Children Leaving School at 16

[2littleboys]

My eldest DS is 15 and will be 16 in June. At the moment he is preparing for his Nat 5 Prelim Exams.

He always done really well at school but seems to be struggling now that he is in 4th year of secondary. His last report card was quite poor, lack of effort etc. He is now discussing leaving school at the summer and one option he is considering is a career in the armed forces.

I just wanted to hear other peoples experiences of children leaving school at 16, at the moment I feel that he is still quite immature. I'm not sure if a job is maybe what he needs to push him on a bit though or do I encourage him to stay on at school?

[ScoopsAhoy]

I thought they had to stay on till 18 these days unless they enrol in college or an apprenticeship/training? Or are the armed forces classed as training?

[2littleboys]

Originally Posted by ScoopsAhoy

I thought they had to stay on till 18 these days unless they enrol in college or an apprenticeship/training? Or are the armed forces classed as training?

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That's England and not applicable in Scotland, however if he does leave it would only be for an apprenticeship/college/armed forces.

[Floridatilly]

My son is also 15 and turns 16 in June. He is staying on at his schools 6th form and doing BTEC’s. His friend is going straight into an apprenticeship with a building firm.
I suppose it depends on the child and the child’s maturity and their desire to stay in education.
When I left school at 16 all my friends and I got full time jobs and went to night school for our further education 👍🏻

[ScoopsAhoy]

Originally Posted by 2littleboys

That's England and not applicable in Scotland, however if he does leave it would only be for an apprenticeship/college/armed forces.

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Ah I see, didn’t know it wasn’t U.K. wide.

[pandagirl]

Hi, I am a school careers adviser based in Scotland - I've sent you a PM

[danisleigh]

My son went to college but then left because he got sick and needed an organ transplant and the college wouldn’t help him catch up. He started an apprenticeship at 17 and it has been the making of him. He is 20 now and doing his level 4 as well as earning money.

[scruffycharlie]

My son is 16 and he has always been predicted high grades until covid hit and all the missed education has affected him really bad, he struggled with his mock exams and has a lot of work to do in preparation for GCSEs. He has decided he does not want to stay at school, he has applied for a college course, but he is also looking at doing an apprenticeship in the army. I am happy for him to do either as I think he has lost all interest in school.

[mrsjacksparrow]

My son left school last year. His intention was to go to join the Army as a junior soldier and attend the college in Harrogate this coming March, however there were not sufficient places for him to join for the career he wanted so he's waiting to join as a regular soldier at some point after April. He never wanted to go to normal college, although he did do well at school, he seemed to excel during the lockdown persiod when he was doing his school work from home. He started working a part time job last summer and still works there now, albeit on full time hours now whilst he awaits his Army placement. He's matured so much in the last 8 months I sometimes have to pinch myself. I believe this is due to him moving into the working world so he spends more time with adults who seem more on his level that the kids he was socialising with in school. I'm incredibly proud of the young man he's grown into and both he and I are looking forward to him starting his full career in the armed forces.

[2littleboys]

Originally Posted by scruffycharlie

My son is 16 and he has always been predicted high grades until covid hit and all the missed education has affected him really bad, he struggled with his mock exams and has a lot of work to do in preparation for GCSEs. He has decided he does not want to stay at school, he has applied for a college course, but he is also looking at doing an apprenticeship in the army. I am happy for him to do either as I think he has lost all interest in school.

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I think lockdown has a lot to do with how DS is feeling. Some of the things he has been given to learn with no instruction or guidance is unbelievable. He’s started with a math tutor this week as he seems to be struggling with it the most.