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View Full Version : A new glimmer of hope!


beadsbydesign
07-11-2007, 07:44 PM
for those who don't know, my eldest son is 16 and dyslexic. he receives a lot of help from school and has one to one help in class for his writing and reading. He's really come a long way. Just before he started senior school he was barely writing. he is in his final year of GCSE's but really we didn't ever expect him to get any. we had begun to look at him leaving school this next summer and had been investigating aprenticeships and college courses although we didn't really want him to leave school but it seemed as though there was no alternative as it was felt that non of the a levels were suitable for his disability.
Well tonight we have been to school for the parents evening (we only discovered that it was on at 4 o clock when joe came in and handed us a piece of paper with some appointments on it!)
The first teacher we saw was joes IT teacher who has completely turned our lives upside down. He said "I'd like Joe to do a double IT Alevel next..... WHAT?????.....it turns out that he thinks Joe is capable amd could do photography, art or textiles as his other subject. He needs 5 C's at a level (which he may well get) and then his teacher said if he wanted to do an IT degree he'd be able to do it locally guaranteed entry because of an agreement between the local college and the school.
I am finding this all so hard to take in. It's all I could wish for. I never felt that Joe was ready to leave school yet and with this IT teacher championing him it seems he might not have to. I have his annual statement review on the twenty ninth of this month and I'm battling down the hatches for a fight!

swirlyarts
07-11-2007, 08:26 PM
Yay!! That's wonderful news - can't type more as having a curry but yeay!!!!!

nattynetty
07-11-2007, 08:28 PM
That's fantastic news BBD, sounds like you've got a good school there. I used to work in 2 upper schools (Colourart may be able to figure out which ones) and one had a fantastic special needs department where they were really student focused and worked to each individual pupil's strengths. The other didn't even have a qualified SENCO running the department - I remember going along to one statement review and he didn't have a clue what he was doing, the parent and I had to guide him through the process (oh and he didn't even know what Year the poor girl was in :mad:) I felt so sorry for the kids at that school they were so disadvantaged by it all in comparison.

Anyway, with my old careers adviser hat on I would suggest Joe also applies for a course at college that requires slightly less than the 5 C's as a back up and possible keep an eye out for apprenticeships too if that might interest him. By having a fall-back plan it often takes the all-or-nothing pressure off (especially for 'borderline' students) and they actual perform better in their GCSEs and get the necessary grades - it's amazing how stressful even the most laid back Yr11 can get.

Sorry, hope you don't think I'm telling you what to do with your own son and I'm sure his careers adviser will be at the review anyway.

Tip Top
07-11-2007, 09:38 PM
Great news - you sound really really chuffed!!:mf:

incywincy
07-11-2007, 10:27 PM
That's brilliant news :p

Agree with NN though, keep his options open, many things can change with the pressure of Yr 11 exams/mock exams, coursework deadlines etc ... and its still early days.

... But it sounds like he has a lot of support, which is the best thing for him ;)

X

What subject did you teach Natty Netty?

candles by lisa
08-11-2007, 08:10 AM
Ow that's great news - like you say you have hope where there wasn't any before - Joes options have got a whole lot bigger with one parent teacher meeting.

All the very best for Joe.

Cheers.

Lisa

:D

Debeadz
08-11-2007, 08:42 AM
That's really great news! :D

My sister struggled through school and was only diagnosed with dyslexia when she was at university!!! School just thought she was lazy!

She proved them all wrong though and got a degree and is now a primary school teacher.

It just shows that everyone is capable of something.

Good luck to Joe with his exams and the future :D

craftdancer
08-11-2007, 08:56 AM
Woooooooooo! Hoooooooooooooo!

You go Joe!

:-)
Linda

Rodeo Lady
08-11-2007, 10:02 AM
Fantastic news about your son . You must be so proud. It sounds like the teacher is really there for him.

We all have skills it's just so sad when their not reconized. Thankfully it sounds like his are.

Well done Joe and well done you.

Cheers Janice.