Taking GCSE 'S after year 11.

[caringdad66]

My 16 yr old son(y11), is refusing to go to school and says he will do his gcse's next year.
He has been ill, but is better now, and despite school and us ,at home, trying everything possible, he just won't return to school.
He has been offered a reduced timetable, financial rewards for returning , but is adamant he isn't going back.
Can he do his gcse's next year?
Is it only English and maths that are available?
Will I have to pay for any other GCSEs?
Where can you do gcse's at age 16 +?
Am devastated it's come to this.
Any advice greatly appreciated.

It depends. If his school has a sixth form he may be able to resit there rather than move. FE colleges usually offer gcses, some only English and Maths plus a range of btec/nvq which he could take at level 2 then move to level 3 ( A level equivalent) the following year. You can get 3 years post gcse funded so he aha time to make it up. The stumbling block may be accessing the same range of gcse options and schools only get y11s included in their stats. Could he focus on the minimum 5 for the timebeing so he can move on with his peers?

Many school 6th forms only offer A levels, and anyone wanting to do GCSEs post 16 have to go to college.

Talk to the school.

Thanks for the info guys.
Before his illness, he was forecast grades 7 for all subjects.
He now, mistakenly I know, thinks that he's so far behind that he may as well start again next September.
He has missed 20%of year 10, and so far 80 % of year 11.

His confidence has taken a knock , and no amount of support and mentoring is working.

Poor lad. I hope you find a solution

(long story why I looked into this)
There are 6th forms (many I suspect) who offer basic GCSEs in a compressed 1 yr course, for age 16-17. It is a very viable path where we live & I bet where you live, too. Start googling & phone colleges if unsure. The choices are limited, but adequate for most.

Home educated teens take GCSEs as private candidates or go to college to do them/other level 2s.
It might be worth contacting your local HE group as they’ll have a wealth of knowledge/experience of local facilities; the reputation of colleges etc.
Search FB for ‘Home education-your town’