Deferring year 13 due to illness, college saying no

On behalf of my 17 year old daughter who has been living with chronic illnesses since age 12. The main symptoms are pain everywhere (using mobility aids as needed), extreme fatigue, blacking out, dizziness and digestive issues.
Since starting A-levels last year, her health has taken a major downturn. Despite this she managed excellent attendance and grades, even winning an award for her work.
However, since May half term her digestive issues have become very serious and she was hospitalised over the summer and has been placed on a feeding tube. She is awaiting many tests to find out what is going on and is at home on her tube.
She tried going into college (year 13) but her pain, fatigue and worry over what is wrong with her means she just comes home and sleeps, if she makes it in at all.
The college won't provide any recordings of lessons and just say to catch up when she can. She was an early applicant but she now feels there is no way she can continue this year in this state.
She has asked the college if she can defer a year. They said they don't offer this and her only choice would be withdraw and reapply for next year but her place would not be guaranteed. I don't see how they can do this as she already got in to the college and has proved herself an excellent student. Is this not exceptional circumstances? She is classified as disabled due to her chronic illness. How can we proceed?

Does the college have a fitness to study policy?
If yes then id advise you read it, it may be that they state they can do this if a student is unable to attend.
As your daughter is disabled she is entitled to reasonable adjustments if she is able to attend (recording classes falls under this) however if she cannot attend school then the college may have a policy around this stating that students have to re-apply. Also it might be worth looking into getting her an EHCP?
I hope your daughter feels better soon 🙂

Assuming this is a UK, state school situation, contact your local education authority (LEA) and ask them for advice. I'd follow the College's proposal and re-apply for next year. If your daughter has been getting good grades when she's able to attend, why would then not take her back? Also, look for other College's though.

On behalf of my 17 year old daughter who has been living with chronic illnesses since age 12. The main symptoms are pain everywhere (using mobility aids as needed), extreme fatigue, blacking out, dizziness and digestive issues.
Since starting A-levels last year, her health has taken a major downturn. Despite this she managed excellent attendance and grades, even winning an award for her work.
However, since May half term her digestive issues have become very serious and she was hospitalised over the summer and has been placed on a feeding tube. She is awaiting many tests to find out what is going on and is at home on her tube.
She tried going into college (year 13) but her pain, fatigue and worry over what is wrong with her means she just comes home and sleeps, if she makes it in at all.
The college won't provide any recordings of lessons and just say to catch up when she can. She was an early applicant but she now feels there is no way she can continue this year in this state.
She has asked the college if she can defer a year. They said they don't offer this and her only choice would be withdraw and reapply for next year but her place would not be guaranteed. I don't see how they can do this as she already got in to the college and has proved herself an excellent student. Is this not exceptional circumstances? She is classified as disabled due to her chronic illness. How can we proceed?

I think it's just the uncertainty as they themselves said her place wouldn't be guaranteed which is what I find hard to understand as she is such a good student. Thank you for your feedback 😊

I'm very sorry to hear this! It doesn't seem right of the college at all, and this is definitely an exceptional circumstance which needs to be taken seriously by them!

My best guess is if they dont think your daughter would be fit enough to attend next year then they wont give her a place in case she can’t come in (might be stated in an admissions policy or fitness to study policy)