Is a 16 year old allowed to miss school for induction days for a part-time job?

buyitall

Hello,
My son is 16 and started doing his A Levels at 6th form in September (the 6th form is part of the same school he went to from 11-16). He has successfully applied for a weekend job at M & S, which he is due to start at the beginning of November.
The only trouble is, in order to do the weekend job, he has to do 3 full days induction instore, which take place on a Mon,Tues and Wed in school time.
We have already asked M & S if he can do the days in half term, but that is not possible - if he wants the job, the scheduling of the induction days are non-negotiable.
Does anyone know what the regulations are about him missing school in order to do the induction?
Thanks for any advice

Sharon87

Well a few years ago it would have been ok, but A Levels are complusory these days (I think, or it's about to be). However it is unreasonable for a Saturday job to expect them to do days during the week.

Personally if I really wanted the job I'd go for it. Not sure the legalities of it though!

marybelle01

Sharon87 wrote: »

Well a few years ago it would have been ok, but A Levels are complusory these days (I think, or it's about to be). However it is unreasonable for a Saturday job to expect them to do days during the week.

Personally if I really wanted the job I'd go for it. Not sure the legalities of it though!

I don't know when you were in school, but in 1979 when I was doing A levels, we'd have been kicked out for choosing a part-time job over our education. And that was just at the local comprehensive...

OP - the only people who can answer this are the school. They have their rules. My friends kids school kick them out permanently for any time off unless they are sick - and that is a PRIMARY school! I also wouldn't recommend lying - schools are worse than work and someone will always split! Talk to the school and see if it is negotiable. If it isn't, your child has to decide which is more important. I know which I would pick.

DCFC79

Speak to the school but don't expect it to be a yes. I'm surprised m&s aren't willing to be flexible when they know he's at sixth form. I was allowed to do my training in my first job in the evenings and saturday eg my normal hours.

Well done for getting a job offer.

themull1

Can he not just go on the sick for three days?

buyitall

I don't want him to have to lie when he goes back to school.

[Deleted User]

So Marks & Spencer are now recruiting 16 year olds but making no allowances for the fact that they are not available for work during term time?
I thought this was the reason most major retailers required even part-time workers to be eighteen plus?

Sharon87

marybelle01 wrote: »

I don't know when you were in school, but in 1979 when I was doing A levels, we'd have been kicked out for choosing a part-time job over our education. And that was just at the local comprehensive...

I went to college instead of sixth form in 2003-5. Their attitude was 'we're not going to keep you here if you don't want to be'. They weren't going to reprimand you if you had a few days off. You did have to keep your attendance up to a certain level over the year to carry on into the 2nd year though. One of my days I only had one class! So to miss that wasn't as bad as missing a whole day's of classes.

AP007

buyitall wrote: »

I don't want him to have to lie when he goes back to school.

then he should have a chat with head of year and say he will take work home to do and catch up.

Southend1

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

So Marks & Spencer are now recruiting 16 year olds but making no allowances for the fact that they are not available for work during term time?
I thought this was the reason most major retailers required even part-time workers to be eighteen plus?

I think you'll find they've always recruited 16 year olds, it's nothing new.

They are available for work during term time: evenings and weekends in particular.

Employers can only require employees to be 18+ if there is a lawful reason for doing so.

paddedjohn

OP, I'm sure the head of the school can allow the leave in exceptional circumstances, 3 days off to train for the workplace seems like a good enough reason but the only person who can give you a straight answer is the head.