"Mum how can I possibly fit in a part time job ....

[BigSandyBalls2015]

...... you do realise I'm in year 11 don't you, under enormous stress, with sooooo much revision to do".

Said my DD last night, with a completely straight face, after spending the entire day lying on the sofa under a blanket with her phone, before heading to a mates to get ready for a party

It's funny as she had a lazy day, but at the same time I actually agree. I am no fan of teens trying to juggle important exams, socialising and a job at the same time. Inevitably something has to give and it's usually the study.

You want her to get a job, in GCSE year? I can only assume you don't expect her to do well, and therefore trying to get her work experience as soon as possible...

My y11 certainly doesn't have time for a job.
One evening at guide/scout.
One eve as young leader for same.
One morning with the band.
Two after school clubs.
Rest is homework (I don't recommend GCSE Art!).

They work very hard and deserve their downtime too with book, tv, friends.

If she has the entire day available to piss about With her phone she has time to work.

I worked throughout GCSEs, A levels and my degree and still got a first, but it seems these days that working a few hours a week is an unreasonable expectation.

I had a Sunday job all through GCSE and A level years.... didn't seem to have an impact... (straight A's).... tbh if you need to study that hard that an extra 4 hours is make or break then maybe academic routes are not for you....

I had a Saturday job in year 11, and did very well in my GCSEs.

If she wants more money, she can find a job. Otherwise she can just get by on whatever you're giving her (aagg- once again I'm dreading my kids reaching the teenage years!)

I'm sure my parents thought I "worked very hard" as I was always in my room.... Reality was a bit different, spent most of my time daydreaming listening to music and reading trashy novels

I didn't do 500 after school activities, though....

Plenty of year 11s have part time jobs and do very well with their GCSEs. The two are not mutually exclusive.

It's the days in bed and the parties they need to cut down on.

Mumoftheband your DD is an exception, she has a the equivalent of a job being a guide/scout leader. Most year 11s have a bit more time on their hands.

I never knew any kids that age with a job, they have to have some time to chill! In 6th form we had jobs.

I would not expect her to get a part-time job in y11 unless she was a big spender and there were things she wanted (not needed) that her pocket money wouldn't stretch to. I would expect it if she regularly spent weekends doing no revision.

I taught sixth formers and found those with a job got better grades - they were more focused on their work in their spare time. Those without jobs tended to be the ones who were on computer games day and night, and they got the worst results.

She might not be under much stress at the moment, but Y11 really ramps up.

I had part time jobs from 13 onwards, everyone I knew had a Saturday job at least. I got straight As in GCSEs and A levels so didn't seem to impact me. In those days though we didn't really do many after school activities

I had part time jobs as a student and I have mixed feelings on this.

Firstly, part time jobs are actually quite difficult to get when you're still at school. At sixth form/university you have more free time. My mum had me late and used to bang on and on about me being lazy and not working and my dad used to constantly drag me into places with 'help wanted' signs. They probably meant well but places didn't want to employ school kids, even ones aged 16, especially when you have no means of getting there independently.

Then when I did get a job, it did impact on my work. McDonald's (usually the employers of teenagers!) and their ilk aren't actually all that understanding of needing a weekend off due to mock exams or coursework.

Many require you to finish fairly late - 11/12 midnight - and that can make kids tired the next day.

I hope mine will either not work or only when at university and only in the holidays.

I don't think I know of any Year 11s (I teach them) that have a part time job. Most places won't take on someone under 16 anyway and if they do, they certainly won't take them on for just saturdays and sundays.

DS1 and DS2 will be allowed to have a part time job when they go to sixth form. They'll have more free time then so a part time job is more doable.

Most Sixth form staff will ask students not to work if at all possible, whilst studying. It isn't unreasonable for her to have a day off, it is unreasonable for you to expect her to work whilst studying for exams.

Yes, I was wondering how teachers who after working all week would feel if told to work part time at the weekends!

I had a part time weekend job from end of GCSEs throughout 6th form, and managed lots of after sch activities and got good exams going on to study medicine at uni. I think a job is beneficial in lots of ways as it teaches you to manage your time, the value of money if you are earning yourself, and also the responsibility that comes with having a job. Yes sometimes a bit stressful at actual exam time but often would take holiday for the week before actual big exam.

unless you know somebody who can give her a job with appropriate hours then yes, YABU.
sure working a little would be nice, but it's not realistic

very few employers would be willing to take on a teen for just a few hours a week - regular evening shifts and/or full weekends would be the minimum expected/offered by most employers and that (plus potential travel time) is too much to ask of a teen who already has school and homework, she does need some personal time too

I had a part time job from age 15 onwards. Stood me in good stead for the world of work.

I had a part time job at 16 as did the majority of my school year. This was 1992 so practically pre-history. I didn't do as well as I could have done but that was nothing to do with the Saturday job. I could easily have fitted in the study around the job if I had been more motivated.

I think having a job at school is so useful for learning about the value of money, time management, social skills. When I had matured a bit after university I managed to complete my accountancy exams while working full time. Lots of people study and work.

I'm really surprised that sixth formers are encouraged not to work. What about life skills?

Her sister has a job two evenings a week (same age) and friends are working in various places, shops, chippy etc so it's certainly possible.

My dd is in year 10 and wants a job. I have said no because of gcses. Possibly when shes finished.

Most of DDs friends haven't got PT jobs - they are hard to come by but I think getting EMA is influencing them too.
Don't know if you get EMA in the rest of the UK?
Here in Scotland if the family have income of less than £26k pa (and where we live wages are relatively low - so quite a few families -especially single parents - meet that criteria but then again things are much cheaper than say the SE of England) as soon as your child is 16 (school leaving age) if they continue in FT study they get £30 pw EMA. Some of DDs friends are already saying 'when I get my EMA I'm going to buy ....'
It makes having a paper round/washing up job seem pointless.
I get it is to encourage children from poorer families to stay in education/not be forced to get a FT job but still...£120 pm, living at home, at that age...
I think if DD was eligible I would make her 'pay living costs' (take half of it and put it in a saving account for her) ...and make her pay for her own phone and clothes and maybe school lunch (transport to school is free, she gets £10pw lunch money).