Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Original poster

Help, disaster, ds changed his mind about college

44 replies

Thelonelygiraffe · 13/08/2023 18:21

Ds has just done GCSEs. He looked at college courses in spring, found one he liked, we went to an open day, he liked it, all good. I expressed some reservations (that it wasn't high level enough for him and he'd get bored), he poo-pooed them.

Last night he says he's changed his mind about college and doesn't want to go. But he doesn't have an alternative suggestion. Wants to do an apprenticeship, but hasn't found one he likes yet.

He doesn't want to go to sixth form. He's definite about that. Even though he's bright enough.

What can he do? Are colleges still accepting applications?? It's so late! Where can I/he go for help and advice?

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

OP posts:
TheSquareMile · 16/08/2023 22:25

Which subjects is he most likely to do well in at GCSE?

I would imagine that they are the subjects he enjoys most.

Original poster
Thelonelygiraffe · 16/08/2023 23:23

Maths, geography, business, science, PE

OP posts:
Ellmau · 16/08/2023 23:32

Would surveying appeal? There are apprenticeship routes as well as degrees.

Surveyor apprenticeships: Everything you need to know | RICS

https://www.rics.org/surveyor-careers/how-to-become-a-surveyor/surveying-apprenticeships

TheSquareMile · 16/08/2023 23:48

I don't know whether he will consider doing A Levels, but, if he is good at Maths and enjoys the subject, an A Level in Maths would be a real asset.

A Level Maths plus a science and perhaps Geography too would be a super trio at A Level; if he wanted to consider University, these would open up routes I think would really interest him.

TheSquareMile · 16/08/2023 23:54

An extra suggestion, just in case he has considered it - the Royal Navy.

There may be something there for him.

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/role-finder

Original poster
Thelonelygiraffe · 16/08/2023 23:55

He might well enjoy the Royal Navy; I'd be terrified for him. But thank you for the suggestion.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thelonelygiraffe · 16/08/2023 23:56

So on work experience this week he's been digging up Bracken and chopping down rhododendron. He's getting bored.

OP posts:
Tilllly · 16/08/2023 23:57

Is he maybe panicking about his results?

Whataretheodds · 17/08/2023 07:13

I think he's setting his sights a bit low and narrow to gonstraight to being an IFA. There are loads of other well-paid jobs in finance.

There's a dearth of people qualified/experienced enough to work on sustainable investment, for example.

He'd be wise to keep options open for university with A Levels

Original poster
Thelonelygiraffe · 24/08/2023 11:34

So, good results! A mix of 6s to 8s. We have found that the finance course he wants to do is offered by a local sixth form college, but he doesn't want to do it there. He has his heart set on an apprenticeship, but he hasn't found any suitable ones. What to do now??

OP posts:
TheSquareMile · 24/08/2023 11:45

It must be a relief to have the results in.

Do you know why he doesn't want to do the Finance course available at the local 6th form college?

Has he said why he finds the idea of an apprenticeship so appealing and what he would be hoping for?

Banks like Barclays have apprenticeships but whether there are openings available in the right area is another matter.

Original poster
Thelonelygiraffe · 24/08/2023 11:49

Has he said why he finds the idea of an apprenticeship so appealing and what he would be hoping for?

He just feels like he wants to get out into the world of work... but if he can't find an apprenticeship, he's going to have to do something else!

OP posts:
Coriolise · 24/08/2023 11:50

Could see if U.K. National Parks are offering any business apprenticeships? It’s finance but for the environment.
https://www.nationalparks.uk/apprenticeships/

Apprenticeships - National Parks

https://www.nationalparks.uk/apprenticeships/

TheSquareMile · 24/08/2023 11:54

In which area geographically would he be looking for something?

AtomicBlondeRose · 24/08/2023 11:54

Has he ever visited the sixth form college? He might have an idea in his head that they’re super academic/like school/stuck up (kids get all sorts of odd ideas) but the one I work at is diverse, friendly and not elitist or very academically driven at all - I mean we are academic and set high standards but it isn’t a hot house and there’s lots of scope for fun, sport and enrichment and good pastoral care too.

HesDeadBenYouCanStopNow · 24/08/2023 12:29

Thelonelygiraffe · 13/08/2023 21:18

Slight drip feed: I don't want him doing an apprenticeship this year as he has applied for a sporting opportunity that he can't do if he's doing an apprenticeship. He must be in education.

An apprenticeship for under 18 is classed as education. It's mandatory for under 18's to be in education so the early apprenticeships need to cover that.

It doesn't count for child benefit though, because they're paid (some quite well)

My 18 year old has just finished a 2 year apprenticeship and it was brilliant

HesDeadBenYouCanStopNow · 24/08/2023 12:31

Thinking about finance and environmental issues, there is lot of work ongoing in big corporations focussing in net zero, it's a balance between the 2 worlds and not poorly paid

TheSquareMile · 24/08/2023 12:39

Thelonelygiraffe · 13/08/2023 21:18

Slight drip feed: I don't want him doing an apprenticeship this year as he has applied for a sporting opportunity that he can't do if he's doing an apprenticeship. He must be in education.

What kind of sporting opportunity has he applied for?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page