Specialist school or mainstream for a bright but highly unmotivated teen with ADHD?

[FunnyLilacTurtle]

Any advice whether better to go to independent school for ADHD students who struggle with discipline, attention etc. My son hates school and while bright is on track to fail most GCSEs. He would be able to pass if he did some work but is not interested in homework. He does attend most days but is late almost every day. He is also chatting and disrupting lessons and not doing the work he is supposed to.

Would this be better managed in a specialist school or is he best left in state mainstream?

I don’t think it is as simple as MS vs SS and/or independent vs state. It depends on the individual schools, DC’s individual needs and the support required.

Does DS have an EHCP?

If it is a wholly independent school, is the school willing to offer a place/be named in the EHCP?

It does sound like DS needs more support, have you spoken to the SENCO? If he has an EHCP, request an early review of the EHCP. If DS doesn’t have an EHCP, request an EHCNA.

Sometimes what looks like lack of motivation is actually overwhelm or disengagement after years of struggling in an environment that doesn’t fit how they process things.
Bright ADHD children can often look “lazy” or oppositional when they’re actually exhausted, anxious or constantly trying to compensate.
Personally I’d probably want to understand why he’s disengaging before making a big school move, because the right environment depends massively on what’s happening underneath the behaviour.