AIBU to turn down Australia job offer because son has started A levels?

[FergussSingsTheBlues]

My husband has been offered a job in Australia. Neither is us can find full time work in the uk and we know we’ll need to sell our house in two years if this carries on. We are relieved to say the least. We’ve both lived abroad plenty so it’s something we know we can deal with.

The problem is my eldest son has literally last week just started a levels.
There are zero schools or colleges that do a levels where we would be going, it’s all IB.

Boarding won’t be an option or living apart, we’re a very close family and would find that traumatic.

Has anybody else been in this position? I don’t see how we can make this work because of education and think we’ll have to turn it down. (We know he’d be allowed domestic fees for university but I don’t know further information). My son is bright and hardworking and we don’t want to wreck his prospects

What does your son think? Is he up for it?

I think your dh should negotiate flights home once a quarter and live remotely for the duration. By the time his visa is sorted, it would be about 20 months.

I honestly wouldn’t turn it down just yet. I’d look very seriously at an online A level option for your son. If he’s only just started, perhaps he could continue with his current subjects remotely, or transfer to an online sixth form that offers the exact A levels he is doing. That way you could all go together rather than having to separate the family.
And I would definitely get proper advice about university fees before making a decision. If your husband’s job eventually leads to permanent residency, that could make a huge difference. Australian permanent residents are generally treated as domestic students rather than overseas students, and permanent residents can be eligible for Commonwealth Supported Places.
If you were only there on a temporary visa, though, your son could be classed as an international student and potentially face overseas fees, so the exact visa your husband is being offered is really important.
I’d speak to the employer about the visa pathway, contact a few Australian universities and, at the same time, investigate online A levels. You might be surprised at what is possible. If the UK situation is becoming financially difficult for both of you, I’d want to explore every option before giving up what sounds like a really good opportunity.

Can your husband go alone? Can you do more research for your son’s education? I think term times are different out there aren’t they?

Ps. Like the poster above said it could take a long time before you actually move in which time if you stay behind a bit longer his Alevels will be over.

Are you prepared to say where this job is? You will hopefully get more targeted information rather than a bunch of randoms (who do make some valid points).

Is your son dead set on A levels? IB may be a great option for him? I would say that if he was up for the move you should seriously consider it

Personally, I wouldn’t, even if your son was up for it. It will be massively disruptive to his education at this stage. He’ll also need to make a completely new friendship group. I’d prioritise stability for him at this stage. I know it’s an extreme solution, but could your husband accept the job, get started and you and son move over in 18months when his A levels are finished.
Would your son be able to go to Uni is Oz (visa, affordability)? Would he want to?

I don’t think you can just turn it down if neither of you can find work here and you’ll lose your house in two years if it doesn’t improve. There doesn’t appear to be any indication that the job market is going to have a significant upturn…

What does your son say? Would he be happy staying? Or doing them remotely and coming with you?

What about your husband going alone, and either you travelling out to him or him coming home once a quarter?

I think your husband should go and travel back. If he doesn’t then get another job here you can work out what next. Depending on what your son wants to do if he goes with you he may face oversees fees here too if uni is the route he wants.

https://www.britishcouncil.org.au/exam/igcse-school

https://www.oxfordcollege.ac/courses/distance-learning-level-courses/

If he needs any tutoring, there are plenty of UK teachers here who will be able to fill in gaps.

IB is now a popular route. How does your son feel? Great opportunity for you all. Go.

Further to my links above, there will be loads of opportunity to make friends. Home schooling is quite formalised here so there are study groups he can join and all sorts of sport.

Could online school be an option? What does your son think about it?

The IB is a highly regarded qualification which leads to university offers both in the UK and around the world so that's not a concern. I'd even say it's better than A Levels. I'd be more worried about being classed as an overseas student and having to pay overseas tuition fees.

IB is well recognised and accepted by UK universities, as well as internationally. Why are you so set on Alevels for your son? He’d be better off switching to IB now in the UK so he can transfer to an Australian school and pick up where he left off.

Can't he just do the Australian equivalent to A-Levels?

Discuss it with him. Have you got any family who could look after him?

Is this a temporary visa or PR? Are you planning on staying in Australia or is it only temporary? Education is different here. No GCSE equivalent. Year 12 is equivalent to A levels and this gives you access to University. If a long term move, send your son back to school to complete years 11 and 12. This will provide him with the best opportunity of making friends and settling in.

Would the family really be traumatised by your son being at boarding school given that he's presumably 16 or 17 and may be going to university in two years' time?

I think your husband should take the job and you should travel to see each other in the holidays. It is only two years. He can continue job hunting for roles in the UK if he wants. As long as the numbers stack up on that basis.

My DH currently lives an 8 hour time difference away for work. I‘ve started in UK with the kids for educational reasons. Of course we miss him but they need a parent with a career more, they speak to him everyday and we have proper quality time together.

DH should go to Australia, you should stay with DS while he does his A-levels and decides what he wants to do re. university.

Poverty would wreck your son’s chances.

Presumably the job won’t start until January or so? Then you and children can go to Australia for the summer. Back again to the UK for the autumn, winter and spring (perhaps DH can come back for Christmas?). By mid June exams will be over. You really don’t need to be separated for that long.

Yes and I speak from experience … my parents did this to me at the same age and shoved me into boarding school.