Yr 10 son struggling in school - too late too change?

[Fluffyblackcats]

My yr 10 son hates his school. He’s dyslexic and dyspraxic so school is really difficult work wise and he doesn’t have great friends or enjoy anything else about the school. At best he’ll probably scrape 5 or 6 passes (grade 4) at GCSE.
I guess I’m just wondering if anyone else has been in the same position
and has any advice. Is he better off sticking it out for another year and a half or is there a different way? Wondering if there are any better schools for him - not seen one yet - we’re in south west London. Homeschooling feels like it might be isolating for him and equally difficult work wise. Any thoughts appreciated

Too late not to, surely? 2 years is a bloomin long time to a child. Why wouldn't you give him another shot somewhere?

Personally if it were me I'd send them to a nice private for 2 years and suck up the cost on my mortgage. I can't afford private for the entire length of high school but already said that's what I will do if my son finds himself in that situation. You do what you've got to do for your kids.

Problem is that no private school is likely to accept a child mid-way through Y10.

If he's young for the year, could he potentially redo Y10 from September elsewhere?

I would look into putting him into a small private school with great pastoral care and small classes.
My dneph attended an independent school in Rochester Kent which had small classes and great pastoral care. However, this may be too far for you
Some private schools allow students to redo year 10. You need to do some research

Year 10 is a tricky time to move, gcse options and syllabus will differ. Could he take fewer subjects and focus on core to get to next stage. What learning support is available?

Sorry should have said he is at a smallish private school. Has a fantastic learning support teacher who he sees once a week. I help at home and she loaded between me and the other teachers which helps.

most private schools require entrance exams around us so he would struggle to get in somewhere else unless it was completely non selective

He’s taking 7 GCSE’s at present but thinking he might drop another one. The problem then is the free time at school and what he does with it

There's a place called Atelier 21 (I think) in Crawley that's really alternative but doesn't look completely anarchic. I haven't visited but it's one I'm keeping in the back of my mind should school get too much for my DC (who are both displaying school anxiety and refusal-tendencies in primary)

Do you think he'd like boarding, @Fluffyblackcats ? You might find some of the non-selective boarding schools have specialities in this, and are happier to have a child out of year. DD2 has just (september) gone to boarding school in year 10 and she's definitely with children who are much more than a year older than her - he could then have time to settle then take the GCSEs... ? Big step though -for both of you!

Thanks for the suggestions. Will have a look at the Crawley one as not a million miles away.

The idea of Boarding freaks me out slightly (not sure about him) but it would open up some different schools. @minisnowballs do you mind me asking where your daughter went?

@Fluffyblackcats I'll send you a message