Dropping back a year

Hello, my child in yr 12 has mental health challenges at the moment and would like to take time to sort them then restart this year, year 12, at the same school in September.Can students choose to do that? Do schools support it? Do students have the right so to do? Any advice or experience gratefully received.

Get a Gps letter and recommendation. It should state what they have been diagnosed with and likely impact on studies plus if they will say so say it would be a good idea if they took some time to sort out their MH and a suspension of studies/ fresh start would allow them to do that. Liaise with the GP and the school counsellor/ head of sixth and you can get an idea what they will give or want. If they have a form teacher or a teacher who looks after those with mh or one they trust and have a good relationship with then get them involved.

The aim is to do your research, work out what you want and why, then sound out the school before asking for it and giving them what they want.
If there are good medical reasons and you present it properly, then I would think your chances are decent. helps if they know your child to have been a good student. See how you get on.

Thank you tigger. My child has had full attendance until now, is generally v much liked by teachers and got 11x grade 8/9 at GCSE last year. Just has a problem with perfectionism, anxiety, OCD, etc.

Do you know of anyone who has done this?

Get the doctors note and emphasise the anxiety plus how it affects their studies. Have they been performing poorly? Why do you think it is needed? Are they under medication or counselling via the GP, os the GP supportive and aware? Do they need or have a sen teacher?
It may be viewed as a good idea or it may be over the top. You must have reasons why you wish to ask for it i.e some sort of meltdown.

Thank you tigger. My child has had full attendance until now, is generally v much liked by teachers and got 11x grade 8/9 at GCSE last year. Just has a problem with perfectionism, anxiety, OCD, etc.

Do you know of anyone who has done this?

Hello, my child in yr 12 has mental health challenges at the moment and would like to take time to sort them then restart this year, year 12, at the same school in September.Can students choose to do that? Do schools support it? Do students have the right so to do? Any advice or experience gratefully received.

Hi there. I am not entirely familiar with the British education system, but I do have quite a bit of experience dealing with these issues throughout secondary school and university, especially with taking time off. I’d love to help if you need any advice on how to cope with this from the child’s perspective. Just send me a pm.

It is definitely possible because two girls in the year above at my school moved to our year to retake year 12. It was hugely beneficial for them as they could take the time to recuperate and they knew what to expect in year 12 so were very on top of their work and performed excellently throughout the year. It also hasn’t affected them in any way with regards to university applications if that is a concern of yours.

Oh wow, how very encouraging thank you. From what were they recuperating and what sort of school was it, as in local, grammar, academy, private?
Thank you!

It depends on the school but as someone who has experienced mental health difficultes similar to your son in y12 and who is now in year 13 I can say the perhaps it isn't the best idea to allow him to take a year out. the more time you spend away from school the less likely it is that you return.
Perhaps it would be more helpful he received therapy or medication but continue to attend. I mean it was definitely a struggle for me to do attend during year 12 but I did persevere and I've now got an offer to study at Leeds for law.

I’m not entirely sure what exactly it is they were struggling with as I have not asked them explicitly and they don’t really like to talk about it but I do know that they were both struggling with mental health issues. It is a private school and one of the girls is on a bursary. However, I do have friends from other schools who have also dropped back a year (also due to mental health) and one goes to a state school and another a grammar school so it’s definitely possible in non-private schools as well.

Thanks Tigger. Yes we've been through the local children's mental health programme. We've spoken with the doctors about anxiety and counselling. My child has had three weeks off school as it's now grown from anxiety, OCD to pretty much Agoraphobia. We've spoken with school about home study but now think my child needs time out to focus on self esteem, anxiety, quality counselling etc.

Congratulations! That's very impressive. Thanks for your wise words. That's a good point and one which we will be aware of. We plan to very much stay connected with school even if taking 6 months off.

Hi there Iasanwil, how very kind of you, when you say you are not v familiar with the British education system do you mean you were or are being educated abroad? Thanks v much for your kind and generous offer which I will put to my child.

More medical backing and seriously you seem to be taking it by having a detailed plan, then the more serious the school will take it.
How were their grades?
Also dyring the time off make sure they were doing the right subjects.
Anxiety / depression and self esteem are very common problems on TSR. MY absolute preference is that they are sorted out sooner rather than later. Those issues wreck many a degree. It will be at the discretion of the school, just take it seriously as I said and that will give you the best chance of them saying yes. If they say no, then your nuclear button is to withdraw and find another school to start year 12 in. It sounds like you have good relations and they are a valued pupil, so I would be optimistic. Make it easy for them to say yes.

I’ve only been educated in a “British-style” system in primary and post-grad. Secondary school in the US. However, I do know it was always an option in those systems to be able to take time off if the student needs it (especially if this is endorsed by a medical professional!).

Thank you. Grades were 11 at level 9/8 at GCSE last year and top of class at very competitive local grammar until became too much as anxiety, depression and agoraphobia grew. Hope school say yes. Will get note from doctor and councillor too. Could you tell me more about how one can withdraw if they don't allow the time out please?

Thank you. Grades were 11 at level 9/8 at GCSE last year and top of class at very competitive local grammar until became too much as anxiety, depression and agoraphobia grew. Hope school say yes. Will get note from doctor and councillor too. Could you tell me more about how one can withdraw if they don't allow the time out please?