Anyone any advice or help regarding this??
My two 17 year old twins have been excluded from school, permanently, following being caught tipsy on cider on the last day of term. One has a diagnosis of PDD and the other has been through CAMHS but not formally assessed for autism (highly suspected by anyone who has ever taught him). The college have never put support in place and have as much admitted this. There is a nice tutor who recognised the problems but her superiors never followed it through, plus a fab politics teacher who has also raised concern re lack of support for autistic needs.
The college has a 'zero tolerance' policy towards students being under the influence of alcohol, and are using this as the reason for the exclusion. The incident happened on the 10th July. Both boys admitted to what they had done and were sincerely repentant. They wrote letters of apology to the college. We had a hearing this Wednesday which was led by a rather aggressive woman who doesn't know my boys. I handed over SEND docs and they were photocopied, but no real acknowledgement seemed to take place. Certainly didn't make any difference. My boys were truthful and honest, bags of integrity and did themselves proud. But the ruling still came back of exclusion. I am now preparing an appeal but despite loads of chats with various groups, feel scared and lost. I am angry beyond belief that after one (pretty minor) offence, the college are kicking the boys out. This whole business has really devastated them. Once again, we have been let down by the education system.
Any advice, words of kindness, signposting gratefully received. xx
