Aimi's Story

First I called the colleges and asked them to send me as much information on their courses as possible: vocational qualifications, GCSE's and other academic courses, and adult education courses. All of these are potential entry points to college courses for under 16's and where there is low demand for courses the college is naturally likely to be positive about young applicants. I also did a little background research using websearches and calling my local councillors who I have spoken to a few times. This revealed that the LEA has a contract with the nearest college, as many do, for taking 14-16 year olds who cannot get a school place - due to poor behaviour/exclusions, or overdemand etc. This of course rather undermines their claim that they are not insured for under 16's. Having identified the courses which appeared likely to be of interest we started to make enquiries about entry. The Adult Education courses we were considering were quickly ruled out, even though home educated children have been successful in accessing Adult Education in some areas. In our area of London the attractive looking courses in stage makeup and styling, dress design, and so on, were in heavy demand, and the rules that they are funded for 19+ year olds are very firmly applied. The other obvious option was the GNVQ Intermediate course in Art and Design at the City of Westminster College. No GCSE's are required for entry to this level of course, as the usual intake is of 16 year old Art oriented school leavers who have few or no GCSE's because they were not academically oriented but had to stay in school till 16 anyway! The course is a full time 1 year course giving a broad introduction to drawing, painting, digital graphics, textiles, printing, glassblowing, photography, etc. I called the college to check what reaction I would get for this specific type of course and was again firmly told that under 16's could not be admitted. So I changed tack and called again to ask for an interview so my daughter could see if the course would be of interest. A few weeks later we had an interview with a careers advisor, who again said that 16 year olds could not attend because funding was not available. I asked if Aimi could attend if we resolved the funding issue by paying ourselves or via the LEA, and he agreed it might be possible, and passed us on for an Art department interview. We met the head of school of art and again were quite open about the situation, saying that we were interested in the course for when Aimi was 16, but explained that she would much prefer to start at 15, and asked if she would have any objection, if we were able to arrange LEA approval and resolved the funding. The Head of Art was very considerate and, having looked at Aimi's portfolio and talked to her, and satisfied herself that Aimi was competent both to benefit from the course and cope with the age group of the class, said that she would be perfectly happy in principle for Aimi to start at 15. The key with the college seemed to be to make it clear that we were not expecting them to come up with funding, that we would take responsibility for approaching the LEA and resolving the funding issue ourselves.

The Head of Art then referred me to the course administrator, who checked with the LEA, and again they agreed that in principle a child could be placed at the college under the funding from the LEA but the content of their special under 16 education could be the GNVQ. So nominally Aimi is a child who can't be placed at a school, but instead of doing the mix of social skills courses, vocational interest and simplified academic curriculum that is provided for excluded children, she would simply be registered as a normal GNVQ student. The application then has to be settled by the LEA's "social inclusion" procedures. Our application for Aimi was based on the fact she had difficulties before she left school in year 8, so the grounds for applying to the LEA were what they term "reintegration of a disaffected child.", but in principle a case can be made for any child who would not otherwise be going to school. What the LEA are not happy about with under 16 applications, is that there is any chance that the impression be given that college is a direct alternative to school.

I then took my courage firmly in both fists and phoned the Development Manager, Social Inclusion at the LEA, and simply explained the situation and asked for the college place to be funded and allocated. I have to be honest, this is when I expected things to get tough, and a round of calls to my councillor, and a visit to the MP to ensue, but no, to my great surprise my call was met with understanding, encouragement, and prompt action. The manager explained that the question would be referred to the Pupil Placement Panel, but that she supported my request and saw no reason why it should be turned down. I was asked to write explaining the facts for the committee to review. It took many weeks to go round the committee loop of course but eventually I heard that the case had been approved, without my having to provide any further information, and in due course the college confirmed that the LEA had authorised the place. We went for an interview with the Head of Foundation Studies at the College, who is a lovely lady who looks after the LEA funded under 16 year olds, who they call "Education Otherwise" students!

In September we had the entertaining job of explaining to the enrolment officers that yes, Aimi was 15, and yes, her place had been agreed by the course administrators, and the Art department, and the LEA, and no, she didn't have to go to school instead! Oh, and we had to have an interview with the course tutor, because nobody had thought to tell her that a 15 year old was joining her course. Once again she began hunting for potential problems but soon mellowed to Aimi's charming manner and gentle confidence.
Aimi came away brimming with excitement about the details she learnt about the course content.

So if you feel that a college based course is the best option for your under 16 year old, make some calls, don't take no for an answer first time round, and keep pointing out to people that the government says that it wants to provide education for 14-19 year olds that they find accessible. Funding has successfully been accessed from the LEA, the Learning and Skills Council, and from various special access funds, even if many of the administrators don't know it can. Keep trying different people and making the ethical case for education to be provided for your child that your child is willing and able to access until you find a friend who will show you how the system can be used to make it possible. There are good guys everywhere in the LEA's and colleges, trying to use the existing systems to maximum benefit. The people who helped me have clearly been working to broaden the access to the college via the LEA funding provision for excluded children.

Many LEA's have this kind of contract with a local college in order to support children who can't be placed in school, partly because the number of spare places is now being kept to an absolute minimum. I know we are not the first to find a place on a full time FE college course for an under 16. The officials however did wish to make it very clear that they will only do this in cases where they think the child is mature enough to benefit from the college environment, and to cope with the older people in the class and the level of the work, and would benefit from the course, and would not be a disruptive influence. But they are also very clear that for some children this can be a much more suitable place than school.