GCSEs at home?

[Dancer44]

My son is nearing the end of year 10. He was always sociable at primary but has struggled to make friends at secondary. I hadn't realised how lonely he is. He does well academically and enjoys music, and is self motivated to learn, but unhappy at school. We have thought about letting him finish GCSEs at home with us (we both have teaching background but primary). Any thoughts?

Sounds like very hard work for what is a relatively short period. He’s gave yo dit the exams as a private candidate which is a nightmare-especially for any subjects with cw. I’d support him but try and keep him in schoo.

This is my dd - she really struggles with anxiety, not helped by teen girls general behaviour towards each other.
We considered taking her out (she is in year 10) but have come up an arrangement with school that she attends some lessons everyday, works from home the rest of the time and can be out of school for lunchtimes and tutorial, when she would be most isolated.
It's only been a week or so of trying this and it seems to be working out okay for the most part - not as good as her being in school full time but it does mean her exams are still under school conditions, which is better.

If he's ok to keep going in, I'd do that. Y11 is so short.

I changed schools for my DD who became very unhappy in Yr 10

We decided she should stick it out as it was mid GCSE

She became more unhappy in Yr 11 so I moved her to another secondary school in the first term

Best thing I ever did for her

Make the change now so your DS gets a fresh start in Yr 11

DD had to drop a couple of subjects and start new ones and others had been taught in a different sequence but nevertheless it worked out

Honestly I can't tell you what a difference it made

A year is a long time and doesn't fly by if you're having a shitty time

She wasn't the only child to move school actually at that point

Just call the council, fill in the forms and get it sorted to start in Sept

Get the ball rolling now - you can always change your mind but get that option ball rolling asap

Sounds like your son would benefit from doing GCSEs from home. They don’t all have coursework by any means. Google “home Ed exams wiki” for loads of info on taking exams as a private candidate.

My first point of call would be his current school, see if they would let him sit the exams there if he's homeschooled, or possibly look at part time most schools offer this in some circumstances. If his mental health is at risk do what your heart tells you. Good luck!

Fair point. I mean we're moving my Y10 DD now. She'll be retaking Y10 but still. I hear you though, however it depends why he's lonely too. It may be really stressful moving now and may not help.

Try a move and if that doesn't work then home school

That's what I would do

Thank you so much, I feel better already with knowing other people are out there. Helpful responses thank you.

Ex exams officer here. If your son is homeschooled you’ll need to find an exam centre that’ll agree to take him as a ‘external candidate’ for his exams and you’ll have to pay for them. Typically £2-300 per student per set of GCSE’s (subject and board depending).

My school did not accept external candidates and many don’t. So please be aware his current school might not accept him as an external candidate.

You’d be best to speak to school and the exams officer first.