Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Scotsnet

Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

sqa exams 2023

811 replies

NicolaSturGONE · 05/03/2023 15:50

So only about 2 months til the final exams so starting a thread to discuss revision, exams etc.

Have any schools released details of easter revision classes yet? I've heard nothing from our school and don't know if they are doing any. If they aren't, I might look at what else is on offer over easter.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
TooOldForThisNonsense · 27/08/2023 21:50

Oh that’s terrible. Poor kid. Not sure on the technicalities but I just perhaps naively assumed anyone who wanted could do s6. Can he try another school? Shouldn’t have to but…

user143777534 · 27/08/2023 21:50

Is it possible it’s a misunderstanding?

gawditswindy · 27/08/2023 21:54

thaegumathteth · 27/08/2023 21:39

Does anyone know the 'rules' for entry into s6 if a kid has failed s5 Highers?

Ds's friend has been told he's not welcome in s6 and should get a job. He really wants to resit. They are being very unhelpful and his dad was diagnosed with late stage cancer earlier this year so it's a lot.

Anyone any advice?

Is it a private school? Because that's absolutely shocking if it's state.

thaegumathteth · 27/08/2023 22:31

Thanks all. Not a private school no. Sadly no option of another school as none nearby.

Definitely not a misunderstanding - his mum spoke to teacher and they were very dismissive and unhelpful.

thaegumathteth · 27/08/2023 22:32

ForbiddenColour · 27/08/2023 21:52

i don't see why he couldn't go back for S6 - shocking of the school.

Look at this link there are a few help line numbers:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/guide-parents-school-attendance/pages/6/

Will do - thanks

VeeandBee · 27/08/2023 22:43

Is it purely academically having failed the highers @thaegumathteth ? There's not been behavioural issues, not applying himself and distracting others?

A colleague's son couldn't return to his state school for S6 as he'd basically mucked about the whole of S5 and school said now he was 17 they were no longer obliged to have him there. He went on to college

If it's purely the academic side then that is dreadful and he should be given a chance to retake some exams.

thaegumathteth · 27/08/2023 22:59

Definitely didn't apply himself but he's very shy and quiet. Also he's only 16 if that makes a difference.

sassanach · 28/08/2023 08:26

if he is 16 on or before, 29 september, he can leave now and no, they don't have to keep him in the school.
if he is 16 aftter then, but before 28 February, he has to stay in education, but they can suggest he go to college instead.
Let him speak to his local careers office about apprenticeships, so he can still get qualifications whilst working.
Look at the www.apprenticeships.scot website and narrow it down by postcode and distance willing to travel.

Apprenticeships | Apprenticeships.scot: Work, Learn & Earn

Get the skills and experience employers want with an apprenticeship.

http://www.apprenticeships.scot

trmacc · 28/08/2023 11:45

I think you need to go back to the school and insist he is allowed to stay and resit his Highers. Sounds to me like the school is trying to "protect" themselves, they won't want him staying on in case he gets poor grades again and brings down the school rankings or whatever they are. I have found the support for S6 students to be appalling in our school and I think that is pretty common. They only seem to care about first sitting higher results and if you mucked that up then bad luck. If you need to get local education department involved, the school can't just kick him out if he wants to make a better go of it. ALSO if Dad is ill that should be taken into consideration anyway.

thaegumathteth · 28/08/2023 11:46

Thanks both.

@sassanach do you have a link for that info?

sassanach · 28/08/2023 12:38

I'm out at the moment but if you were to google Scottish school leaving dates, you should find what you need

thaegumathteth · 28/08/2023 12:53

sassanach · 28/08/2023 12:38

I'm out at the moment but if you were to google Scottish school leaving dates, you should find what you need

Thanks but that only tells me he can leave school which obviously he can because he's just finished s5. I can't find link that says he is not entitled to enter s6.

user143777534 · 28/08/2023 13:50

@thaegumathteth found this at enquire.org.uk but not sure if it is only for kids who already have additional support in place. Well worth giving them a phone I would think.

user143777534 · 28/08/2023 13:52

Sorry - screenshot won’t load. Text here ..

When can my child leave school?
If your child turns 16 between 1 March and 30 September, they can leave school after 31 May of that year. If they turn 16 between 1 October and the end of February, they can leave at the start of the Christmas holidays in that school year.

Does my child have the right to stay on at school after they turn 16?
Although there is no explicit right to school education after the age of 16, young people do have the right to remain in school if they are already in a school that is either:

run by a local authority, or
a grant-aided or independent special school, and their place is funded by a local authority.

