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

Soleil_lune

stormbreaker wrote: »

I forgot to say that my eldest had two jobs in his final year at secondary but by then he had his results. The first was in a local shop, but he was growing out of it. So he applied and was successful in obtaining a seasonal job filling shelves with JL., two evenings a week and working in the local shop on the Saturday.

After the temp job finished a month or so passed and he was asked back.

When he got and accepted his place at Uni , he applied for and got a full time sales assistant post and left school.

Any kind of work experience looks good on a CV.

Marks is one of the better companies to work for and have stores in most big cities. If he finds himself going further afield for further education Marks would perhaps accommodate him there too.

I agree with this, but they have to be careful that they are not working TOO many hours and neglecting their studies. I didn't say DON'T take it... just be careful that he does't let his A level studies slacken.

lika_86

buyitall wrote: »

Apart from the pros and cons of doing a part-time job - does anyone know if the fact that he will still be doing some kind of work-related learning during the induction will have any bearing on the school's decision?

I'm not sure learning to lift from his knees will be an adequate substitute for geography or history in the school's mind. I think their issue will be him missing the curriculum not whether or not he's learning things.

Wilma33

buyitall wrote: »

Yes he has.

Then what does his contract say about training and working hours outside your contract? As he has the offer in writing I think he is in a strong position to politely remind them that he is in full time education (presumably they knew this when he offered him the job) and as such he is only available outside of school hours.

stormbreaker

Another thing to add, as much a A levels or Highers (I am in Scotland) are hard, if there is any intention of him going on to further education, unless you are wealthy or he wants to come out with a hefty student loan, he will most likely want part time work to fund his studies.

Doing something part time whilst at school will make him manage his time and give him an idea if he could do the same at Uni, where to do well you have to be on top of the work load.

buyitall

Wilma33 wrote: »

Then what does his contract say about training and working hours outside your contract? As he has the offer in writing I think he is in a strong position to politely remind them that he is in full time education (presumably they knew this when he offered him the job) and as such he is only available outside of school hours.

They were clear about the induction days from the start. If he wants the job, the dates are not flexible. I do find it hard to believe that 3 full days induction are needed though!

Soleil_lune

Well I am off now for a bit buyitall, but I would advise talking to the school. As I said, it isn't compulsory to attend sixth form, but the school/college reserves the right to boot kids out if they have poor attendance/grades. i seriously doubt this will apply with your son though, as by the sound of it, he is a hard worker - otherwise he would not be wanting a job

Just be careful he puts his studies first at this stage though...

buyitall

Thanks for all the advice everyone

stormbreaker

A bit off topic, and it was several years ago,I asked at the school about taking my sons out during term time for holidays (my OH and I were allocated leave rather than choosing). Although not something I really wanted to do I valued family time and holidays so, would and did. I was told then that if I requested and it was not granted it, it would go down as 'unauthorised' nothing else.

In the great scheme of things 3 days is really not much.

Days are lost for all different reasons. I think this is a very good reason.

In fact I applaud your son at being accepted for any job in this climate. Hats off to him, he must have impressed.

It's a shame that this decision is perhaps putting a damper on something that you should be celebrating:T

supersaver2

I'm a Secondary teacher and though it wouldn't be encouraged I think if your child is a hard worker, good attending and catches up on all work done then they should be ok. He doesn't need permission as such and you can't be fined for him taking the days. Education is important, but so is work experience. If he is normally a good student no Sixth Form will kick you out for missing 3 days for training, each student brings money into the school for a start and a good student can catch up on 3 days work.

claire16c

Soleil_lune wrote: »

Don't shoot the messenger! I am telling you what the COLLEGE said.

And I'm jot being funny, but if you worked 12 hours a week AND did your A levels and did then with brilliant results, then that is nice for you, but this is not going to apply to everyone.

'A' level study can be very difficult and time consuming, especially in the second year, and it IS very important not to put employment before it.

Many students do, and then them AND their parents end up blaming the college or the 'system' for their low grade A levels.

My 6th form had very good results overall and there was barely any one who didn't have a weekend or evening job.

The supermarkets here are practically run by teenagers at weekends and I also used to spend most weekends with 1 night out too.

You have all week and one day at the weekend to do work, it's not that hard.

Plus having that job on my cv helped me get other employment, pay for driving lessons etc

If someone can't get good A level grades because they worked 8 hours a week I don't think it's the job that's the problem.

What I do think is bad are the timings m&s are expecting a student to turn up for.