Ds wants to quit sixthform

[Whatnext52]

Name changed
Ds has hated sixthform so far. Currently doing 2 legacy as levels. And one set of school trial exams.
He was saying he would like to leave at the end of the year and do an apprenticeship. Then leave and swap into year 13 at a college. Currently at a school sixthform. This looks problematic. Now saying restart doing a 2 year Btec course. He is suffering from anxiety and depression. On Medes which have helped. Awaiting CAMHS.
Only really started working recently. Prior to that he would go to his room to work and spend his time on the phone. We are now insisting on the dinning room table.
Part of me thinks stick school out as you have got this far. But I want him to be well and happy. I worry that college won't have enough structure. He can't cope with the free periods as it is.
Any ideas or useful advice welcome.
Ps he doesn't know what he wants to do in the future other than travel

[Squeegle]

I think if he is unhapppy and wants to stop and he has an idea of what he would rather do then you need to listen to him

[Highalert]

His mental health is more important than his A levels. Let him quit if he needs too.

[Heratnumber7]

Apprenticeships are ace. And often lead to a job, which A levels do not.
If my DCs were that age again, I'd encourage them to do an apprenticeship. .

[Whatnext52]

Thanks. Quite agree mental health is the priority. I worry that another failed year will have a negative impact.

[Squeegle]

I feel for your DS, it's so hard, but ultimately control is important for us all and if he feels he has some kind of control over what he does, it may improve things for him. There is so much pressure on kids these days. Also I agree re apprenticeships

[dataandspot]

My year 12 child absolutely hates a levels despite getting all A * at GCSE.

I have no suggestions but I will be following this post!

Commiserations op .

[TeenAndTween]

Sounds like he knows what he doesn't want but doesn't know what he does want.

Suggest you sit down with him and talk through each of the options, what they involve, and the pros and cons, then let him mull them over.
First thing - what aspects of A levels at school is he not getting on with, and go from there.

[Whatnext52]

Yes he knows what he doesn't like, his subjects, the teachers, the other pupils, free periods. Having to stay in school for free periods. Because he has been so down he hasn't been working or engaging in the general life of school which makes everything worse.
He doesn't really know what next but wants change.
He thinks everyone else is having a better time than him.
Alsorts of services are coming on board. School are being supportive..

[Romain1]

Same position here. Ds hates sixth form. Can't cope with free periods. Failing in all subjects. Suffering form depression . Plans to leave at the end of term with no real direction. However is smart with so much potential.

[chocolateworshipper]

DD is in Y12 and suffers with anxiety and depression. She took one old-style A level and knows she has failed the exam (she just froze in the exam and wrote almost nothing). Luckily she also took 2 BTECs and got Distinction * for both (the highest grade). BTECs can be great for someone with MH problems - you do have deadlines, but they are manageable, you know where you are (grade wise) as there are regular checkpoints and NO EXAMS (at least not for the ones DD is doing). You can still get into uni if you want to as they equate to UCAS points. In Y13 she is going to use some of her frees to support students with additional needs.

It might be worth looking at BTECs and it might be worth looking into what extra-curricular activities are on offer that he might be interested in. Best of luck.

[HappyGoLuckyGirl]

I quit 6th form after about 3 months. I hated it, it was making me sick.

I got an apprenticeship straightaway and still work for the same company, albeit higher on the ladder.

I'm just going into my 5th year of uni and have to resubmit 3 courseworks this summer due to depression and anxiety.

Some people just don't do well with classroom learning and flourish in hands on environments.

I would let him quit.