DD year 13 hating A levels

[Wotrewelookinat]

She did really well in her GCSEs, did ok in year 12, but since going back after the summer (when she worked, earned her own money, enjoyed the freedom) she is totally demotivated to sit in school for another year, study and take exams. She has no idea what she would do instead of A levels if she gave up now, and has no idea what t9 do in the future...doesn’t want to go to uni. This has all blown up today when I found out she skipped school.
What would you suggest/do in this situation??
Thank you for any help!

Talk to her how basically it is only 2 more terms to get through as the final term is revision/exams so hang on in there and get the A levels at least.

Then reevaluate, she can then either work or take a gap year to decide what she wants to do.

I was the same as your DD. Lost interest in studying once I was working and earning. I was able to compromise and reduced to 2 A Levels while working part-time around sixth form. My sixth form were supportive of this since I had no intention of going to Uni.

Would this be an option for her? It's important for her to get some higher education but if she's enjoying working and having that adult independence then maybe a midway point can be found?

A friend's DC was like this a couple of years ago. He quit 6th form (in the lower sixth) and got an apprenticeship instead. Two years down the line, it was the best thing he ever did. He has a really good job for his age, is earning a decent wage (his starting salary gave him over £1k / month to take home) and will soon begin a degree in his field (paid for by the employer). He can continue to work part time for the same employer so will have an income whilst he studies too.
Don't be afraid to explore the alternatives.

I’d say she has to keep going to school and keep working towards her A-levels until she has a practical alternative. She can’t just quit with nothing to go to.

There are quite a few decent 18+ apprenticeships available nowadays. Fewer at 16+. If she has no idea what she wants to do I'd say doing her A Levels is a must unless she is the sort of person who wil be motivated enough to get herself a decent job with growth opportunities if she gives them up.

If she quits now she gets nothing, no AS levels unless you are in Wales. She is realistically more than half way through now. I would get her to see it as a means to an end, A levels should open more doors and unless she has a viable alternative right now she should see it through.

Ds fell out of love with physics at A level but felt he still had to give it his all to get a good grade in it and show perseverance. Paid off and he realised that you can't always enjoy everything you do, sometimes it is just a means to an end, to get you somewhere else or moving onto the next thing.

She sounds like my husband who is now in a very high flying profession. I think for some people education just goes on too long and they are antsy to get on with life. See if you can get her to go down to two a levels and just trust her independent spirit as she navigates her own way. My husband didn’t get a levels or go to university but if I were to tell you that you would recognise his name it might show you that it is possible to fly high taking what is seen by some as an unconventional path.

Finishing up her A levels will probably be better for getting a job or an apprenticeship. I went to university straight from school but did a course that was popular with mature students. I always felt that going to university later when you want to learn and study for a degree was better in some ways than going because it was a way of leaving home, it was expected (for me) etc. I would like to see government policies that offer better support for returners to education at any age, and part time study of all kinds, than at the moment.

Although I think it's worth sticking them out now she's more than half way through, maybe she could try applications for part time work or even full time work now, so that if she does drop out she can do so to go straight into something.

Get her looking for an apprenticeship and try to convince her to carry on in the meantime. I have to say though, having taught students like this, once they give up the chances of them getting a decent grade are very very slim

Thank you all for your help and input and various points of view. DH (DD’s dad) knew he would never do A levels or go to uni and went straight into an apprenticeship at 16. He is still with the same company and has done very well, will get a good pension etc, though I appreciate these opportunities aren’t as available these days as they were then. Dd has always been very independent and head strong, and is very motivated. She has coaching qualifications in 2 sports. I am sure she will find her way in the world and be successful, but I agree she needs a plan before walking away from a year of A levels.

Having gained coaching qualifications in two sports by the age of 17 sounds like a very impressive achievement.

Are there possibilities for a jo, preferably with the benefits of employment or apprenticeship status (so pay, contract, training, not just exploitation) in sports management etc?

Youth work?

Is there careers advice available through school or any sort of local service? Or an online service that can give ideas or pointers to school leavers, and an idea of what would be needed to enter various vocational options like apprenticeships and practical trainining.

I would suggest looking into an apprenticeship , my son who sailed through school but was just not academic hated a levels also.
He stuck it for 1 year then did engineering , he has city and guilds qualifications ,is treated with respect by colleagues as he clearly knows his stuff , he is 24 and at the moment can earn up to £50.00 an hour in his field.
I think too much emphasis is put on going to university when there are so many other ways to achieve a fulfilling career.
I also agree with your comment that they all find their path in life ,not everyone is cut out for a high flying career ,i would rather my kids be happy and healthy than stressed and pressured to death .

If she has sporting qualifications maybe look at the degrees offered by Wmebley and Ethiad re sports coaching degrees. That may reinvigorate her interest in potentially going to uni.