Options for Dss who wants to leave lower sixth at Christmas.

[loubielou31]

I think this is the best area for advice.

DSS gained a decent range of GCSE's 4, 5, 6, 7s (a 3 for English Lit) not the results he could have had if he'd worked harder but he passed and has started A levels in the school 6th form (fee paying) mainly through a lack of any better ideas of what he'd like to do.

He isn't enjoying it, isn't working and has decided that he would like to do a BTec in computer science at the local FE college. His sixth form don't offer any IT based qualifications.
This course won't start until September. What can he do between now and then?
Staying in school when he has decided he wants to do something else seems pointless but just leaving school and getting a job isn't allowed is it?
What kinds of opportunities would start in January and yet allow him to start a college course in September?

FE college sounds a much better bet with those kinds of grades.
Although they are supposed to be in Education or Training until 18 there is no enforcement. Getting some work experience (maybe PCWorld or similar but they'd probably want him to start sooner), would be a great idea. Maybe even try a few different things to check what he does next is the right thing.

But you may well find the school will require at least another terms fees.

We think FE college is a better choice too and that this will be a really positive step for him rather than just doing what he thinks is expected.
I knew about the training requirement for 16+ and this worried me if the next intake isn't until September but if it isn't enforced then a work place setting would definitely help him with a bit of real life experience and hopefully give him a bit of breathing space to be sure of his next steps.

A friend's son got an apprenticeship with BT in their IT department and he is doing day release at college to do Btec in Computer Science. May look at what IT apprenticeships may be available. (Google can be your friend)

Staying in school when he has decided he wants to do something else seems pointless but just leaving school and getting a job isn't allowed is it?

Why not? If he is serious about the course in September I’d say he can leave Sixth Form if he finds a job to see him through until it starts. But no way would I allow him to leave and sit on his backside until then.

Shalom, thanks I will suggest that because it sounds like a good idea (I am a big fan of apprenticeship, DD thinks she's like to work in hospitality, I think that is the kind of area that apprentice degrees will be perfect for)

Mutts, Obviously not sitting around on his arse!! I thought that all 16-19 yr olds have to be in some form of education or training. Your average job for a 16 year old would not count. I need suggestions for what would be allowed and suitable.

www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school

Speak to local college, they may have suggestions for something he could join now part time.

There are various charities such as Working futures and the Princes Trust which run support programmes for young school leavers to help them get into work/find apprenticeships.
What I can't be sure of is whether your ds will meet the qualifying criteria or what would be available in your area.

I thought that all 16-19 yr olds have to be in some form of education or training.

Nothing significant happens if they aren't. Your son will get letters from the council & phone calls, is all.

I would just like to say that my DS was in a similar position, similar grades at GCSE. He considered an engineering course at college but decided to do A Levels. He is enjoying his courses although he struggles with tests. He is now applying for Uni and has offers ranging from BBC to DDD.

So it is worth sticking it out if Uni is something that appeals. Even if not particularly academic.

Try to fit in some touch typing if he doesn’t have a good speed already.

If your son is not enjoyed his A levels & isn't working there seems to be little reason for him to continue & to be honest for you to be paying fees for him to potentially come out with mediocre grades. Both my sons did a combination of BTECs & A levels which have led to places at two very good Universities on courses that they enjoy. Your so will be slightly older than the average student but this seems less of an issue in FE colleges. One of my sons did an apprenticeship after his BTEC/A level so was nearly 21 as a fresher but it made no difference at all.
As for the gap between now & September maybe a combination of voluntary work in something that interests him & part time paid work. Being in the "real" world may make him realise that education isn't as hard work as he thinks & may re-motivate him when he returns to college. BTECs are sometimes seem as an easier option but to get a good result they do need to keep up with coursework constantly which doesn't suit everyone.
Finally I really wouldn't worry about the requirement to be in education or training - I know in my area the authorities struggle to keep up with under 16's in this situation let alone ones 😉 If questioning I'm sure they would be happy to know there is a long term plan .

Rather than start a new thread I am just exploring options for my very unhappy 16 year old.

I have read that it isn't compulsory for a 16-18 year old to attend but the government website says they dust be having training or education of some sort!

DD has applied for an apprenticeship but the ones suited to her interests and skills are few and far between.

So I'm thinking touch typing, work experience in her chosen area plus carrying on her current part time job...

She has passed her maths and English but struggling for other things she could do.

What have others done?

random sorry to hear that your DD is unhappy with what she is doing. It does sound like you have some good plans to make things better. It may be worth looking at the connexions website as they give a summary of the alternative options to school/college. Volunteering is included so that's a good start.
www.connexions-tw.co.uk/moving-forward-options-post-16

www.connexions-tw.co.uk/moving-forward-options-post-16

I wonder if you could find a intro to coding type course either locally or distance learning. It would be the right sort of thing to fit with his interests.

sorry for adding to this thread, but as it’s along the lines of the op, i thought it would help.
dd1 is 16 years old and doing 1 alevel and 2 btecs at school (started 5 months ago) never had any problems with school before, but she absolutely hates year 12 and doesn’t want to carry on. many factors that i have discussed with the school, but as she is doing the minimum requirement, she cannot drop any subjects. she’s struggling to keep up with the work. being studious has never come naturally to her. she’s becoming even more behind and unmotivated and now is very unhappy at home too. staying out late etc. i think shes trying to get happiness outside of school to take her mind off it. we have clashed a little about this, but rightly or wrongly, i know why she’s doing it. her main group of friends moved on to college, so had to join in with a new bunch of girls in september. in short, they are vile. bitchy, backstabbing, etc. i think she ignored it and tried to get along, but one day she just snapped. she saw them for what they were. that hasn’t helped either. she received some nasty texts to which my dd sent nasty replies back. i told her to ignore, but she said she needs to stand up for herself. i agree really, but its just fanned the fire as i think these girls have a lot of followers that are being nasty too. she has repeatedly told me not to get the school involved, as at 16+ thats not what people do and i will only make it worse. so all in all, she hates it for many reasons. she has applied for apprenticeships, but to no avail yet. she’s even applying to jobs i know she won’t enjoy, but shes so desperate to leave. she cannot start college until the next school year starts in september. i just need advice if anyone knows if she can leave without any legal issues. as they have to be in some sort of training or education til 18, what would happen if she took at break for 6 months and start again? i have read many conflicting posts, some saying she can’t, some saying it shouldn't be a problem. i don’t want to end up with a huge fine! things absolutely cannot continue as it stands. any advice would be gratefully appreciated. thanks for reading.

I think the legal position isn't that it isn't actually illegal, everything is just worded to imply that education or apprenticeship is compulsory!

thanks for your reply random. dd has already applied to start college in september. she has asked me to email the school as she is adamant shes not going back. so between now and september i will just have to see if anyone contacts me in regards to her taking a break from education. did you dd manage to sort her situation out?

She has refused to go back...

Working very part time and in the process of trying to get work experience or an apprenticeship!

Pocket money has been stopped, need to de register her from college.