Just wanting to do the best and causes fall outs.

RAS

Savvy_Sue said:

Another question, but do you have to make the decision now? If I'm getting this right, he has two more years to 'finish' the education offered at this school: at what stage do they require notice if he is not returning? 

I'm not familiar with the Scottish system: down South he'd go into what's still called "6th Form" after doing GCSEs, and there would be two years there, with AS levels taken after the first year, and A levels at the end of the second. TBH, I'd say that AS levels were not a lot of use as a qualification because they don't have the standing of A levels - you can use them instead of GCSEs to establish a basic competence, but if you've already got the GCSE then I wouldn't think they'd add a lot of value to an employer.

So if he'd be leaving school with a sort of 'in-between' qualification, I'd question the value and wisdom of doing that. 

And then can you look at the actual costs of the private school, taking the bursary into account, and are there ways of reducing them? It may be worth talking to the school to check whether there is any further help available. Is it the transport, the trips, the uniform that's putting the pressure on? 

Realistically, would he be able to find a weekend job which wouldn't adversely affect his studies? 

That's not the way the Scottish system works. The more able students take 5 Highers in S5, others a mix of Intermediate and Highers. Intermediate being roughly GCSE equivalent

University entrance is generally based on Highers at age 16/17, onto a 4 year course. But students can leave age 16.

Savvy_Sue

RAS said:

Savvy_Sue said:

Another question, but do you have to make the decision now? If I'm getting this right, he has two more years to 'finish' the education offered at this school: at what stage do they require notice if he is not returning? 

I'm not familiar with the Scottish system: down South he'd go into what's still called "6th Form" after doing GCSEs, and there would be two years there, with AS levels taken after the first year, and A levels at the end of the second. TBH, I'd say that AS levels were not a lot of use as a qualification because they don't have the standing of A levels - you can use them instead of GCSEs to establish a basic competence, but if you've already got the GCSE then I wouldn't think they'd add a lot of value to an employer.

So if he'd be leaving school with a sort of 'in-between' qualification, I'd question the value and wisdom of doing that. 

And then can you look at the actual costs of the private school, taking the bursary into account, and are there ways of reducing them? It may be worth talking to the school to check whether there is any further help available. Is it the transport, the trips, the uniform that's putting the pressure on? 

Realistically, would he be able to find a weekend job which wouldn't adversely affect his studies? 

That's not the way the Scottish system works. The more able students take 5 Highers in S5, others a mix of Intermediate and Highers. Intermediate being roughly GCSE equivalent

University entrance is generally based on Highers at age 16/17, onto a 4 year course. But students can leave age 16.

Thanks, that's helpful - I knew it was different, just not how different ... 

However, I'd still ask when they have to make the decision, and at what stage the school would require notice.

AND whatever system a child is in, I'd strongly recommend aiming to have what used to be "5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above including Maths and English Language" - or the equivalent, or whatever it is in the new grading system which I'm not going to pretend to understand. They may not need them immediately, they may never need them, but just occasionally NOT having them will be a real barrier - not insurmountable, but a barrier. 

diystarter7

Hi OP
I'm glad your son is dowing ok.
To be blunt, I'm with your hubby.
The last thing you want is to have a strain on family finances
that causes all of you to fall out and fall into a debt spiral.

However, ask your son, what does he really want. The subjects of interest, what are
the options for a job and pay? No one can live on a dream alone. Children of
your
son's age and older can and do change their mids within days of starting a new year study/course/training.
If he wants to really go for it and can explain to you where there is work in that area of interest, pay, how he is going to stand on his own two feet, then consider it

Don't forget, you are already feeling the financial strain it will only get worse. Consider what will happen if you/hubby lose your job or worse still have health issues that last more than a few weeks.

Education is important but not at any cost.
One of our kids left school at 16, they were not interested in uni etc and we agreed as we have seen many go to uni study naff subject or decent ones and end up with no work or at a fast food outlet or supermarket. Nothing wrong with that but wasted time and money IMO. Our kid left school at 16, worked in their area of interest, as he got a bit older and wiser he knew how to play those tryig to trip him up and bosses noted his potentila etc paid for training etc - sine the age of 20 he goes around the world doing his work and since our kid go married he works for home most of the time and pay is excess of 150 a year. What I'm saying is if you kid is really into it, consider the risks but otherwise let him do what he wants but guide as he goes along.

Good luck.

Katiehound

I want to ask how keen is your son on academic subjects or in fact any kind of studying?

The reason I ask is that there are myriad free studies from the Open University some of which have 'badges' which provide proof of study. totally free and might just give him a taster of what he wants
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses

I agree that education and learning can be the way forward, after all that's why parents of children in 3rd world countries are desperate to learn- it's a stepping stone. Of course I am not saying you are living in the third world!
I think your son needs to know that finances are tight but that he has to do all in his power to use what he is offered. My own view is that leaving school at 16, unless the child is very very highly motivated, is most likely to lead to a dead end low paid job.
Nothing wrong with w/e work, holiday work, even evening work  (if that's possible) because that is a taste of the real world and leads to experience but in this day and age employees need to able to be adaptable to move on to different jobs with different transferable skills. Generally I would say that came with education, age & experience.

You need to talk to the school to see what financial help there is. If you don't ask you certainly won't get.

Good Luck

sheramber

Will you still be eligible for a bursary next year?

Will the increase in mortgage increase  the amount of the bursary?

You can explain to your son how it will be more difficult financially next year and if he is to stay on it must be worthwhile and he must buckle down to work.

There is also the option for him to leave school but go to college for a year.

If he is only taking a couple of subjects he will have free time when he could maybe find a job.

Will  PE and Business Studies be helpful for the job he wants to do?  Will they put him in a better position to be accepted for the job?

MrsStepford

I left school after GCSEs and worked, then went to college, worked, went to college paying for it myself, and went to uni as a mature student (24+) when I got married. It's not a case of uni now or never. As a mature student, you are judged on work choices and ambitions as well as academic results. I chose a degree which pulled my previous work experience together and made it look lke an actual progressive work track which  it hadn't been at the time.

There are also Access to Higher Education courses at colleges and free maths and Englsh courses to get GCSE equivalents. Some colleges will fund GCSE Maths and English.

If your son gets a Level 2 qualie between 19 - 23, he can take up to 7 free NCFE Level 2 courses per academic year. Over 23, you don't need any previous qualifications. 

PE isn't a trad academic subject (and I say that as someone with Sport Studies A level and 3 Recreation and Leisure Industries City & Guilds). Business is entry level. What about an apprenticeship ? It's not just trad industries who take on apprenticeships, now. Maybe a mix of work and college would suit him ?

My husband did an Armed Forces apprenticeship, straight from school. Later, his empolyer paid for him to go to uni for postgrad. 

I think more research is needed, before putting options in front of him. 

I quite understand your husband feeling the financial pressure. Your daughter didn't get to go to publc school and perhaps she would have got the most benefit out of it ? IMO your son needs to realise that he's had a great opportunity and that he can't coast along and let the rest of the family miss out on more clothes, holidays, better food etc because he wants to continue bumbling along.