DS1 started sixth form in September. He did not work for his GCSEs, but did quite well. Obviously things were difficult for him - as they were for all of them - during the lockdowns, he certainly struggled with online learning. Once school opened again, he got into quite a lot of trouble in year 11 for his consistent lateness, which is not at all excusable given we live five minutes walk from the school, but overall, he seemed happier being at school than he had with the home learning.
Anyway, I had hoped that sixth form would provoke a bit of a change in his behaviour/attitude, that it would be a fresh start. This has not been the case. Within two weeks, I had been contacted by the head of sixth form saying they were worried about his lack of engagement (not handing in homework, consistently being late, sometimes very late, being disrespectful to teachers). I talked to him, explained that I thought the logical conclusion of him carrying on like this would be him being kicked out, he said he would change. He hasn't. He's been late almost every day (despite us getting him up in good time, taking him coffee, cajoling him etc). It's almost as if he is doing it on purpose (I've suggested this to him and he says not, but I think he must be). He has not handed in several homeworks (again, we have asked him about it again and again and he says he has done it).
I don't know what to do. He's nearly 17, it's very difficult to make him do anything. I've tried being very on his case and getting off his case and everything in-between. Does anyone know what can/might happen in this kind of situation (how long will a school put up with someone not turning up on time, for example?). And if the worst happens, is it a case of having to find an alternative, given he has to be in education until he is 18?
Sorry for long post.