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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think kids can start college at 14

91 replies

Cluelessmun · 27/09/2016 11:43

Dd has a friend who would be in year 10 but is at college full time instead.

I've tried contacting local colleges for my Dd who is 14 as we think a full time vocational course will suit her better (she will still do GCSEs ) but most colleges are saying they have never heard of 14+ entry.

We can only find part time vocational colleges where she will go there once a week and to school the rest of the week.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cluelessmun · 27/09/2016 12:14

A school like Hadlow Rural Community school in Kent would be amazing for her ,it's on Hadlow college grounds but we are not in the catchment,they are full and don't think Hadlow college take 14+ entry

OP posts:
Strangeday · 27/09/2016 12:19

When I went I was in a mixed group of 14-16 year olds. Some had behavioural problems, but some had been bullied in mainstream school, some had moved house and no school place, some were in care, children's home and foster homes, others had mild learning difficulties. Some were just really unhappy at school for no apparent reason so college was a last attempt to engage them.

They were all actually a really lovely group of kids but the environment was just in no way a match for school.

Youarenotprepared · 27/09/2016 12:20

I've never heard of a 14 year old at college here either except for the reasons derek stated. I'm not saying it doesn't happen but I've only ever seen a couple of SEN pupils transfered so they could learn practical/manual stuff instead of GCSES.

I think some of the new academies that do 11-18 may offer extra courses alongside GCSEs for brighter students though but it's all the same building etc, not a seperate college.

Youarenotprepared · 27/09/2016 12:22

Some had behavioural problems, but some had been bullied in mainstream school, some had moved house and no school place, some were in care, children's home and foster homes, others had mild learning difficulties. Some were just really unhappy at school for no apparent reason so college was a last attempt to engage them.

This I understand but I really don't think it's a standard thing to accept 14 year olds just so they can do something else alongside GCSEs. I do suspect an academy might be your best bet for that. If you did manage to get her into a specific 16-18 college at 14 you would also need to bear in mind the reasons above that a lot of kids end up there. She could well be in classes with very disruptive pupils.

Balletgirlmum · 27/09/2016 12:24

A friend's husband teaches at our local 6th firm called college & she told me they will take home educated children or those having problems in school for GCSE's.

Longlost10 · 27/09/2016 12:25

what sort of circumstances lead a child to chuck in mainstream education for floristry at 14????? sounds very extreme

Original poster
Cluelessmun · 27/09/2016 12:27

Do the home educated children study there full time or do they still have to be home educated.
Having a hard time finding Dd as school even with the La involved so looking at options. She's a very bright girl with high GCSE predicted grades but she's really not engaged at school

OP posts:
Original poster
Cluelessmun · 27/09/2016 12:29

Obviously I still want her to do GCSE maths ,English,science and then a vocational course . Like what they do at a UTC but instead of the technical side ,do animal related course instead

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Longlost10 · 27/09/2016 12:30

Home educated children can in certain circumstances pay to take specific courses in colleges I've worked in, but very rarely. They also needed chaperoning, and the chaperone needs to be police checked.

SootSprite · 27/09/2016 12:31

I'll pm you x

ghostyslovesheep · 27/09/2016 12:31

It's classed either as alternative provision or it's an agreement between school and college

It will be paid for by the school or possibly the lea

Colleges aren't always ideal for 14 year olds and neither are vocational courses

Strangeday · 27/09/2016 12:32

Can I ask why you moved with no school place?

Where abouts are you?

Are there any schools out of area with a school bus?

I'd hate to put a bright child into that environment. You can't even be sure she'll want to work with animals in the future.

Longlost10 · 27/09/2016 12:33

She is not going to be able to do maths/english/science and a vocational course. To do science, you need science labs, you need to be in a school, or a college offering science A levels, and maybe one science gcse retake.

I want to be able to help, but don't know what to suggest. I don't think you are looking in the right direction.

What exactly are her other options?

Longlost10 · 27/09/2016 12:33

How long has she been out of school?

DoreenLethal · 27/09/2016 12:33

I've taught 14 year olds at college. Doing completely different units to my main group in the same lesson. Deep joy.

Strangeday · 27/09/2016 12:34

Yes ghostlysheep has it right.

Original poster
Cluelessmun · 27/09/2016 12:35

She's been out of school for 4 weeks now,hasn't gone back since summer hols. We're in the south east

OP posts:
Strangeday · 27/09/2016 12:36

I'm pretty sure the LA have to allocate you a school?

Longlost10 · 27/09/2016 12:37

Am I right in thinking you are in a grammar school area? You could contact one of them. They do occasionally take casual entries, as there is some drop out, over the years, and procedures to be admitted in year 10 can be quite flexible. Especially if it is a case of didn't take 11+, rather than failed 11+

TheWeeBabySeamus1 · 27/09/2016 12:37

I went to college at 15 to do GCSEs - because they wouldn't let me back in school Grin. That's the only reason I know of, and only happened because my school had a zero expulsion record so they funded me to go to college (only due to the fact that my mum kicked off and said they either formally expelled me, funded college or took me back).

Longlost10 · 27/09/2016 12:38

which schools have you been offered?

OutDamnedWind · 27/09/2016 12:40

As you've probably gathered, it's a very mixed bag across the country. FE in general is quite complex as to the various different routes/qualifications, so it really does depend on what is available to you locally.

When you say not engaged, do you mean really at risk of refusing to attend/being kicked out, or just not a massive fan? It is very unusual to go down the vocational route at 14 unless there are other factors at play (e.g. Behavioural issues, health/emotional needs, SEN etc.)

UTCs are relatively new and again a mixed bag. Some have very good reputations and outcomes, some really don't. UTCs aren't automatically science/engineering, as far as I understand, but most currently seem to be.

Original poster
Cluelessmun · 27/09/2016 12:41

Haven't been offered any school and the la keep saying they will get back to us every time I chase them up but they don't .
We were told we couldn't get a school place until we had an address in the area so we move and hoped the LA would be more helpful

OP posts:
Original poster
Cluelessmun · 27/09/2016 12:43

She's not at risk of being kicked out ,her attendance was great but sometimes is a fight to get her to go to school .

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Benedikte2 · 27/09/2016 12:43

Keep your DD's options as wide as possible Clueless. Most of us are totally different in our outlook, interests etc by the age of 18 from what were were at 14.
Nowadays people often experience at least one change of direction employment wise and so a good basic education is needed on which to build a vocation. The job/career for life is rare now.
Plus your DD is less likely to have anything in common with young people who are in alternative forms of education because they were having problems.
Can you find her voluntary work at a horse rescue haven or similar or with Riding for the Disabled which will give her an outlet for her enthusiasm and generally motivate her?
Good luck