To ask how you feel about Yr 11 being cut loose for 3 MONTHS!

[Mavisdoesnotreallyknow]

DD(16) had her last day at school on Friday. Starts Sixth Form college in Sept. That's an unprecedented three months off school!(excluding lockdown of course).

What do you/your DC think about that. What are their plans - will they thrive or get bored?

When I left school in May/June after exams I went off to Cornwall with a friend and I worked as a waitress and my mate was a chamber maid in the same hotel. We had a fantastic summer and came back for Sixth Form. I still look back fondly at that summer. First time I lived away from home but at hotel got all meals provided so wages were for spending on fun stuff.

I loved it! That was me in 2002 and I relished it.

I had to work part time, but we went on holiday as a family and I saw lots of friends. It was great.

@KateTheEighth

Ds's last GCSE (physics) would have been July 2nd if they'd gone ahead. His last assessment is next Tuesday (8th) so it is earlier than usual.

Are you sure? The physics paper 2 exam is usually around the 10th June. 2nd July is very late for a GCSE. Which exam board is he with?

Back in the 80s I left school at Easter and only went back for exams. Some people could leave at Christmas too, depending on their birthdate.

People should also remember that we (y11 parents) were told that exams would be later this year, due to them having missed schooling.
We moved our holiday date back from term time to out of term as the end date wasn't clear.
But then actually the kids have finished earlier than usual.

@Mavisdoesnotreallyknow

That sounds great for some secondary school teachers, Ahnowcomon but a headache for lots of parents.

Teachers wouldn't quite get the same time off because state exams (usually) state after the rest if the school has finished.

It is a real headache for parents. Some teenagers are better than others, it depends on their interests and social ability.

I'm hoping and praying my eldest gets a summer job otherwise we'll all go insane.

@JewelGarden I'm not sure of the rationale but the law came into play in 1998 so it's been around for a while. The Government hasn't adjusted it for this year though so it'll be interesting to see if LA licensing departments are overrun with applications or if employers will turn a blind eye to the rules.

I was really stressed about the amount of time my DS would have off school...part time jobs here are virtually non existent! Then I saw all the bridging work that he is expected to do for his A levels and now tbh I’m glad he has got 3 months off to just chill, be with his mates/girlfriend and do the work to prepare him for 6th Form. He is taking this week off (we also have a 10 year old so doing stuff with him) then next week my DH has given him some work to do for his company which should work out a day a week. He went bowling and for a meal with his girlfriend yesterday. He is going to the gym and playing footy with his mates next week.

My son has not been given any bridging work for his A levels. Considering he missed so much school time and didn’t finish the syllabus.

Yes most years kids do finish school early but then they are meant to be revising until early June. My son was kicked out of school with nothing first week of May. As we are still in a pandemic he can’t travel, backpack, travel to the USA. Bars are slowly opening up but jobs are scarce.

It is a real headache for parents

Not sure why. At 16 they are old enough to stay home alone, see friends, amuse themselves etc.

Ice The full quote is It is a real headache for parents. Some teenagers are better than others, it depends on their interests and social ability.

And that explains it. The reason we had a lot organised for my eldest was that her organisation and social skills weren't up to a whole summer of no structure.

Don't most US kids go to summer camp? Or have I watched too many films

Yes, too many films

Most teens get a job and just hang out together. Younger children are often looked after by teens hired for the summer, or are booked into sessions with their local Park District - day camp lasting 6 or 7 hours a day for three weeks, various sports camps. Grandparents are often roped in to provide care during the long summer break too.

A lot of American teens also do summer school - either repeating classes for a passing grade, or getting pre-requisites out of the way, or doing state mandated courses or basic courses that lay the groundwork for higher level courses during the school year. Or driver's ed. Summer school usually starts the week after the end of the official school year and goes on for six weeks. My DCs did a lot of maths in summer, also dispensed with courses like keyboarding, Health, and I think one or two of them did art courses, all in their high school. Teens who are planning to try out for an autumn sport in school often spend the summer getting fit.

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

It is a real headache for parents

Not sure why. At 16 they are old enough to stay home alone, see friends, amuse themselves etc.

Because I'm not talking about just 16 year olds (plus try the next sentence I wrote).