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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think this girl should be in College?

67 replies

AstridPeth · 03/09/2018 17:58

Dd1 started college today. Her friend was also due to start today but was a no show. Turns out she didn't get the grades to do the level 3 course she applied for and didn't want to do a level 2. Dd's friend has informed my dd that she has got a full time job at the factory that her parents work at. All young people are supposed to be in education or apprenticeships until 18 now so i am just wandering...is this enforced by the L.A? or will she just slip under the radar? It's non of my business but I am just curious. At 16 I am sure it seems really good money but it seems such a shame.

OP posts:

ButchyRestingFace · 03/09/2018 17:59

I thought it was education, apprenticeships OR employment?

happinessiseggshaped · 03/09/2018 18:02

They are supposed to be in some sort of education or training until 18. Im sure if someone asks she will do some sort of 'training' at the factory. In reality no one will ask though. In most areas there isn't a youth careers guidance service any more so there is no one to know what happens anyway.

Logits · 03/09/2018 18:08

@ButchyRestingFace the employment has to be while pursuing education/training/apprenticeship part time.

IfIWasABirdIdFlyIn2ACeilingFan · 03/09/2018 18:14

I really wouldn’t waste any energy aggravating yourself over what other people kids are doing. Take a look on your nearest high street- there’ll be kids skivving off most days getting no education at all, there’ll be kids taking as much brain melting crap as they can find, there’ll be kids there’ll be kids being kept off school deliberately by parents for various reasons. Honestly, I wouldnt worry about a 16 year old who is working.

ShalomJackie · 03/09/2018 18:15

Perhaps she has an apprenticeship at the factory.

rainingcatsanddog · 03/09/2018 18:15

Based on what I've read on MN, she is likely to slip under the radar.

gamerwidow · 03/09/2018 18:24

It’s not enforced there are loads of kids who didn’t get the grades for college, or has their course cancelled at the last minute due to cuts or just don’t want to go to school.
No one really cares what 16-18 yo are doing as long as they don’t have to pay them benefits.
It was a shock to us to find this out when DN lost her place at college because the course wasn’t funded anymore and no alternatives were offered because noone gave a shit.

OpenThatTrapDoor · 03/09/2018 18:24

There should be a training element if they take the employment route. In reality though, no there isn’t really any follow up for those that don’t undertake education/training at 16+.

StoorieHoose · 03/09/2018 18:26

What? So in England you can’t get a full time job at 16 without it having a ‘training element’

Original poster

AstridPeth · 03/09/2018 18:27

No, dd1 has spoken to the girl and it def isn't an apprenticeship. I was just curious really as I know if I kept my younger children off school Education Welfare would be paying me a visit. Just wandered if that extended to 16 and 17 year olds since they upped the age of compulsory education.

OP posts:

StoorieHoose · 03/09/2018 18:27

That post should have had a ? At the end.

MrsJayy · 03/09/2018 18:29

So what stooriehoose said an under 18yrold can't have a fulltime job ?

cinammonrollsnotgenderroles · 03/09/2018 18:30

If she hates education now, perhaps if the factory life turns out not to be her cup of tea, she might return to education later, but this time with more motivation. I teach and some of my later starters have done similar and turn out to be great students.

Original poster

AstridPeth · 03/09/2018 18:32

According to the Gov website a 16 year old has 3 options : full time education, apprenticeship or part time work with part time education. The government raised the age of compulsory education to 18 so no a 16 year old shouldn't have a full time job.

OP posts:

Gwenhwyfar · 03/09/2018 18:33

"If she hates education now, perhaps if the factory life turns out not to be her cup of tea, she might return to education later, but this time with more motivation. I teach and some of my later starters have done similar and turn out to be great students."

Yes, but it's not always possible to go back to education when you're older. Once you've got rent and bills to pay it can be very hard to give up your life to go back to studying and a lot of people do regret not pursuing their education when they were younger. I presume it would be free for her now, but not necessarily when she's older.

Whatsforu · 03/09/2018 18:35

Good point cinammon. Not all kids are ready to apply themselves to further education at that age and waste their time. At least she is doing something.

OftenHangry · 03/09/2018 18:35

Are you in England? The rest of UK has it different.

I don't think it's too bad for her. Some people need bit of extra time. She will be working so that's good and in a year she might very well decide that she wants to do level2 and move on.
Nowadays you can do anything when it comes to education at any age.

dodobookends · 03/09/2018 18:37

My dd left school at 16 to go into full-time vocational dance training on an accredited course, and was living away from home.

A few weeks after the start of term, I got a phone call from our LEA wanting to know where she was and why she wasn't in education in our county. I explained and said that the school she'd left knew where she had gone to train, and they were fine.

So our local council definitely do check up if people drop off the radar. Perhaps yours does as well.

Original poster

AstridPeth · 03/09/2018 18:38

I agree Cinnamon...I think education really penalises those students who are less academic and it seems really unfair. Dd's other friend applied for the same course as dd. In the G.c.s.e exam she got a higher grade then my dd in that subject but because she is dyslexic and failed her maths and English she has had to go into the level 2 course. It's not an academic course so that seems so unfair. For some students after the stress of G.C.S.E's a year out might be just what they need to get their head in the right place to carry on with their education.

OP posts:

ghostyslovesheets · 03/09/2018 18:39

it's not enforceable by law - she can work if she wants

ghostyslovesheets · 03/09/2018 18:40

also the level of written work on a level 3 is high - so a pass in English Language is needed

ghostyslovesheets · 03/09/2018 18:42

The council check because they have to provide tracking data - they don't do anything about it if a young person is not EET

very few council have any support for young people not in education, employment or training

OftenHangry · 03/09/2018 18:43

Once you've got rent and bills to pay it can be very hard to give up your life to go back to studying

They don't have to give up tgeir life in a present. There are so many options including evening and distance courses. I don't think there has ever been better time for people at work to also study.
You are right about the price. Hopefully she will devide before turning 19.

ghostyslovesheets · 03/09/2018 18:45

under 18 you will be very very lucky to find any part time courses you can access - since they are all full time DUE to the RPA - which is a real ball ache for kids not ready for full time options

Distance courses might be an option but they cost and with her additional needs might not work for her

PolkerrisBeach · 03/09/2018 18:45

Nobody will chase it up. A member of my extended family stopped going to school aged 15 and a bit, never sat GCSEs and has done nothing since. Almost 6 years later, they're still classed as a NEET and because they have never claimed unemployment benefits, they are totally off the radar.

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