"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

On the where to find part time jobs for a few hours a week, sports stadiums often want someone to serve food/work the kiosks just for a few hours around the match/game.

I had to work right through my GCSEs and A levels. I only got the grades I did because I didn't bother to revise, and they were all still passes.

I got my first job at 15 in GCSE year. It didn't effect my grades but tbf I spent quite a lot of time doing school work and put a lot of pressure on myself. My parents were supportive of me getting a job (they didn't make me or even suggest it ) and it really brought me out of my shell, I made some good friends when at school I didn't have many real friends.

So it really depends on the child!

Mine was retail - 8 hours a week, 4 on a Friday night and 4 on a Saturday night, key times when other staff wanted their nights out.

My DD worked 8 hours a week over Saturday and two evenings from 15 in a chippy so right through her GCSEs whilst also rehersing for a lead role in a school musical. It's possible, however jobs are scarce for that age group until they are offficially school leaving age and have their NI number, so not necessarily that easy to get.

Few years ago now, but definately did not let DD have a job apart from school holidays when she got to 16. I think its important that children have time to be normal teens apart from all of the studying they have to do. We also didn't let DD work at Uni to ensure that she could focus on her studies and be a full part of student life. To each their own, but you spend a long time working.

I worked from 13 onwards and did 3 shifts a week during my GCSEs. Got decent grades. Worked throughout my A-levels, degree and postgrad. I recruit and the number of younger people without any work experience is staggering. We look favourably on those that have made the effort to gain some.

My DS would love a part time job but they seem every difficult to come by for u-16s these days. When I was young (80s) loads of kids did paper/milk rounds - these are non-existent now at least where I live. I do think working teaches them life skills they wont get from education.

Ds has paid for all his driving lessons, saves £300 a month and keeps Pretty Green going 😂

bouncy - I'd say a lot, if not the majority, of young people have to work at uni to make enough money to survive. The idea that it's a parent's choice to "not let DD work at Uni to ensure that she could focus on her studies and be a full part of student life" is one that only a few parents are going to be able to "choose".

Sorry. I hold taking GCSEs or a levels should work simple and why would they. Parents are supposed to support their children financially not push them out to get part time jobs when studying is hard enough.

And again no child taking GCSEs or a levels should have to work. Mine are now 28 and 24 never made them work studying and getting some down time is more important

flab

Nobody pushed me to get a job thanks, I got one off my own back.

I think it's very valuable.

Erm yes margaret it was tongue in cheek - hence I didn't comment. But given that she too spends all hours in her phone in bed, doesn't have a job, doesn't study much (or exercise!) but goes to endless parties, it did make me smile wryly. I think she could definitely learn a thing or two about time management.

You may have done Unicorn, but the OP's child would be being pushed into it.

Why shouldn't kids lay around all day.... Jesus they are going to have to work for the next forty odd years. What is it with this place wanting their kids to grow up so fast.

Er because part of raising kids is teaching them to be responsible and helpful adults flab?

I wouldn't be doing my job as a parent if I just allowed my DC to laze about doing fuck all every day.

Agreed, I had to work to learn to drive. Lived rurally and no other bugger was going to pay for it!

I guess Flab because 16 is not exactly a 'child' and it'll be a harsh wake up call when they leave full time education in two years otherwise. I'd rather prepare my ds a little than see him struggle with real life.

I didn't work, but I did Guides right through to my Queens' Guide badge and also Duke of Edinburgh's award and a whole lot of other things that became good experience on my cv and ultimately led to a good job after University. I don't think that paid employment is the best route necessarily, unless the child wants money for something. I didn't.

Can't believe anyone would make their child work GCSE year. Frankly I think it's a bad idea during A Levels and degree too (except for summer/Xmas hols obs). You do realise that if they get better results they will increase their lifetime earning potential by far more than the value of a year or two of 6 hrs a week at minimum wage???

I had a part time job from the age of 14; only a few hours a week. From aged 17, so during second year of A levels I worked over 20 hours a week at a cinema. Looking back I have no idea how I did it and would not recommend it; but it did give me a healthy income for a student and the ability/money for downtime. I also made some great friends and some great skills that were helpful later on.

I passed all my Alevels at grade A too; so it must be possible to do both!

At the expense of actual work experience that employers value highly...

That's not necessarily the case Idaho. Plenty of graduates aren't even in graduate jobs anyway.

Results don't necessarily translate into better jobs. As the 11k a month earnings threads, there are lots of factors that lead to how much you earn, a good degree being only one of them.

I got a First in Chemistry while working 30 hours a week. How could I have improved on the highest grade awarded, if I had worked less?

Ds is in year 11. Most of his friends don't have jobs. He is very lucky to have a very flexible well paid job but most of his friends haven't been able to find anything even though they'be tried. It's a small town and lots of teenagers........