Dropping an A level

[shreddies]

Hallo

Has anyone ever persuaded a mainstream school that their child should drop an A level? My clever autistic son is really struggling with anxiety - he has just started year 13. He has an EHCP. I think just doing two A levels could really help, not least because the third A level is taught across two sites.

I just don't know if his school will go for it or if it is reasonable to ask

Not reached A-level yet but my autistic son was suffering from anxiety in Y8 and I asked for a reduced timetable (as he was often coming home so exhausted he couldn't speak). This was initially denied by school.

He is under CAMHS and the psychologist wrote to his school suggesting several measures to address anxiety:

1. Somewhere to wait until school starts to avoid unstructured time at dropoff
2. Quiet room to eat lunch outside of the canteen (too busy/noisy)
3. Reduced timetable to allow for rest breaks during the day.

The school were willing to accommodate all these on the basis that a professional recommended them. My son is now Y9 and is doing so much better.

I realise this doesn't answer your question on A-levels but school should definitely be providing accomodations for your DS. Is the EHCP being followed?

He has quite a light timetable anyway as A levels involve lots of independent study. I am not sure what more they can do tbh, so this was my last resort

This will be easier with an EHCP than without because of the 16-19 funding rules. Definitely ask. If the school doesn’t agree, you could request an early review of the EHCP to seek to include it (and therapeutic support for DS’s anxiety) in there.

Thank you. I just requested a review today, really helpful to think through what it should include

I know you really have to think about his MH and that has to be priority but there's not that long left now and he's already done over a year of all three subjects so it seems a shame for him to drop one. Have you discussed it with him? Does he think it's a good idea and that it would help him? Would he still be able to do whatever it is he wants to do after A-levels? There are already a lot of free periods with A-levels so are you sure dropping a subject would definitely help his anxiety?

I think I would be looking to address the anxiety itself with a dr's appointment, medication and perhaps CBT. The anxiety won't necessarily stop when A-levels stop, the steps after A-levels can be hugely stressful too. What does he struggle with about the two sites issue? How does he get from one to the other? Is there anything that can be put in place to help him cope with it more easily?

If he needs to just do 2 though then hopefully school will appreciate that and understand his situation - but I don't know if they would get funding if he wasn't a fulltime student. Not sure when the data goes in though so if they've already got the funding then they might be able to do it. The best thing to do IMO is to talk to him, talk to the dr and talk to school.

What provision, including therapeutic support/therapies, is currently in F?

Molly546 OP’s DS can still be funded with 2 A levels because he has an EHCP. He could also do 2 A levels this year and the other next year.

Section F includes quiet spaces, help with organisation, sensory breaks, support with any changes, regular pastoral slot.

He moved from a specialist school into mainstream. It is fairly generic, there was no EP involvement at that point. I was unwell and didn't push for it.

It definitely sounds like F needs improving whether DC sticks with 3 A levels or drops to 2.

Yes definitely. Do you think it is realistic to do that without professional input?

Provision in F is taken from the evidence, so you will need evidence. However, I would just go through with the early review (if the LA agrees to one. They don’t have to.) then appeal and seek independent assessments if needed. This is because a reassessment of needs would just add to the timescales when you will probably have to appeal and seek independent assessments, anyway.

It is worth doing even in Y13 because it sounds like DS is going to need provision made via the EHCP beyond the end of this academic year and EHCPs can last until 25, or 26 in some circumstances.

Thanks, really helpful. Any insight into assessments for young people over 18?

Assessments can happen for DC 18+ in the same way as they can for younger children/young people. Look at ed psych, OT and SALT. Because DS is 18, if you need to appeal, he can be assessed for legal aid in his own right rather than based on your finances. Legal aid can fund independent assessments if they are necessary.

Thanks, that's really helpful