To think kids can start college at 14

[Cluelessmun]

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.

She'd need to achieve the gcse standards, and if btec route, 3 distinctions and AS Chemistry. Not all FE colleges would be geared up for both or to prepare for Vet School. They also expect practical relevant work experience. You need to read through the supplementary requirements too. These may vary from one course to another.

Thank you LIZS she hates the idea of btecs,I don't know much about them. She hates science with a passion although she was in too set at her old school and had the predicted grade 8/9 .

She's not sure about being a vet because of the science . She likes the sound of this college course but not sure what job she can get out of it. She knows someone who done it and is now a riding instructor but she's keen to get a high paying job

Obviously the gcse grades will need to be revised in due course.

Yes,I'm worried she's slipped behind as she's only been going through revision books since we moved and hasn't had any work . She's hopefully starting school soon fingers crossed

Neither of those courses would directly progress to a uni degree course. Level 2 is roughly gcse equivalent. Level 1 lower. She'd need an extended level 3 qualification , which is equivalent of 3 A level passes, or to follow up the extended level 2 with a foundation course. Often candidates on these type of courses have additional needs or are otherwise unsuited to traditional routes. If she is academic it might not be ideal for her.

I thought I linked the level 3 course . I'm not good with these links. She wants to do level 3 horse management as she likes the practical side

You've been very helpful LIZS ,thank you . Are you a teacher ?

Worked in FE /adult ed for a while.

I work at an FE college and we do take 14 year olds- the question is who pays for their tuition? If the school is not an appropriate place for them the school might pay, and in some instances the local authority pays. I've seen lots of 14 year olds thrive in a post 16 environment - especially if they are doing a vocational course they are interested in.

Our local 16-18 college does take 14 year olds on to GCSE courses (and maybe other courses) It is often used for students who have been out of mainstream education for various reasons. I know of 2 people who have used it. One was home ed, to access courses they couldn't do as easily at home (eg science) one was a girl who had been school refusing, and they were able to get her back in to college not school.

The disadvantage can be that they are surrounded by 16 yera olds, and that the college structure may not be as supportive and as structured as school.

We also have a technical college here, which is only from year 10. In fact ds is in year 9 and we have had a letter form the council sking if we want to apply, as anyone can apply for year 10 and above.

What about equine assisted therapy as a career to aim for? Or breaking & training? Or studying buisNess along side to aim for running her own yard? Or equine nutrition for the big feed companies? Or a saddler? Farrier? Barefoot trimmer? Horse physio/back speclist/dentist? When I owned my own horse I paid out a fortune for all these

www.sparsholt.ac.uk/information/14-16-programme/

Are you anywhere near here? Hampshire.

Sparsholt is neary two hours away but might consider it when she finishes school as well as Hadlow,plumpton and hartpury (depends what she wants career wise)She loves the idea of one day having her own yard or doing equine assisted therapy.

We found a college that has a school for 14-16 year olds so she can continue GCSEs,waiting for them to get back to us. Its a bit like this but not here as don't want to out myself. 14-16 college .

UTC's generally very poorly performing: 30/37 below the government's floor standards in the recently published DfE provisional 2017 GCSE league tables - and 4 of those have closed too.

Not a good choice.

UTC is the way forward, but none do equine related qualifications. The equine courses I know of are all 16-18. Could she start prepping her BHS stages wherever she rides? Don't think you can do those til 18, though.

There's a few Studio schools around, they do vocational educational. I love a Zombie thread revival don't you?