To ask what age can children leave school?

[gardenangels]

DS nearly 18. He is in second year of A levels. I keep being contacted by school saying he is missing lessons. Can I get into trouble for this?

I work full time so don't know when he comes home early. He is over 6 ft and I tried to talk to him about it and he has just started throwing things in his room...

[DerekSprechenZeDick]

I think his reaction to been asked needs dealing with before the school thing. Why is he having a tantrum?!

[Longlost10]

that sounds very extreme for 18, throwing things????? It sounds like you need to get t ogether with him and the school and sit down and find out exactly what is going on

[Frustratedmamabear]

No legal requirements. It's this years 16 year olds that are required to be in education or training. Prior to this there was no enforcement.

[gillybeanz]

It sounds like he is stressed, do you think he's struggling with the level of the subject or feels he has chosen badly etc.

If you possibly can get him to talk in a calm way, you'll get to the bottom of it.
perhaps tell him that school are involving you so you have to involve yourself as to the reason he is skipping.

Before it was compulsory to stay on until 18, post ed students, so 16+ could decide if they wanted to have parental involvement and if they chose not to then colleges were unable to contact and involve parents.
i know because my worst students did this, their parents had no idea how they were doing, if they were skipping classes etc.
It's good you can be involved now and you have the opportunity to help him.
I know it's hard but you need to get him to talk calmly to you.

[gardenangels]

He won't speak about it and has always been very immature for his age. He just wants the student life without the work involved. Really nice girlfriend and large circle of friends.

I am worried that I will be held liable for him not attending school when I can't do anything about it

[gardenangels]

He can be pretty nasty and damages things if he does not want to discuss things

[Thefishewife]

16 years old unless he stays on you or him will not be able to claim anything for him not even CB


Staying on until 18 is to stop NEETS and parents who let there kids sit indoors watching JC all knowing they will still be getting money for them of them stilling at home getting home cooked meals and pants washed by mum only to rise to get there fornighly money for the job center

also if he dosent have 80% attendance they will kick him of the course you do know that don't you op they don't get funding if they don't come in so I would think that's why they have there knickers in a twist


Personally I would be making it clear to ds ypu won't be giving any money for socialising and he won't be able to claim anything unless he attends 6th form

[smartiecake]

They legally are required to be in compulsory education until the end of June in their year 11 year. After that it's a choice of where they learn - a school 6th form or college or apprenticeship or training. It is not a legal requirement that he attends his school 6th form and you would not get into trouble. However A levels are very demanding and the expectation will be that he attends and works hard in order to pass these qualifications. Maybe he is voting with his feet and is feeling the pressure now?

[Thefishewife]

If you can't talk to him them hit him were it hurts his social life if he dosent have a job op them I presume you are paying if he's not attending collage then you shouldn't be paying for travel

I presume he is galvanting around on the travel card your paying for instead of being at 6th form

[smartiecake]

And yes your child benefit and any other benefits for him will stop if he drops out

[gardenangels]

Unfortunately unable to speak to him. He ignores everything I say and gets very nasty if you won't leave his room and starts throwing things around.

He is a bright boy but very immature just obsessed with his social life and looks. He was working hard last year...

I have told him that he either has to stay at school doing A levels or get a job when he is 18.

Due to his unreasonable behaviour in throwing things around I don't think I can continue living with him for much longer

[Thefishewife]

So who is paying for his social life and why can't he gat a job now

My lad has a job and he's in college there is no way I would be paying for Somone to arse about stop giving him money as from tonight


Make him a pack lunch for collage but a weekly bus pass job done and if he asks for money print off a mc Donald's application

[gardenangels]

I have stopped all his money and will be cancelling his phone tonight. A lot of his friends have a lot of very rich parents so nothing is enough for him. He is very resentful about money but won't get a job. At the moment he us not a very nice person...

[sonlypuppyfat]

Sounds like he has shot himself in the foot. Good for you stopping his money ffs boys his age used to go to war and he's throwing stuff about!

[Thefishewife]

Good


He can be resentful when he's earning his own

The only way he will get a job when he relise the bank of mum is shut for good don't give him even a pound op if he thinks he can get even a fiver he won't get a job and if he's s jelouse of his mates tell him to go there see if there parents will put up with his shit


But I will say this op because you haven required him to work his expectIons have been way off

*why have you been paying for a contract phone 999 is free

Contracts are for working people

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

There is no legal requirement for him to be in school or training or college at all post GCSE's actually- it's just that if he left education he would not be able to claim benefits (jsa) till age 18. He could get a full time job, as my 17 has done.

[InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream]

My 17 yr old that should have said