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Boarding school

Connect with fellow parents of boarding school students on our supportive forum. Share experiences, tips, and insights.

How does a 16yr old get a summer job?

18 replies

BoudiccaRuled · 21/05/2025 11:06

We've moved to a new area and our 16 yr old will be free all of August. Any ideas on how they can get a summer job? We are in Greater London.
At boarding school far away so can't work at all during term time.

OP posts:
ItsReallyOnlyMe · 21/05/2025 15:11

If you can get them to attend a week long lifeguarding course (google where these are local to you) then this is perfect for holiday job. The pools are usually in need of more people on a zero hour contract for school holiday cover. My children both did this in their teenage years.

S0j0urn4r · 21/05/2025 15:22

A lot of places need waiting staff for summer.

Inlimboin50s · 21/05/2025 15:32

Pop into every pub and restaurant with your DC and ask if there is a kitchen porter position going. Theres always someone on fb asking for pot washers. My ds gets 8.50hr plus tips so around £10( northants).

gingercat02 · 21/05/2025 15:33

It's almost impossible here (NE England) unless you know someone with a small business.
DS applies for several jobs per week on indeed and nothing 😑

Dartmoorcheffy · 21/05/2025 15:35

Plenty of hospitality jobs at that time of year. Helping at events.

coxesorangepippin · 21/05/2025 15:48

Honestly, he can bang on doors and he can tell people he can start tomorrow

Blimeyblighty · 21/05/2025 15:50

ItsReallyOnlyMe · 21/05/2025 15:11

If you can get them to attend a week long lifeguarding course (google where these are local to you) then this is perfect for holiday job. The pools are usually in need of more people on a zero hour contract for school holiday cover. My children both did this in their teenage years.

Lifeguarding is a great teen job but you do have to attend training every 3 months to keep your qualification so that might be an issue for the OP.

skyeisthelimit · 21/05/2025 15:51

DD(17) is looking on Indeed and applying for seasonal jobs every day, or part time with 4-8 hours a week. Rural South West, so lots of hospitality jobs, but in remote villages etc, so looking for something in city where college is.

Her CV states that she wants 1 day a week permanent, but is available for more days during July and August.

ItsReallyOnlyMe · 21/05/2025 15:53

@BlimeyblightyThat’s a very good point! Thank you. Yes, unless there’s ongoing training locally they can attend then this is probably not such a good idea.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 21/05/2025 15:55

I think jobs like this come about by happy coincidence rather than applying for advertised positions. A pub wanting a kitchen porter for a few weeks to cover the busy holiday period probably wouldn't put it on Indeed. Contacting pubs, cafes, restaurants etc directly might be more fruitful, especially when it's just a casual job he's looking for.

CarpetKnees · 21/05/2025 15:55

I was also going to say, all of mine did lifeguarding, but they do need to refresh their training regularly.

However, how is it he is only looking for August ?
Presumably his GCSEs finish in June.
If I were employing Summer staff, I'd take someone who was prepared to work 8 - 10 weeks over someone just wanting 4.

NewsdeskJC · 21/05/2025 16:09

Where we are, south coast you just walk through town. Always waitressing/washing up and so on going over the Summer.

minnienono · 21/05/2025 16:11

They need to go into hospitality businesses with their cv the week they get out of school, don’t go with them, no business wants to hire a teen who needs their mum to come with them but be aware the vast majority do not hire under 18’s for legal and insurance reasons, independents are more likely

minnienono · 21/05/2025 16:12

Unless he’s willing to work July and august however I doubt they would be interested

DaisyChain505 · 21/05/2025 16:13

Go to local horse yard, garden centres, hairdressers etc.

They’re usually looking for hands on help from younger people.

kalokagathos · 21/05/2025 16:42

My niece just walks into jobs by handing her CV in. On first attempt too! One was a perfumery and the other a local cafe!

wastingtimeonhere · 21/05/2025 18:27

My boys both worked in a local pub from 14. Initially collecting plates/ glasses from garden to, at 16, starting in the kitchens. Both were full borders. The long holidays were ideal for pub peak periods.

BoudiccaRuled · 22/05/2025 17:42

CarpetKnees · 21/05/2025 15:55

I was also going to say, all of mine did lifeguarding, but they do need to refresh their training regularly.

However, how is it he is only looking for August ?
Presumably his GCSEs finish in June.
If I were employing Summer staff, I'd take someone who was prepared to work 8 - 10 weeks over someone just wanting 4.

We have a family holiday in July and they have school trips and a festival booked as well.

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