Time off during advance education

74jax

My DD is in year 11 (normally the last year of school) and is the first year which stays on until they are 18, so next year she will be in education either A Levels or whatever else is offered to her.

Is she allowed a couple of days off during this time? I tried to call her school today but no reply and all I can find is that time off during A Levels is allowed though not recommended as it isn't compulsory to attend A Levels. However, obviously next year it will be compulsory to be in a form of education until 18 so wondered if the time off rule has changed?

Does anyone know where I would find this out if I can't get hold of her school?

Shelldean

no help but I thought it was the current yr 10 ( my son) who had to stay in some form of education until 18? My nephew who is yr 11 says he only has to stay to until 17, so staggered change like the pension age?

but would be useful for someone to clarify?

debjay

https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school

This seems to answer regarding school leaving age.

Wyre

My son is in current year 12. I wouldn't recommend any time off in this or the next year as the first year they take AS- levels and the second year the full A levels. It is far less spoon fed than GCSE's so missing class work would be detrimental to the independent learning that they need to do.

Shelldean

Thanks debjay, seems my nephew is in for a shock.

I should've checked myself But I knew my son had to stay so didn't bother.


74 jax ignore my previous remark - that'll teach me to listen to teens LOL

debjay

My DD is in Year 12. The school gave us no information regarding the change but she was staying on for A levels anyway.

peachyprice

Wyre wrote: »

My son is in current year 12. I wouldn't recommend any time off in this or the next year as the first year they take AS- levels and the second year the full A levels. It is far less spoon fed than GCSE's so missing class work would be detrimental to the independent learning that they need to do.

But surely all those that now HAVE to stay until 18 won't be doing A Levels, some of them just won't be capable of doing so.

Wyre

I can't answer that one to be fair, the school my lad goes to only takes those capable of A-level or A-level equivalent exams (level 3 btecs for instance). The rest are encouraged to go to college or into apprenticeships. I suppose this may change with the change in compulsory education ages.

Bearing in mind the recent changes to time off during school terms, I would assume this includes 6th form so the young person would not be allowed time off unless fitting the correct criteria.

maman

peachyprice wrote: »

But surely all those that now HAVE to stay until 18 won't be doing A Levels, some of them just won't be capable of doing so.

I think the new rules are that young people can't just opt to do nothing so either school/college, an apprenticeship or a job with some education/training alongside.

OP, I'm amazed that the school aren't answering the phone. I'd keep trying if I were you although can't believe taking time out in term time is a good idea unless 'exceptional circumstances'.

LandyAndy

Wyre wrote: »

My son is in current year 12. I wouldn't recommend any time off in this or the next year as the first year they take AS- levels and the second year the full A levels. It is far less spoon fed than GCSE's so missing class work would be detrimental to the independent learning that they need to do.

However, he will have to take days off if he wants to attend university open days and interviews. My DS2 is in his final year and took four days off last year for open days and already has two days to take off this month for interviews.

Spendless

peachyprice wrote: »

But surely all those that now HAVE to stay until 18 won't be doing A Levels, some of them just won't be capable of doing so.

No they don't have to be doing A levels just some form of education or working with training. It says it in the link proivided by debjay.


This doesn’t have to mean only staying in school, it can be:

full-time education, eg at a school or college
an apprenticeship
full-time employment (over 20 hours a week) combined with part-time education or training
You’ll have to stay in some form of education or training until you turn 18, if you started year 11 in September 2013 or later.

Some schools offer courses in BTECs as well as A levels. I'm aware of at least one near me that does.