What he means is the mucus is dripping out of his nose, instead of down the back of his throat.
If this is what you do actually mean, then just sniff up long and hard with the nose you didn't use blocked then swallow the stuff. Only way you can do it, I have the same problem with cocaine or whenever it's summer since my hayfever is really bad. I still get high so I can't see why you wouldn't.
I'm not experienced at all in Ritalin though so I couldn't answer any branding questions but as I know you're from the UK I don't think I'd be wrong to say that branding means nothing when it comes to prescription drugs. Binding agents maybe different but the active ingredient will always be the same and modified release from what I've read means after you've taken it. It doesn't 'kick' in for a while, where as instant release will start to work immediately and extended release works over time. So basically, you swallow it, and there's a gel or wax coating to stop it from taking effect right away.
So if you take it before school, which you probably do. It will stop it from kicking in before you get to school and will probably start working around 1-2 hrs into school. Hope that makes sense.