSE?

I think I'd actually throw a fit at a school if they can't manage something as basic as my child's medication. That's extremely poor OP and that's coming from someone who has very realistic expectations of schools having worked in them.

Have you looked into a dyslexia school? There's brilliant ones if you're prepared to board.

Thank you both for your replies.

Re the medication, pleased to see that you feel the same way - I am fizzing about it. Also that he came home for Easter holidays with two Epipens which are out of date. He is registered with the local doctor near to school (which I am not keen either as don't even have the name of his GP) and I understood that they kept the meds up to date. If not, they should have told me and I would have found the info I needed and ordered them.

We will def look at boarding school's as we don't have much on offer locally (we live in a rural area) and quite often move due to DH's career.

@Nimbostratus100 I don't know much about BTech at GCSE level and will look into it.

My DD goes to a school for dyslexic children l. They take 7 GCSEs, two are art based. They are also taking functional skills in Maths, English and ICT - functional skills are great as they can be sat when the children are ready (don’t have to wait for exam period), a level 2 is GCSE pass equivalent which takes some pressure off GCSEs.

Wow @Bumpingaway that sounds amazing. Can I ask more about the school? Do PM me if very outing. 🙏

@130323A it’s one of the school listed here -
https://crested.org.uk/parents-schools-category-dsp.html
The website is really helpful and you may find a school near you.

@130323A I'm so sorry op. That's a really really huge safeguarding issue and really shouldn't happen. Ever.
My DD sounds similar to your son and is hopefully moving to a dyslexia school soon. We're just waiting for the LEA to finalise funding, we have the offer of a space but she has an EHCP and this is private so may be a while before it's all agreed. I would highly recommend it though. Our current school is incredible, couldn't ask for more but really DD loved school until GCSEs. She's a shell of herself now and after a 2 day trial at a dyslexia school, she was like a different child. We can't wait to move her. They also do 7-8 GCSEs, lots of vocational options for those that need them and just all around much better pastoral care. Instead of long breaks they have 5-10mins between each lesson. Study skills and mindfulness in the timetable. It's like a different world.
Have a look at Bredon if you're ok with boarding.

@Dodgeitornot I really hope you manage to get your funding in place and your daughter can take up her place - it sounds like a wonderful school and I suppose that's it - all about finding the right fit. I am going to have a look at Bredon. Thank you so much for your reply.

Thank you @Bumpingaway I am going to have a good look at this too. I see they have lots of different levels of support, so I need to work out how much DS will need. We hadn't thought of a specialist school before as DS coped at prep (just) and he doesn't have any behavioural issues. I am really excited about what you both say is on offer!!