Does anyone homeschool?

kafkathecat

Hi Yorkshire lass, I think your experience is probably different to the majority of home educators because of your son's illness. My son and I can be, and often are, out every single day seeing different people. Socialising has always been a priority for us but most activities are also educational. Saying that after almost 10 years I look forward to getting back to work and ds has become curious about school.
It isn't easy but I do know parents who are doing it because they couldn't get the school place they wanted. I hope things work out for you and your son and also for the op.

EllieA_3

Hi thanks for the advice everyone, i have spent a very very busy few days on the phone so i'll try to summarise.

First off i have been to the school i have been allocated, the school is just wrong for him, it's an arts and sports college and the force their students to sit 5 gcse's in art or sport subjects. Like so many kids on the ASD scale he's very logically minded, he loves maths/science and computers and can't stand getting messy, painting freaks him out totally so art is a subject likely to cause him issues no-matter where he go's.


Also the Ofsted report on the place is frankly a scary read, they are seriously under-performing in almost every area and their GCSE results are awful and have "known" disapline problems.


Honestly I’m struggling to find a single redeeming quality for the school. I know I can't be negative about my allocated school in my appeal, so right now im just trying ot focus on why my chosen school can give him what he needs rather than the bad.. but between you and me the bad is REALLY bad.

Right so back to the appeal, I’ve managed to gather quite a bit of evidence of my sons condition and my first port of call is the write a very grovelly letter to the LEA asking as humbly as possible if i can have my son re-assessed based on his disability.


This it's self won't get him into the school because all the spaces are allocated already, but it may bump him up the list so he can get a spot during the shuffling around that occurs at this time of year and avoid the appeal.

In the meantime I’m going to appeal and hope for the best, i've already had a letter off the advanced nurse who dealt with him and the Ed physiologist both outlining his issues and needs.


Unfortunately a statement would take too long to get and the doctor doesn’t think he’ll get it right now, because at the moment “he’s thriving” so that’s out of the window. However i was told that if he did slide backwards after starting the new school to come straight back, so thats reassuring. Honest!

Then as a last resort I’ve sent off for some home education material, i've had a couple of idea's about how to make it work, they arn't perfect but they are still better than the alternative, juvenile detention centre they are passing off as a school.

Thanks again for all the help im feeling more positive and less whiny now

bestpud

EllieA wrote: »

Hi thanks for the advice everyone, i have spent a very very busy few days on the phone so i'll try to summarise.

First off i have been to the school i have been allocated, the school is just wrong for him, it's an arts and sports college and the force their students to sit 5 gcse's in art or sport subjects. Like so many kids on the ASD scale he's very logically minded, he loves maths/science and computers and can't stand getting messy, painting freaks him out totally so art is a subject likely to cause him issues no-matter where he go's.


Also the Ofsted report on the place is frankly a scary read, they are seriously under-performing in almost every area and their GCSE results are awful and have "known" disapline problems.


Honestly I’m struggling to find a single redeeming quality for the school. I know I can't be negative about my allocated school in my appeal, so right now im just trying ot focus on why my chosen school can give him what he needs rather than the bad.. but between you and me the bad is REALLY bad.

Right so back to the appeal, I’ve managed to gather quite a bit of evidence of my sons condition and my first port of call is the write a very grovelly letter to the LEA asking as humbly as possible if i can have my son re-assessed based on his disability.


This it's self won't get him into the school because all the spaces are allocated already, but it may bump him up the list so he can get a spot during the shuffling around that occurs at this time of year and avoid the appeal.

In the meantime I’m going to appeal and hope for the best, i've already had a letter off the advanced nurse who dealt with him and the Ed physiologist both outlining his issues and needs.


Unfortunately a statement would take too long to get and the doctor doesn’t think he’ll get it right now, because at the moment “he’s thriving” so that’s out of the window. However i was told that if he did slide backwards after starting the new school to come straight back, so thats reassuring. Honest!

Then as a last resort I’ve sent off for some home education material, i've had a couple of idea's about how to make it work, they arn't perfect but they are still better than the alternative, juvenile detention centre they are passing off as a school.

Thanks again for all the help im feeling more positive and less whiny now

Glad you're feeling more positive, Ellie. Things always seem better when we feel we have options, don't they?

bigblackdog

I just read this whole thread and it truly illustrates how bad the education system is in the uk , you have a school that is totally innapropriate for your kid , and not much you can do apart from appeal / get certificates and then possibly home school .
Why are some schools rotten and other schools outstanding?
Its Insane :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

theshadow

hi,

please could you tell me or point in the direction on where to get things to start home education ie tests and work etc, or maybe websites that deal with this, would be great help as we have just took our 10 year old out of school as a last resort cos of constant bullying until resolved we "hope"

thanks v much in advance

kafkathecat

Hi Shadow
Education Otherwise and Home Education UK have lots of information on their websites and people you can contact. Education Otherwise also have a Yahoo group where you can ask questions. They have a helpline and if you join local groups and contacts. Don't rush into doing too much work, maybe go on a couple of museum trips and concentrate on things your son enjoys doing. There are some great educational websites out there but in my experience the best thing you can do is contact some local home educators and find out what they are doing, some areas have educational groups you can join. I hope this helps and if not that someone else will be along with info you need.