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Original poster

how to keep UC when child turns 16

39 replies

Ramiona · 04/02/2023 20:18

Hi,
My daughter will be turning 16 in August
Her mock GCSE is quite lower than we expected therefore I am not sure if she will manage to get a place in her school's sixth form. I am not sure what will happen with the UC child element if she doesn't get into any a-level course.
Is it possible o move her to homeschool after GCSE exams and try to redo the exams privately the next year? I was thinking about keeping her home for one year and homeschooling the subjects which were too low. But then how do I keep the UC, I am working full time but as a single parent, I won't be able to support all of us from my pay if they cut the child element on UC.
And I don't want her to settle down doing jobs she won't be happy with in the future.

OP posts:
TubbyByeBye · 04/02/2023 20:23

There will be courses at your local college that don't require good results. It's doesn't have to be A-levels that she studies.

TwigTheWonderKid · 04/02/2023 20:23

Well for a start she's got another 4 months to knuckle down and get some work done to pull up her grades. If she gets disappointing results after that then maybe A levels aren't for her? Have you looked at colleges with vocational courses?

hidingbehindascreen · 04/02/2023 20:25

They have to stay in education till 18.. look at Btech or apprenticeship

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Skiphopbump · 04/02/2023 20:25

Look at local colleges.

If your DDs grades aren’t high enough for level 3 courses then she could look at level 2 (GCSE equivalent) and then move onto L3 the year after. Or perhaps your DD could find an apprenticeship.

fairgame84 · 04/02/2023 20:26

As above, college. Or they might let her repeat her gcses at school if her grades aren't great. DS is 18 and in full time school doing gcses. He won't be doing a-levels.

zighead · 04/02/2023 20:29

They definitely don't let you suddenly claim to be home schooling at that stage of their education. You need to look up the local sixth form colleges and see what courses they do that appeal to your DD.

Dacadactyl · 04/02/2023 20:30

I think homeschooling her is an absolute nonstarter. I dont mean any offence, but if professionals can't get her up to scratch, you will struggle, particularly with working FT too!

She still has a few months to revise yet. Contact school and ask for her to be in intervention for English and Maths at the very least. Get them to suggest strategies for helping her.

She could try to get on an apprenticeship or do vocational stuff at college.

I understand where youre coming from, but as i see it, she does not have the luxury of 'not knowing what she wants to do and not being stuck in a job she doesn't really like'. There are plenty of people who work jobs they hate in order to keep money coming in.

Good luck with it.

Original poster
Ramiona · 04/02/2023 20:35

in my town the local colleges don't have any courses she is interested in, that's why I was thinking about homeschooling for a year and getting her some tutoring; on UC website says a child needs to enter home school education before turns 16, as she was born in August so it will be before the school year starts. She wanted to study physics and computer science and she has good grades in those but she fails others. but not sure how to play this with UC.

Her school won't let her repeat; its one of those schools you need the 11plus exam and they do not keep anyone repeating gcse - it doesn't look good on their data

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 04/02/2023 20:36

fairgame84 · 04/02/2023 20:26

As above, college. Or they might let her repeat her gcses at school if her grades aren't great. DS is 18 and in full time school doing gcses. He won't be doing a-levels.

A lot of school 6th forms don't offer GCSE resits. The student has to leave and go to the local FE college.

Original poster
Ramiona · 04/02/2023 20:38

@Dacadactyl she has missed a lot of days at school due to anxiety caused by bullying for the last 4 years ( not well managed by the school) and repeated chest infections ( her attendance is 65% of all absences authorised) that's why I wanted to get her tutoring but for that, I need the little top up from Universal Credit which is called child element and I am scared to loose if she won't get into sixth form

OP posts:
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 04/02/2023 20:41

No, she would of needed to be home schooled for year 11 for that to work.

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 04/02/2023 20:42

Why can't she go to college and repeat her GCSES?

Dacadactyl · 04/02/2023 20:43

@Ramiona her attendance is extremely low and I am sorry to hear of her struggles.

In your situation I would personally be tempted to tell her to start looking for apprenticeships and then change her rent.

pigsinoodies · 04/02/2023 20:43

If you're capable of homeschooling her then you've still got the 4 months to bring her up to scratch for her GCSEs.

RampantIvy · 04/02/2023 20:46

I'm sorry to hear about the bullying. DD had an awful time in year 10. You have my sympathy.

Can you get a tutor to bring your DD up to scratch with maths and English?

Skiphopbump · 04/02/2023 20:46

If your DD doesn’t pass and you want to keep your UC then your DD will need to continue in education. Your DD could find a course she has some interest in and then somewhere that does GCSE resits (the college will do those) or GCSE evening classes.

Of your DD doesn’t pass then she will have to take a longer path to her end goal.

Bobbybobbins · 04/02/2023 20:50

I think the first priority needs to be to get the bullying tackled and get attendance up - get attendance is extremely low (understandably) and this will be having a huge impact on her attendance.

Bobbybobbins · 04/02/2023 20:50

*impact on her grades

BessieSurtees · 04/02/2023 21:02

Maybe get some proper advice because full time education or approved training does not have to be 5 days a week. Your DD may find college is easier than school. For child benefit it only has to be more than 12 hours a week and UC usually follow CB.

You can try Connexions or something similar in your area for advice on what she can do but don’t rely on the UC helpline or website as they do not drill down the detail. A good benefits adviser will.

FatGirlSwim · 04/02/2023 21:06

If her attendance is low and she is unhappy, and academically not achieving, you could deregister her now and delay taking her GCSE’s ? I don’t think the DWP will accept it if you start home Ed for sixth form.

Original poster
Ramiona · 25/02/2023 22:39

I do not know how it works, can she repeat the gcse? is it free? For now, she stays home and not going to school :/
I am from abroad not sure how the system works here

OP posts:
titchy · 25/02/2023 22:45

If she goes to college to repeat GCSEs it is free. HE really doesn't sound feasible. To be honest is she's so anxious she can't attend school, then staying there for sixth form is a non starter. Apply for college places now.

cestlavielife · 25/02/2023 22:46

Private GSCE fees range between £37 to £200 per exam. These fees depend on the particular GCSE and where you choose to sit them. You can often find a better rate by shopping around and asking different exam centre

Is what google says, plust cost of tutor
So if you short of money then surely is
Far better to have her atrend a college for free as they will pay the fees

Look at local colleges

ItsOKToFeelProud · 25/02/2023 22:48

Yes they can re do GCSE along side their course.

StreamingCervix · 25/02/2023 22:56

Are there any other colleges out of your immediate area but that could be reached by public transport/lifts that offer appropriate courses?

which subjects is she struggling with?

I know it’s unpalatable to dwell on too much now, but start considering how you’ll cope financially when she’s 18, it will come around sooner than you expect.

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