Options 16+ for bright girl who will fail most/all GCSE's.

[minifingers]

Wondering what happens to students like dd now that dropping out of education isn't an option. She is likely to leave without maths or English. Her school won't let her stay on into sixth form and I can't imagine any other school will want to offer her a place given her school record (not just not working, but disruption, poor punctuality etc).

How do we go about trying to find an appropriate college place or an apprenticeship? Is there any particular organisation we could approach who would be able to help us explore the options?

I know that there are masses of foundation level BTEC's. I taught in FE years ago on a range of vocational courses. DD is bright and easily bored and I can't imagine her lasting 10 minutes on the type of entry level courses I used to teach on.

I am looking at apprenticeships for her, but then the thought keeps cropping up - why would anyone want to offer an apprenticeship to a student who's proved themselves unable to follow rules or consistently get into school on time?

[CaptainJaneSafeway]

I'd ask her what she wants and what she sees herself doing in 5 or 10 years time (at a calm moment, not confrontationally). Make sure she knows there will always be the option to go back into education, get those exams and train to be anything she wants if she feels ready one day. What are her interests? What would she be if she could be anything in the world?

There is also work - maybe she needs to spend a couple of years doing something completely different. Maybe working in a cafe or hotel or whatever would give her a new outlook, friends, purpose, money and/or a wake-up call as necessary.

[minifingers]

She talks about wanting to be a social worker or family worker, but it's all pie in the sky because she won't do the work she needs to do access training for these types of jobs.

She doesn't turn 16 until next August - she'll finish school in June. I've been looking through apprenticeship offers - there are loads in care homes and nurseries which don't require GCSE's. The care home jobs require apprentices to provide personal care (bottom wiping/bathing etc). Would they be ok with a 16 year old doing this?

[lljkk]

Where do you live?

No experience, am curious about other replies. Care home work is ideal if she does have a kind nature. My first thoughts are:

Many 6th form colleges offer catchup do-GCSE-in-1-yr courses, ideal for someone who didn't get English or math yet. Run in a more college way "You're almost a grown-up now". I would be looking at those first, and I think she could do them all the way until she's 19. But totally her decision whether she goes on one. I have to cajole yr10 DS out the door every morning & all that stops when he finishes yr11, regardless of results!!

She will be old enough for volunteer work, they don't ask for qualifications. She could find something she likes by volunteering & that could motivate her to get the qualifications to make a paid job out of it.

Things like paper rounds & cleaning jobs, chugging, sales, telesales. I doubt bin-folk have many qualifications, either.

[inthename]

Care homes require people to be 18 before they are allowed to do personal care, but do look on your local and county council websites as they often offer apprenticeships.

[TalkinPeace]

talk to your local vocational colleges : its not how it was even 5 years ago

[Saracen]

If your daughter is doing paid or voluntary work for at least 20 hours a week, she only has to be in part-time education or training.

For that matter, the government has said that it has no immediate plans to criminalise young people who don't fulfil their obligation to remain in education, so dropping out of education is still an option. A year or two out of education could give her the chance to accomplish something, and/or return to college with greater focus later on. I think it's counterproductive to force a profoundly unmotivated person to stay in formal education when she could be making her mark in other ways.

[FelixTitling]

I can't give any advice on current options, I'm afraid, but just wanted to maybe give you a bit of hope based on my own experience. I left school with 0 GCSE's and took the only college course (Care) that would take me where I scraped 5 c grades. I then spent 2 years in the world of work before going back to college and finally putting the effort. I now have a professional qualification, a degree, and a good job.

It was being allowed to go and get a proper job that really motivated me and allowed me to test what I might be good at. I know jobs aren't as plentiful nowadays, and harder to get, but it sounds like there are options to experience future employment options. My parents were also very strict about not financing me once I left college.

I'm sure she'll find her way.

[CaptainJaneSafeway]

You do sound a bit like you've given up on her OP, I don't mean to be judgemental about that as you sound frustrated. But even if you are sure she will fail, try to be positive and give her the message that there are lots of ways to be a success in life and her education options are always open, because they are.

I left school at 16, not in the same circumstances but I definitely didn't fit in. When I went on to do my A-levels at a community college with mature students it just suited me so much better.

