How to motivate a child that hates education

[Addictedtohotbaths]

Two DC, one loves learning and wants to go to Oxford. the other has no interest whatsoever.

She’s 11, is polite, well behaved does her homework and contributes in class but does the minimum possible to get by.

She hates learning and always has, she has no interest in any subject.

She loves dance and cooking and does it in her free time lots.

Does it matter? Nothing I can do motivates her, I can’t see her staying on beyond GCSE’s.

Do they change as they move through secondary school?

She has dyscalculia, no dyslexia but hates reading and I suspect has ADHD.

Her brother has multiple SEN but it doesn’t impact his motivation for studying.

I don’t want to let her down and want her to get the best education but she is so stubborn.

Shes still young. Will she the optios for Vocational subjects at 14 along her interest lines... which can lead to an apprenticeship for example?

I don’t think they can do them at GCSE level at her school.

I think that will be the route for her at 16+.

I’m struggling to see how I’m going to get her to stay until 16, she asks me everyday to homeschool her / every night says she’s hates it and doesn’t want to go.

She’s got friends and isn’t being bullied, it’s a really lovely nurturing school with small classes.

TBF I hated school to the point of vomiting, but I worked really hard.

Some children just aren’t academic. It sounds like she’s well behaved at school and does her work, she’s just more interested in other things. There’s career options for both dance and cooking, or other vocational type of careers that may suit her.

Yes, I could definitely see her doing something creative / sport related.

She’s very switched on but just no interest in education.

Some college routes start at 14 - worth having a look locally if there is anything that might suit her. There are two around our way. Otherwise, trying to get her to see GCSE basics as gateway out of school is important. Maybe an early visit to post-16 open day options locally might let her see it’s not forever and she can get excited about it?

Yes I found one that does just maths, English and catering / sport from 14.

I guess we need to see how the next couple of years go / if there’s an improvement or it gets worse.

She’s having extra maths in lieu of another subject now to get her to the level she can get a maths GCSE which I’ve said is the most important goal. English is ok I think she’ll be fine, I guess anything else is a bonus.