DS1 who is in Year 10 has recently been diagnosed with dyslexia and APD (separate assessments by different assessors). Both assessors said he will need extra time as he has really slow cognitive processing speeds. School have not noticed any indicators of need (we have) as he ahs always been a high achiever. We had him assessed privately as he was complaining of running out of time, had organisational problems and failure to meet targets in some areas. He meets JCQ current criteria for extra time as long as school can paint a picture of need. There is evidence that complies with JCQ regulations that can be taken from school data and reports, however school will not record it saying he definitely has no need of extra time.
He has just done his mocks and failed to finish a number of papers so although he did well on the questions he had time to answer, he failed to meet his target grade because he had not finished. (In fact he was two grades below his class level). He also sat a Science GCSE this year and failed to finish meaning there were approximately 20 marks he could not access. JCQ regs give clear guidance on what to do to collect evidence in cases of late diagnosis and no prior evidence of need but school say they won't follow it as they have a high reputation with JCQ for submitting the maximum of evidence and wouldn't compromise the intergrity of the centre by submitting less, even if it does comply with regulations.
We have written letters of concern to the head and LEA. LEA haven't responded (yet) and head just ignores all questions, requests for info and meetings saying he is satisfied the correct procedures have been followed. We feel ds's whole future will be affected if they don't remove his disadvantage by recording and submitting the evidence they have or trialling extra time as JCQ regs suggest. School are refusing to budge. MP has requested that LEA do their own assessment but time is ticking away and school become academy in September (and Head retires).
My question is: what is my best chance of getting ds extra time/school LEA to relent? I think we would have a good case for LGO as school are clearly not following the correct procedures. However, once school becomes an academy it looks like this isn't an option. We haven't formally complained yet, just written to express concern. Having looked at the Equality Act 2010, DS's situation/symptoms are also described in a number of paragraphs and, if he cannot complete exam papers as his peers can, it would seem clear that his difficulty is causing him to be disadvantaged and the school are not making reasonable adjustments. So is this a better route? (Assuming we can afford it!) And if it was decided that Ds wasn't being discriminated against, would it mean that he would have no chance of being given extra time to finish his exams in the future at sixth form/uni (assuming he managed to get that far without it!)
I get the feeling that the LEA are dragging their heels because once school becomes an academy, there is far less chance of us having any redress. I know the governors would look at any complaint but I assume they aren't necessarily objective. Any advice would be gratefully received. I feel completely at a loss as to which way would be the best way forward and time is ticking away!!