[LIZS]

You need to get round to as many college open days as are left and discuss the options. She won't be "allowed" not to have any English or Maths qualifications so even on an NVQ, BTEC or apprenticeship course she would have to take those courses alongside. Without Level 2 qualifications (ideally the 5 minimum or NVQ) she will struggle to find work even at the most menial level. Maybe having a 3rd party tell her that would be useful. Has she been considered for a college based 14-16 programme ?

[snozzlemaid]

She will have to continue with the Maths and English until she's 18 or until she gets a C grade.

[marne2]

Yes. They have to re sit maths and English now until they get a C or until they are 18.

[KnittedJimmyChoos]

why would anyone want to offer an apprenticeship to a student who's proved themselves unable to follow rules or consistently get into school on time?

Someone somewhere will recognise her potential and give her a chance. You just have to keep trying in the mean time can you try and come at the problem in different ways, of course I am sure you will have tried everything but I am an optimist and believe something in her somewhere will respond to right - click.

Something to give her a different perspective on life..can she live with another relative for a while?

I am sure you have already gone through but I know from experience someone somewhere will see she is bright and give her a chance, its just waiting for her to want that chance.

[Bunbaker]

"6th forms are not allowed to refuse students for any reason apart from not having the grades for certain courses"

That will apply to some 6th form colleges. At DD's school to join the 6th form you need at least 5 GCSEs A* - C including English and maths, one of them being a B in one of your chosen A level subjects.

[catslife]

Sounds as if your dd could do with a fresh start OP and perhaps a move to college next year would motivate her so that she does put in more effort with her GCSEs.
Many teenagers do achieve more in a college type environment where they are treated as grown up and free from wearing uniforms etc.
Organisations such as the Princes Trust provide post-16 vocational training and could be worth looking into.

[ChillySundays]

Is she expected to pass other subjects? If she is bright why will she not pass english or maths. Is it laziness? Sorry about all the questions

[CastlesInTheSand]

Round here lots of studio colleges are opening up which sound very different to school.

The ad on the bus says 'ready for work but still need to be in education? Come to X studio college'

They take people from 14-19. If you're in NW London I can give you specifics.

[GnomeDePlume]

Are you anywhere near Birmingham?

DS & I are going to The Skills Show at the NEC on Saturday.

Would that help you DD to get some idea of what she really wants to do?

[AnotherStitchInTime]

My niece failed all her GCSEs but got Health and Social Care level 1. She was able to go to college and do her level 2 Health and Social Care and her English and Maths GCSEs at the same time.

A lot of colleges offer the level 1 course.

DH flunked everything, went to college got some BTECs then went on and got two degrees. Going to college helped him a lot, he matured and stopped his descent down a very bad path (expelled from several schools, involved with gangs etc..)

I know there is history here mini and you want the best for your dd, but the truth is unless she wants to make a change, she won't. Try and help her get into college, but be prepared that she may not be ready to make the change for herself yet. She may have to self-destruct until she reaches her rock bottom before she realises the harm she is doing to herself. It is very hard to sit back and watch that, but all can you can be is there for her. My dniece ran away from home twice and experienced how hard was to survive without the safety net of family before she sorted herself out.

[AddToBasket]

OP, your DD doesn't sound like she needs 'a chance', she sounds like she needs a job, income, responsibility. With that will come a desire to do better and hopefully she will find her own motivation to strive.

Education is always, always an option. Now or in 15 years time. Encourage her to get a job and see that 'summer holidays' aren't a given.

MacDonalds and other retail jobs can be great for this and can lead to good roles later on.

[Hooliesmoolies]

Just for the record OP, I didn't read your post at all as though you had given up on your DD. I agree with the others comments that she needs to decide what she will do. If it is possible to work part time and go to college, then that might be perfect for her. What ever happens, I hope it works out well for you all.

[StudyExamMentor]

Your daughter might not be able to cope with the pressure or lack of structure in how to study or revise. Any courses in the future will pose the same problem. The solution is for her to follow a structured and effective study programme and know how to ask her subject teachers to solve problems. If she is bright then it is not too late to reverse the process. This sadly is very common for secondary school students but there is a solution