To let DD leave 6th form to work in a pub!

I think there is a huge swath of opportunities between 6th form at an independent school and working NMW at the local pub.

Maybe this school isn’t right for her. What about other colleges or 6th forms? What about some sort of technical apprenticeship (probably highly sought after but you never know?) where she can do sound or theatre management while auditioning for some local productions? What about a working holiday at a drama summer camp abroad?

I would sit down with her and be really honest about the realities of pub work going forward. Great as a first job part time. A whole lot less great when you want to start a family one day and need to afford childcare and need sociable daytime hours, or when you need to save up for a house deposit.

I do think there is something to be said for knowing yourself well enough to change course when something isn’t right. I actually did the same at 17. But it has to be with some goal in mind. I would worry about my dd if she just drifted into and got stuck in pub work if she had other passions and ambitions.

I made my daughter stay. She didn’t sit GCSEs as it was 2020 but she may well have failed maths if she sat the actual paper.
we struggled through. She also had a pub job! She found a uni course she was really interested in, and she’s about to graduate with likely a first. I felt in todays world a year of pain was worth her future and it paid off.
she stayed home for uni, has loved every bit of it and thanks me for being so stubborn with her.

we broke sixth form into chunks and only thought about that bit - up to half term, up Xmas, up to Feb then Easter then done!

Not true - she can also be in employment.

She can't be forced into education, and it is damaging to try to force her. She won't gain anything but she could lose any motivation to learn when older. I appreciate you believe she is making a mistake. She may be. But you won't fix the mistake by forcing her into something she doesn't want.

What does she like about the job? Would she like to find an apprenticeship or vocational qualifications in hospitality or small business management?

What if you said to her that she needs to save up and put away the money it would cost to retake three a levels in the future? And pass her maths gcse. Then she could quit college?

Not sure how much it'd cost x

Its hard at that age, but I'm of the opinion that its best to keep her sane, healthy and close to you during these years, and she might decide in a few years time that shes ready for further study x

Employment is an option at her age.

NEET is the term for 16+ who are Not in Employment, Education or Training. Ideally they are doing one of those three.

Tricky one op but you can't make her want to study. Has she actually said that she wants to leave? My friend's daughter wasn't academic and struggled through her A levels. She did stick them out but worked in cafes as well then got a working visa to Australia and has lived and worked there in a variety of different jobs mainly cafes and retail for several years now and has had a fantastic time. The maths would be useful though. Has she looked at getting a Functional Maths qualification?

No! It’s not 1990 where you leave school at 16 work in a pub and can afford to rent a room come 18. Life’s bloody hard and expensive. But I would look at another route for training and learning as 6th form clearly isn’t for her.

Could you suggest she looks at colleges for NVQs? Academics isn't for everyone, there are good options that don't require ALevels and degrees.

I assume she's doing a levels op? Would she be happier at a college doing a vocational course?

Does she have any neurodivergence issues?

I sympathise, but by law she should be in some kind of education or training until she turns 18.

I’d let her do what she wants, it’s her life