Ehcp and Sixth Form

[joe3]

Hi all ,
My DD has Ehcp plan and has missed her grade 4 in English lang by few Marks , but has scored grade 6 in the subject she wants at Alevels. But the school has refused to take her . She is soo upset and having anxiety to go to college it is too overwhelming for her we are worried it will impact her health and her learning , as she made so much progress in her current school.

will school offer her a place in january if she passes Eng in Nov and meets the entry requirements as they seem to maintain their wait list for sixth form external students till dec 31st.

she wants to go back to her current sixth form as she loves the teachers and all her friends and she struggles to make friendship and has Anxiety in new learning environment. Please advise ..

A levels are so much more intense than GCSE and many 6th forms will only accept 7 and above in the subjects the student wants to study. It would also be very difficult to catch up with the content of the first term and everyone will have established themselves in the subjects. What’s the plan if she misses the level 4 on resit.

Does she have any other plans? Perhaps a different course would be a better fit than A level. What support is detailed in the EHCP?

Are you sure A levels are the right route for DD? Even more so for subjects that require extended written answers.

Moving in January would not be a good idea. Even if DD doesn’t have the same subjects, there may be different boards. Depending on the subjects, even within the same boards, there may be different options. And things may be taught in different orders.

What placement is named in section I of the EHCP? Although the naming of a placement and the course(s) are different things. Being admitted to the institution doesn’t necessarily equal being admitted to the course(s) DD wants. If the school is named in section I, have they requested an early review (where they may try to argue the setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs)?

The sixth form which she studied GCSE is named in the EHCP but they are refusing to take her since she didnot get grade 4 in english she has missed only by few marks( she was unwell on the day of exam ), her English teacher saw it and said she will pass it in nov. College is giving her anxiety .so not sure what to do . I am thinking if she can private tution and pass Gcse English . Can we reapply in January or atleast next september to the same sixth form ? Is that a possibiltity? Or will they refuse that she is older Please advise.

I think that’s something you would need to ask the school. If she were to go to the sixth form next September, her friends would be in the year above. Would that be a problem?

I think it would be an idea to request a review of the EHCP and look at options for courses that are less intense than A level. It would be upsetting for your DD to struggle with A level, if there were other courses she could be successful at.

She has to resit English anyway to reach a level 4.

If DD was unwell during the exam, was special consideration requested?

If the school is named in section I and is not wholly independent, they must admit to the institution (not the same thing as admit to specific courses). They could request an early review if they want to. It very rarely happens but they could, in theory, seek the Secretary of State’s determination or look at JR.

At this year’s AR, DD could request the school is named and attend sixth form next September. Although this outcome wouldn’t be guaranteed. If the school isn’t wholly independent, the school can be named even if they object, but the LA may refuse - most likely trying to use the unsuitable exception. Forcing an appeal.

However, English GCSE wouldn’t be considered full-time this academic year. What else would be the plan? Also be aware, LAs often act unlawfully with trying to unlawfully cease to maintain post 16 EHCPs. You would be able to challenge this but it is something you need to be aware of.

I would be wary of A levels even next September. A levels are a big step up. With GCSE grades 3-6 that is a big ask.

What MH support is in DD’s EHCP?

she wants to do 1 A level( Coursework) and 1 level 3 btech extended which accounts to 2 A levels which is all coursework and no exams which she is good at. So I think she will be fine in Sixth form given the opportunity , just on the day of english exam she had fever and was not in the best of herself which affected( but unfortunately I didn’t inform the school ). She has language disorder so she got 30 hr of support durning school week. She just want to be in same school and the school knows she works very hard and well liked by all teachers . Can i approach the school or should ask LA to ask the school ? Their entry criteria for the courses she wanted was english language 4 and she didn’t meet it . So they refused and diidnot
really offer any kind of support. If she passes in November will they offer a place in next september though she will be 19 when she in year 13 Summer exam time .

Yes the school is not independent but belong to a academy .

Aren’t level 3 extended diplomas equivalent to 3 A levels? It is the diplomas that are equivalent to 2 A levels.

Is the A level with the NEA one that involves extended writing? That will be difficult with a GCSE grade 3 even if DD was expected to achieve a 4.

For this year, if the school won’t admit (to the institution) you need to remind the school they are named in the EHCP and therefore must admit. However, this doesn’t mean they have to admit to DD’s preferred courses. Although, as I said, they may request an early review &/or challenge the decision. You should also speak to the LA. However, I would still be cautious of an A level and level 3 BTEC.

If DD wants to pursue a place for next year, you need an early review to discuss options for this year. You can then discuss placement for next September as well. If DD attends another institution this year and will move back to the school, the EHCP for that transfer needs to be finalised by 31st March at the latest. It won’t matter DD would be 19 in Y13. However, again, I still think you need to be cautious with an A level and BTEC.

If there’s no MH support in the EHCP, you need to look at that too. Same for support with interaction, communicating and socialising.

Yes it is diplomas which equals to 2 levels not 3 and one A level whixb is course work she has already done it gcse and got b . Her teachers thinks she will be fine , she would be happy to have her back as she always encouraged her to do it for Alevel too .

What is secretary of state detemination ? Never heard of it ? How does it work ? Is it something that we could pursue ?

No, you can’t. The school (well, most academies can) could, in theory, ask the Secretary of State to determine if they should have been named in I. It very rarely happens. They must also still admit in the meantime and the decision is still subject to appeal.

Oh ok thanks ,when I spoke to the case worker she said the school has said that child doesnot meet the entry Criteria and therefore that can’t offer a place and she said there is also one more child in this school who is also same postition as my DD with EHCP and school has refused her as well .

should I call the LA tomorrow and tell them to have a early review and name this school for next year ?
so she can be transferred next Sep ?Her friends are not doing the same course so she doesn’t mind . All she wants is study in familar environment which is close to home which will help and calm her nerves and Anxiety which will help her progress .

The institution is named in section I, so they have to admit to the institution. That doesn’t mean admit to DD’s preferred course, though. However, the school may request an early review to pursue the unsuitable line &/or challenge the decision. If DD isn’t going to start at the school this month, you need an early review. This is primarily to ensure there is a plan for this academic year. You/DD can request an early review from the LA. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use. During the review process, you/DD can raise next year. If DD is going to attend elsewhere this year and then move to the school next September, the EHCP for that will need to be finalised by 31st March.