What would you do

[Wineisrequired]

So my teenage son had just announced that he will not be going back to sixth form . He hates it apparently and didn’t want to go there anyway. I think he should stay due to how hard it will now be to find something else . But he’s adamant he’s left 😥 feedback please as I don’t want to start a war with him over this but do feel he’s being a bit quick to just leave

What’s the backstory? Why does he hate it? How long has he been there? Is he academic? Is unjust because of COVID or something else?

Is he in Scotland? I don’t think uou can just leave full time eduction in England before eighteen unless you have a job, apprenticeship etc?

Depends what his plans are.
Is he looking at college places with a view to either learning a trade or continuing his education in a college setting
Or does he think he will just be able to find a job?

Is he looking at an alternative and fresh start in September somewhere else?

Sit down with him and look at what his options are. Be on his side. You can't force him to go back but having a calm and logical discussion about what he would like to do and how he can get there might be helpful. There are always more pathways to success than you first imagine so help him to come up with options.

If he doesn't know what he wants to do explore what he enjoys doing, what he is good at and the kind of life he wants to have. It's so hard as a parent to watch your children make decisions you don't agree with but learning how to make good decisions involves making poor ones sometimes.

Can he speak to staff at the sixth form? I would get him to investigate what his next plan is. Yes, you can leave but you need to plan the next step before you leave. If he's old enough to make this decision he is old enough to organise an alternative!

ask him what his plan is for getting a job and what hes going to do instead, then discuss it like adults.

Oh dear. I would give him one week to tell you what he is going to do instead, say you'll support him if he has a plan.

But make clear he will get £0.00 support if not in education.

Thanks got all the feedback and I will have another chat with him after work . He did have. a bit of bullying in year 9 but we sorted that . I think he’s finding the coursework a lot harder as it’s a levels I think he’s a clever lad but would never force him to do anything he hates or is unhappy with. He has to be in full time education until he’s 18 and just leaving isnt the best idea at the mo. I also think he will struggle to get anything else sorted which isn’t good 😣

Sorry auto type I meant thanks for all the feedback 🙂

Maybe discuss the college options. Not everyone even if deemed clever is suited to A levels and he might be better suited to BTecs and or trade qualifications.
My youngest hated school, only did enough to get him on the college course that interested him. Then he excelled in college, got himself an apprenticeship and now several years later is doing well in a career in IT.
His old school teachers pretty much wrote him off thinking he lacked motivation when in fact they just didn’t motivate him with subjects that interested him and levels that inspired him to learn and advance his skill set.