Applying for college for teenage son

Hi, my son is currently in Year 11 and has Aspergers, which was diagnosed in Year 7. He has struggled emotionally throughout secondary school with anxiety and depression and is often absent as a result of this. His attendance currently stands at 63%. It's been and remains to be tough. Although he's academically quite bright and is in the higher sets for all his subjects, as you'd imagine, his grades have really slipped due to his attendance issues and I'm worried about his impending GCSE's and how he will cope - or if he will be able to sit them at all.

We're currently applying for college courses but they all stipulate that the minimum entry requirements are minimum 4 GCSE's minimum Grade 4. I'm fearful that he won't achieve this, as his school have decided to wait until now to tell me how low his current predicted grades have become, despite me being in regular contact with them via the SENCO.

Is there anything in place besides an EHC (not enough time to apply) to help us gain a place on his chosen vocational college course even if he doesn't get the required grades? I'm so worried for him and I know he feels immense pressure which is causing him more anxiety and shutdowns!

Many thanks Relaxed

  • Our son is in year 11 too, he attends an online High School because mainstream was literally destroying him! I wasn't happy with what the LEA would provide as I work in outreach so I know they max they get is 15hrs a week and he is academically bright, he's just super sensory affected and anxious.

    I am hoping to get him to have a look at some 6th forms but failing that I am probably going to pay out for him to attend this online school's sixth form for his A Levels. Although that's entirely his choice.

    We also have a technical college in our area so they can take Level 1 qualifications and work their way up and they only ask for a Grade 2 in English Language and Maths if I'm remembering correctly.

  • Hi, I’m afraid I don’t have any advice as just going through that too. I just wanted to say my daughter has been in the same completely awful boat. My daughter has not been officially diagnosed yet and it’s been a complete mess the whole experience. Totally painful. My daughter did GCSEs this year and came out with a mix of 3/4/5s, was going to do A Levels but the pressure has been too much and a lack of support has meant she’s doing a level 2 - but at least she’s managing to keep fairly calm and putting on the weight she’s lost over the past 5 years.... I wish you and your son the very best. Keep going. I’ll pray for you both :) xxx

  • Certainly in my area there were sixth forms and colleges that allow for students with a 3 or sometimes below in English and Maths to apply with the idea that they then work towards retaking those GCSEs during that year. That was certainly the case for several friends of mine including one who ended up taking the maths exam 4 times before she got a 4 while getting two Bs and and A in Politics, English Literature and History A-Levels

    See if any of the nearby colleges offer systems like this