Yes, they do have some kind of protection, but unfortunately my son never got his "statement of special needs", because we moved schools so often. At this school it looked like we were going to get it, but then the SENco (special educational needs) teacher became ill, and they haven't replaced her. Now he's only got just over a year to go, and it would take that long to get his statement.

At least the formal diagnoses of dyspraxia and asperger's syndrome have helped him access some help at the school, though not quite what he needs in exams. (His handwriting is very poor. I requested technical support, so that he could type his answers... instead they gave him twenty extra minutes so he could "write slow." What teenage boy wants to spend extra time in the exam hall!)

There's a very supportive college that I'm hoping he gets into for sixth form, with specially dedicated rooms and teaching environments for students with special needs, such as autism. We went for an interview, and it looks amazing... right now it's a case of keeping him engaged in school so he can get there.