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Original poster

Would you allow your DC to move to a college 160 milesaway?

64 replies

hannabarbera · 14/01/2020 08:48

My DC will be 16 yrs and 8 months in September. And has had an invite to attend a college to do a specific course (A level/Btec level) Said course is tailored for a certain sporty person and at a very high level. And to start with its invite only to attend, open day to suit us, see the sport academy, etc. DC would stay there for the duration as we are over 3 hours away. Ee would have to pay for accommodation but funding in place for daily travel etc.

DC is keen and so are we, we are going there to see the place in the next few weeks. Its just a big step! DC has been away for days on end doing a sport and mixing with new likeminded people. Where we live now, DC participates in the sport, but friends don’t and TBH they don’t have much in common.

Of course DC could try it and if it doesn’t work out there is a local college DC can go to do a general sport course but not at a high level.

Im fretting, wanting DC to have a fab opportunity,....

OP posts:

IdblowJonSnow · 14/01/2020 14:33

Possibly in some circumstances but would be secretly devastated and want to move house!!

unbaffled · 14/01/2020 14:46

Yes, I would.

I already did - similar elite thing, dd was 16 and 5 months, lived independently in student digs sharing with another student on the same course.

CalamityJune · 14/01/2020 16:07

Yes, I would allow this. It does sound like there is more to it than just playing the sport, and she might make contacts for her future career even if the playing doesn't work out.

I think you know your own child enough to know if she is likely to make friends easily enough, likely to be open with you about her feelings, likely to have the independence to keep up with her studies. If these things aren't like her, then it might not be the right choice.

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Embracelife · 14/01/2020 16:09

Of course
It s great opportunity

Murinae · 14/01/2020 16:15

I would otherwise your child would resent you for life. Our neighbour is a host family and the girls who stay with her are really well looked after.

jay55 · 14/01/2020 16:16

What happens if they get injured?

I know one sporty kid (now adult, who went on to play professionally, had a great career) who had an utterly miserable time because they were injured, couldn't play and found the rest of the work hard going without the reward of the practical. They were very homesick and gave up. It didn't harm their career but their mental health took a battering.

Original poster

hannabarbera · 14/01/2020 16:18

They could get injured. They could be fine! That us something we would cross if it happened.

OP posts:

Kez200 · 14/01/2020 16:21

Yes I would.

When I was studying BTEC back in the 80s, friends of mine stayed locally in the week and only went home for weekends because they lived remotely with little public transport.

Its a good age to start independent living and hopefully the accommodation arranged will be more suited to a 16 year old than Uni student.

Both my children flew at college and I feel its important to make sure they take the absolute right course for them at 16.

TowerRingInferno · 14/01/2020 16:22

Definitely - what a fantastic opportunity for them!

ThisIsSharonVanEtten · 14/01/2020 16:26

I know Of three people who have done this. One to a rugby one - she wasn’t overly academic but I think did well, and now works for a major club aged 20. One doing BTEC outdoor pursuits. She is now Y13, and apparently loving it. One doing BTEC water sports and also loving it, though is often homesick. He was only away from home three nights in Y12, but now Y13 and it is 5 nights which is doesn’t like so much.

I would find it hard for them to go at that age though.

pineing · 14/01/2020 20:50

What happens if they get injured?
Chances are that if they are on a course such as this, they are more likely to be able to get access to the top sports therapists, treatments and physios than if they are at home.
Medical insurance is probably a requirement of studying there, or is included in the fees to cover such eventualities.

Evenstar · 14/01/2020 21:06

DS16 got a scholarship for Sixth Form College, it was his idea to apply and we supported him through a long application process. He went last September and hasn’t looked back. It is not a sports college, but they play a lot of sport and have wonderful facilities as well as participating in outward bound type activities. He had friends here but unfortunately as they have got older they want to lie in bed at weekends/holidays or play X box constantly. DS loves to be outside and active and he seems a lot more content with kindred spirits.

We have all adjusted well, they get some long weekends and longer holidays and I would 100% say to anyone let them go.

RB68 · 14/01/2020 21:09

its no different to boarding school and various supervision will have to be properly in place, Sounds great to me

averythinline · 15/01/2020 07:10

The other courses you have mentioned are sports related...is that all their interests? Just it would rule out other university options without extra years of study if they decide that sports is not where they want to go...
If you could afford to support that then depending on how much vetting you get of host family!
I would want a couple of possible plan b's (even if I kept them in my head) but I left home at 16 and lived independently so would def go for it

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