Leaving school

[Jay077]

Hello people of mums net, I seek your wisdom and advice.

I plan to move out and get a job, and starting chipping away at my dream. Problem is according to law I have to be in education till 18 (1 more year)... something I frankly don't want to do.

So any advice?

You have to be in education or training. Education can be 6th form at school or a further education college. College is much less 'school like'. Training can mean working part time and college part time. Training can also be an apprenticeship which is learning on the job (but doesn't pay much). But it's a grey area. You can get a full time job at 17. No one follows up if you leave school at 17 and it's perfectly legal for an employer to take you on.
I believe the only thing it would affect is if you stay in education your parents would still be entitled to child benefit (if they get it) but if you leave it stops. If you lost your job I believe you wouldn't be entitled to any benefits because you are under 18. This means you have to have financial parental support. Unless you plan to move out and live with a friend it's highly unlikely anyone would rent to a 17 year old.
It's just one year. Could you go to your local college and do a couple of subjects that you just think sound interesting. Some btecs are year long courses.

You have to be in education or training until you are 18. So you could do an apprenticeship. There are some fairly decent ones around that would see you right through to degree level and give you enough for a house share or similar but competition is likely to be fierce at the moment.

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch?_ga=2.223571739.1865771933.1595832694-421274936.1578337271

Do moving out and getting a job have to happen simultaneously?

Finding an apprenticeship that would suit would be hard, but I appreciate the advice given.

Ideally yes because I got a houseshare planned and need something to pay for rent.

@bookmum08

You have to be in education or training. Education can be 6th form at school or a further education college. College is much less 'school like'. Training can mean working part time and college part time. Training can also be an apprenticeship which is learning on the job (but doesn't pay much). But it's a grey area. You can get a full time job at 17. No one follows up if you leave school at 17 and it's perfectly legal for an employer to take you on. I believe the only thing it would affect is if you stay in education your parents would still be entitled to child benefit (if they get it) but if you leave it stops. If you lost your job I believe you wouldn't be entitled to any benefits because you are under 18. This means you have to have financial parental support. Unless you plan to move out and live with a friend it's highly unlikely anyone would rent to a 17 year old. It's just one year. Could you go to your local college and do a couple of subjects that you just think sound interesting. Some btecs are year long courses.

Understood. Thanks for the information. I took a course at a college, but yeah maybe I'll find some course or apprenticeship or something.

The age with rent is why me and my friends are looking for someone who's 18 or over. Planning to houseshare and get a job to pay for it.

Nothing will happen except a few phone calls if you become a NEET.
You could join army, move out & start earning at 16.

Remember though at 17 you may get less of a wage than older colleagues. National Minimum Wage doesn't start being the full amount until age 22. There is a lower minimum wage for 17 year olds. You will not be earning a lot at 17 unless you are very lucky.
Please make sure you rent somewhere safe and with a good landlord.

@lljkk

Nothing will happen except a few phone calls if you become a NEET. You could join army, move out & start earning at 16.

The army was something I had been considering for a long time, but certain things made me put it off. I'm now actually considering it.

@bookmum08

Remember though at 17 you may get less of a wage than older colleagues. National Minimum Wage doesn't start being the full amount until age 22. There is a lower minimum wage for 17 year olds. You will not be earning a lot at 17 unless you are very lucky. Please make sure you rent somewhere safe and with a good landlord.

Thank you for providing details, I'll take that into account.

And will do :)