High School Drop-Out returning to shool?

[Mayamama]

I am seeking advice for my au pair from abroad, a 18 year old who was neglected by her mum and left home at the age of 15, and dropped out of school when she was 16 (no wonder). I have now got to know her very well, and have encouraged her to think about returning to school. She is particularly keen on starting to work as a nurse, or in her dreams even as a doctor, but whatever her future choices, she needs to first complete her secondary degree. Her English is okay -- although I would think she will have to work hard on this as well.
BUt I do not even know where to start -- my own children are still small so I have had no exposure to this at all, having been educated abroad myself. Is there a local government body I could turn to, or is it schools - or colleges? - I should look up? Any advie would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Are you in the UK?

The local FE college would be a good place to start. She may be able to go straight onto an access to nursing course or look at A-levels, which would give her more flexibility. If she were going to try and go for medicine then she would definitely need A-levels, including Chemistry, probably biology and possibly maths. At the moment students take 4 A-level subjects in the first year of sixth form/FE and drop one to concentrate on 3.

Good luck to her.

Thanks, NomDeClavier! This is very helpful. Yes, we are in the UK. WIll look up the colleges directly.

Again local FE they will run EFL courses which will help her English up to scratch. If she is an EU resident she could do an access course to get her to the required level for nursing.

Thanks, Lonecatwithkitten! WIll check that out too. There are some nursing courses combined with ESOL level 3 -- will have to find out what this level actually means.