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

Parents
  • 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

Reply
  • 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

Children
No Data