Autism spectrum boy GCSE

[Cactus79]

One of my twin boys is on the autism spectrum. He is 14 years old and currently attends Treetop School. His teachers have told me that he is not being included in the GCSE track. His twin brother is in mainstream education and is preparing for GCSEs.

I understand that my son learns more slowly, but he is making progress. I strongly want him to have the opportunity to pursue GCSEs, even though the school has said it would be "difficult."

Is it possible to persuade the school to reconsider and include him on the GCSE pathway? Or do I need to seek support from external advisers or tutors who can guide and prepare him for GCSEs independently?

What alternative does the school offer?

I would speak to the school to understand why they have made the decision they have and what qualifications they will offer. It’s not possible to say if you will change their mind, but it will help both sides understand the other’s viewpoint. When did DS last have an ed psych assessment?

Even if the school offers DS GCSEs, IIRC I don’t think they normally offer a full complement of GCSEs.

I don't know about Treetop school but I know many autistic children who are home educated and taking GCSEs privately with help of tutors is definitely something that works very well for many. You then don't need to take them all at a certain time like in school. You can also choose GCSEs or level 2 qualifications that align with special interests from a much wider list than at most schools. Many take 1 or 2 GCSEs over 2 years at a time, so e.g. 2 from 13 to 15 and another 2 from 15 to 17. Also different exam boards have different topics and ways of grading, so e.g. some iGCSEs English boards allow for a high percentage of course work to be included in the grade, so it's worth looking at the specific courses and grading tables for each board and choosing the most suitable.