What do children leaving school after GCSE's generally do?

[SoTiredNeedHoliday]

Just wondering what the options are for kids that leave traditional school at the end of GCSEs. I know traditional school isn't for everyone and am just thinking ahead of what options there are
Apprenticeships, sixth form college that's all I can think of..... .

Pretty sure some being in some form of education (ie doing A levels or an apprenticeship) is a requirement until 18 these days.

Young people I know who are not academic as such tend to do vocational courses (mechanical or hairdressing)

It's young to go straight into the workforce.

The options are to continue in education or.... oh no that's it. It has been a requirement for the last ten (?) years that all kids continue in education till 18. That can include apprenticeships.

@TheMarzipanDildo

Pretty sure some being in some form of education (ie doing A levels or an apprenticeship) is a requirement until 18 these days.

Isn't it Education, employment or training? They can't just leave and do nothing.

@titchy, you're right for England (which is where we are) but not Scotland or wales. This is what the government website says.

"You must then do one of the following until you’re 18:
stay in full-time education, for example at a college
start an apprenticeship or traineeship
spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training"

@Pegasusmail where do you find out about these vocational courses?
Or apprentiships?

MrsFin Yeah I’ve just looked it up and you’re right. Employment has to be combined with education or training though.

*in England

Look at your local Further Education college or Sixth form colleges. Some schools offer level 3 btec/nvq as well as A level but not all. At a college they may be able to resit gcses or take level 2 qualifications(or below) if needs be. An apprenticeship normally includes some study time towards a Level 2/3 qualification as well as work experience.

They can get a job. Any job a 16 year old has will include a degree of training and there is no inspector coming round to check.

Most DC who find that A Levels aren't for them and leave 6th form just end up working, often increasing the hours in their Saturday job to full-time.

A levels
Vocational courses - BTECs / T-levels / City&Guilds etc (Can be started at level 2 (GCSE level) and then level 3 (A level equiv) or straight to Level3. Can also start at Level1 if needed.
Apprenticeships leading to qualifications

Apprenticeships info here:
www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/

You need to look near to the time that you want one tho, if that makes sense. So no use (IME) looking in January for the following June.

@titchy

The options are to continue in education or.... oh no that's it. It has been a requirement for the last ten (?) years that all kids continue in education till 18. That can include apprenticeships.

This

Eldest DC did A levels at their comprehensive school 6th form and is now doing a degree apprenticeship. Middle DC did an apprenticeship after failing to get the right GCSE grades for 6th form and now does day release for a BTEC level 3 qualification whilst working 4 days. Youngest DC did A levels at college and went to university but did consider dropping out at the end of yr12 to work full time. All 3 are round pegs in round holes.

The 6th form college I went to did a load of science / normal education type courses, but also agriculture, horticulture, mechanical courses, engineering, hairdressing, catering - all sorts of stuff.

I'd think if you google 6th form colleges near you you should be able to see if particular ones have particular facilities for vocational stuff. The one I went to had hairdressing salons and a restaurant for the public to use, for students to practice.

Some school sixth forms will do, or have partnerships with more vocational courses, as well as A levels.
Look at school and college websites.

DD going to a local theatre to do an acting Btec. But of course Btecs are being scrapped for future year groups.
You just need to google your local colleges and see what courses they offer.