DS is Year 13 and finishes this year after starting in Y10 - he hasn't always had the easiest time there - it may be his course or just his experience. I have posted before, I wont go fully in to it again - but I feel that it is important to see so-so reviews next to all the gushing ones - seems DS's face doesn't fit and while he has friends he doesn't feel part of the big BRIT family.
He has however, done better than if he had stayed in his previous school, even though he had more friends in his old school. He hates it, and from a parent point of view it is sad to see him sad when he hasn't been invited to another party or someone has called him weird - his future is probably more secure than if he had stayed in an OK high school.
He is very very ready to leave and not looking forward to going back on Monday (they have been on a two week break because the school has different school holidays to other places).
His course is great though - he is doing Theatre and it is equivalent UCAS points to 3 A Levels and has involved more work than people think when they look at performing courses - they did Shakespeare in Y12 and he had to do a lot of research and history around his play, Shakespeare, politics etc as well as the acting - it is not easy or all practical stuff. If their GCSEs are good enough they can do an A level along side their main course - but it is hard work and a lot of students drop it when the workload kicks in.
Being there has not changed DS's love of theatre and he is still very sure about his future being there but his drama school choices are being dictated by ones that aren't like BRIT etc (eg LIPA was a no for him because BRIT people were involved in setting it up).
Of his peers - they are mostly applying to drama schools for next year - some are applying to university to study theatre or related courses. Many have offers already some are still auditioning. DS is one of the youngest in the year and has decided to take a gap year and wants to earn some money and grow up a bit before applying to drama school next year. He did unsuccessfully apply to two this year - but that was more for experience of the audition process and to keep the school happy who were encouraging him to do the UCAS form. When he takes it seriously next year, he will apply for more than two and avoid ones where his worst tormentors end up.
Careers advice and support at the school is very good and they attract a lot of universities, drama schools and business offering apprenticeships etc at the careers fair in Y12.