Many young people choose to stay on at school after they turn 16. This is because they feel the school can continue to provide them with the education and skills they need for adult life.

thaegumathteth · 28/08/2023 13:52

user143777534 · 28/08/2023 13:50

@thaegumathteth found this at enquire.org.uk but not sure if it is only for kids who already have additional support in place. Well worth giving them a phone I would think.

Thanks!

thaegumathteth · 28/08/2023 14:03

Thanks @user143777534 that's really helpful. His sister is in the same school but a couple years below so it's tricky because whatever happens the family need to maintain a relationship with the headteacher.

user143777534 · 31/08/2023 14:01

How did you get on @thaegumathteth ? Any luck? I feel very invested in this poor kids future. Bloody awful of the school.

thaegumathteth · 31/08/2023 14:12

user143777534 · 31/08/2023 14:01

How did you get on @thaegumathteth ? Any luck? I feel very invested in this poor kids future. Bloody awful of the school.

I'm not too sure tbh I've passed all info on but don't want to keep asking. Thanks for thinking of him.

IWillNoLie · 31/08/2023 17:05

thaegumathteth · 27/08/2023 21:39

Does anyone know the 'rules' for entry into s6 if a kid has failed s5 Highers?

Ds's friend has been told he's not welcome in s6 and should get a job. He really wants to resit. They are being very unhelpful and his dad was diagnosed with late stage cancer earlier this year so it's a lot.

Anyone any advice?

Assuming state school, they don’t have to accept a new pupil in S6 but they cannot stop one staying on. I know quite a few young adults with ASN who have stayed despite not working at Higher level. Often the courses on offer are not the best for this group and college may offer better alternatives but that can require a level of independence or travel they are not ready for. But I don’t know whether they have to allow you to take a certain course - I imagine they could make it very difficult if they are determined they don’t want you. What is your local FE college like?

IWillNoLie · 31/08/2023 17:19

user143777534 · 28/08/2023 13:50

@thaegumathteth found this at enquire.org.uk but not sure if it is only for kids who already have additional support in place. Well worth giving them a phone I would think.

If his father has late stage cancer then he likely does have ASN, and be a young carer (as will be his sister).

Legal definition of additional support needs
Additional support needs
1.-(1) A child or young person has additional support needs for the purposes of this Act where, for whatever reason, the child or young person is, or is likely to be, unable without the provision of additional support to benefit from school education provided or to be provided for the child or young person.
…
14. Some children and young people will require additional support from agencies from outwith education services if they are to make progress. This support may be provided outwith an educational setting. Some examples are:

  • counselling provided by a voluntary agency for a child who has been bereaved and needs support to help her overcome difficulties in school
… 20. Family circumstances may give rise to additional support needs; for example, where a child’s or young person’s home life is disrupted by poverty, homelessness, domestic abuse, parental alcohol or drug misuse or parental mental or physical health problems.
TheTrees1 · 31/08/2023 19:17

trmacc · 28/08/2023 11:45

I think you need to go back to the school and insist he is allowed to stay and resit his Highers. Sounds to me like the school is trying to "protect" themselves, they won't want him staying on in case he gets poor grades again and brings down the school rankings or whatever they are. I have found the support for S6 students to be appalling in our school and I think that is pretty common. They only seem to care about first sitting higher results and if you mucked that up then bad luck. If you need to get local education department involved, the school can't just kick him out if he wants to make a better go of it. ALSO if Dad is ill that should be taken into consideration anyway.

Wouldn't make any difference to a school's results. It is based on % of roll in S4 to stop schools doing things like this.

thaegumathteth · 31/08/2023 23:33

Thank you @IWillNoLie that's really helpful. I'll email the links over to her.

I'm not sure on FE colleges as I don't actually live nearby. They're rural though so I suspect not brilliant.

Very interesting about the ASN and his dad. He isn't a carer or anything but obviously is affected by it all,

IWillNoLie · 31/08/2023 23:43

thaegumathteth · 31/08/2023 23:33

Thank you @IWillNoLie that's really helpful. I'll email the links over to her.

I'm not sure on FE colleges as I don't actually live nearby. They're rural though so I suspect not brilliant.

Very interesting about the ASN and his dad. He isn't a carer or anything but obviously is affected by it all,

It is very likely he is a young carer if he is support his father or providing additional support to his mother to help her care for his father. This link gives an idea of what counts. https://www.mygov.scot/young-carer-grant/what-a-young-carer-is

He can also sign up to the young Scot carer package (not that exciting but if you check in they has some good things pop up from time to time):

https://young.scot/get-informed/a-step-by-step-guide-on-signing-up-for-the-young-carers-package/

What a young carer is

Who can apply for Young Carer Grant and how to apply.

https://www.mygov.scot/young-carer-grant/what-a-young-carer-is