Buying textbooks for A levels - looking for advice

[jewel1968]

DD's school has changed its policy and now requires pupils to buy textbooks for A levels. Prior to this they provided the text books for a refundable deposit thus ensuring books were available for subsequent years. No idea why they have changed policy.

My question is does anyone know what Dept for Education says on this matter. The law requires you to be either in education or work at age 16 so does that put any onus of government to make education accessible?

I understand there is a bursary for those on free school meals for a whole range of costs but many families are not entitled to free school meals but are still really struggling. Second hand doesn't seem to be much of an option either.

I know schools have no money but I can't understand the change from loaning out books (with deposit) to this buy your own approach. This change alone makes it hard to plan.

Maybe the textbooks have changed and they don't have the money to buy new class sets to lend out? Maybe they didn't get enough back at the end of last year and the deposits don't cover the cost of new ones? It's not uncommon for students to be required to buy equipment.

Ebay is a good source of second-hand cheap textbooks, or Amazon marketplace if affordability is an issue for you.

My DD was given a text book by school for one of her subjects (not taken by many students) - she gave it back at the end of the course and even she admits it was in a decrepit state (and she is careful with books).

They don't last that well and also syllabi may change, or a better version of the book may come out.

I certainly had to buy DD her Eng Lit texts for A level and also bought DS2 a PE text book (well, two). Yes they are expensive but it's a one-off. Agree re ebay or secondhand on Amazon, or maybe ask around year 13 students who bought their own (perhaps at other schools)?

Ask the school too about digital versions, they tend to be cheaper.

Thanks folks. Yes tried eBay and Amazon. No joy. Have tried local social media group and no joy.

I am wondering if there is any requirement in government to provide textbooks if it is a legal requirement to either be in education or at work.

Will keep checking the second hand options.

And thanks for Digital suggestion.

Have you looked into bursaries? www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund Ask the school if they might be able to offer any support if you're struggling to fund necessary equipment.

Try abebooks.co.uk They often have second hand books at great prices

Is she FSM? If she is -just email Head of Sixth Form and ask for her textbooks to be provided from her FSM funding?

After Year 11 lockdown in 2020 -some school reported that over 75% of students did not return a textbook -schools can't afford to take them to court. Some of the textbooks are £30 each!

IS she isn't FSM and you can't afford it do the same -just email Head of Sixth Form saying you can't afford it -can she have a bursary or apply to have them brought by the school.

My daughter's 6th form college subscribe to a website where all of the books are available digitally, so no one has to buy textbooks. Maybe you could ask if they have access to this?

Thanks all.

Schools and colleges have no money, so this isn't surprising.

If you ask on your local Facebook group/Freecycle/Nextdoor you may be able to find someone willing to give you their old textbooks.

Previously, I have recommended talking to the school about OER (open education resources) textbooks like:
openstax.org but I doubt the staff have the capacity to work with these right now.