Looking for info on flexi schooling

[SuperSue77]

Just wondered if anyone had got their child’s secondary school to agree to this at secondary and if it worked? My year 7 ASD/ADHD son is finding it tough but doesn’t want to be out of school either - just wondered if this might be a better solution to maintain his MH and stamina for school. No EHCP and haven’t got the energy to fight for one since our request to assess was refused. He’s really bright, just struggles with how overwhelming a 1000+ secondary school is.

One of my children has been flexi-schooled throughout secondary, with the 2 days a week out of school classed as Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS). The Local Authority therefore have a duty to provide other appropriate educational activities during those days - we have a mix of sport and more academic tutoring, but it can be anything deemed useful for the child.

You will need an EHCP first though, because this flexible provision is unusual even with one securely in place for many years.

EHCP support thread - www.mumsnet.com/talk/special_educational_needs/4834986-ehcp-support-thread

I hear what you're saying about time and energy!

I've had to step down from a charity board position that was easily compatible with my PT teaching job because I just couldn't do it along with the giant pile'o SEN paperwork.

I have also completely changed my mind on what school is for.

As a classroom teacher, you are absolutely doing the right thing providing the laptop, messaging individual teachers etc. SENCOs are absolutely overwhelmed everywhere (although they could be trying a bit harder with a year 7, but anyway).

I always appreciate it when parents get involved like that.

Have you got the book "Smart But Scattered"? I found it quite useful.

As an after thought I thought I probably should have posted this in an SEN thread rather than Secondary, but actually I’ve had some really helpful advice so far, so thanks everyone for commenting.

This report is so comforting! It’s as though someone has met my son and understood him and written about how his needs could be best met while remaining in mainstream. I’ve not got time to read it in full yet - only read the intro so far, but it looks anazing!

The SEN threads can be a bit tumbleweed-y.

It is important not to confuse flexi-schooling and part time school/part time provision otherwise than at school made by the LA; they aren’t the same thing.

Send another request for assessment. An awful lot of local authorities say no automatically precisely to weed out people who won't fight it further - but of those who appeal against the refusal, 95% win or have the appeal conceded by the LA. It requires very little energy: all you have to prove is that your child has or may have SEN, and that he may need support via an EHCP.

That NASEN report's really interesting!

I'll see if I can get my Head to read it.

Apologies , hope I didn't confuse the issue by mentioning PT timetables. I meant as a temporary / stopgap while other options are explores. I do think as others say that reapplying for EHCP needs to be a priority as flexi can be (shouldn't be, but is) a tough sell to headteachers at the best of times. I'm really glad I found this thread as.loads of interesting info here.

It has been a really good discussion, have learned quite a few things, always useful! Thanks everyone and especially @SuperSue77 for starting the thread.

As a SEN parent I would have gone mad a long time ago were it not for FB groups and MN sharing their expertise at navigating the systems and getting the best possible for DS. He's in a placement that suits his needs and is broadly happy (even though he can't wait to leave school, but I'd say that's a fairly normal yearning to be 'free' and not SEND related).

I just wouldn't have got here without the help and advice found within the SEN parent/teacher community. Never under estimate how much you help one another.

@SuperSue77I hope you get to where you want your son to be.

Its hard work but worth it. @Phineyj I hear you about piles of paperwork. We need a new cupboard for ours, its taking over the living room.

NASEN are great and have free CPD online for parents/educators/teachers.

I'm going to look at doing one of these myself.

https://nasen.org.uk/events

@Alltheyearround I have written a covering letter to my son’s Head and just working on the proposal for a suggested one day a week from home. The review you shared has been invaluable, and I’ve found some other resources too and joined a Facebook group for it too! If the Head agrees this will give my son some much needed respite without the 2 yr wait for an EHCP which is likely to be less than adequate anyway (based on all the appeals I see parents making due to their child’s EHCP not providing the support they actually need).

@SuperSue77 there is a Facebook group dedicated to flexischooling (has list of schools that allow flexi schooling as well as information on criteria etc), it's called flexischooling families uk, might be worth a look.

Good luck @SuperSue77. Fingers crossed for you and your son.

Well done for being such a good advocate for him.

Perhaps not many people tell you this, as most of the people you deal with see you as a 'problem'. It takes courage to keep going in spite of this, so well done.
I'm sure you'll look back on this in years to come and feel satisfied that you did everything you could to protect his MH and wellbeing - which is something so precious and sadly often slips through the gaps within the school system.

Let us know how you go on.

@Alltheyearround hello, thought I’d update you! School have received the request and my husband and I met with the Assistant Head last Friday. They are really supportive! Even suggested an extra half day on a Friday that we hadn’t asked for! We’re hoping to get it agreed for start back in January. They’d not heard of flexi-schooling before but took everything we had to say on board and are keen to make it work for our son’s benefit. I think they too see the issues, as fortunately he doesn’t mask too much at school, so they can see where he is struggling.
The article you shared was so helpful. @WantToChangeUsername thank you for suggesting the Facebook group - I am
now a member and that has been really helpful too.

That's really positive news, well done!

Fantastic. You went in well prepared, and have done a great job as advocates - well done!

I always say if you don't ask, you don't get.

Sometimes it can take a hell of a lot of asking, but in this case it seems you have cracked it! Wonderful news for your son. And maybe, just maybe, this is how things change in the longer term for many more families like yours.

@SuperSue77 that's brilliant news!