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
  • 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

Reply
  • 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

Children
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