6th form - mandatory attendance vs driving lessons

Wonka_2

Not quite sure where to put this but I'll start here

DD17 has been on waiting list for driving lessons for a few months - big shortage in our area and cancelled tests/strikes etc keep delaying things

Most instructors now offer 2hr lessons and predominantly daytime only - often 8am/10am/12pm/2pm and sometimes 4pm

DD is at 6th form and timetable only allows 3 options - all 3 being 8am with her lessons not starting until 10am BUT she has to attend compulsory registration from 8.45-8.50

Approach to school and discussion re pragmatism has resulted in a blunt 'no' and a re-stating that attendance at this time is compulsory

Any suggestions on official ways to tackle vs the obvious 'just do the driving lessons and be absent' given her otherwise 100% attendance and straight A achievements

strawb_shortcake

Does she have a free period towards the end of any days? Our local 6th Form students often get picked up early afternoon for driving lessons.

I know some educational establishments threaten to exclude pupils for poor attendance so I wouldn't be risking that. 

Wonka_2

annabanana82 said:

Does she have a free period towards the end of any days? Our local 6th Form students often get picked up early afternoon for driving lessons.

I know some educational establishments threaten to exclude pupils for poor attendance so I wouldn't be risking that. 

Unfortunately not - her earliest finish is 2.30 and many instructors are finishing at 4

My challenge is about 'poor attendance' as she'll still be in all timetabled lessons

TBagpuss

Do you know what your daughter's school classes as poor attendance? Presumably she wouldn't be having a lesson every day so wouldn't be missing registration every day, and I would expect that there would be warnings before it got to the point of seeking to exclude her for low attendance.

(It's also possible that if she start s lessons, the instructor may have a bit more flexibility with timings. And may be willing to offer 2.30 - 4.30, for example, so she could work around her lessons. 

Do you think that she might benefit from an intensive course? If so, then booking her for one over half term might be an alternative.

It's unfortuante that the school isn't able to be more flexible.

kazwookie

Can she start driving at 8am, drive to the school for 8.45am, then leave once it is done and continue with the driving lesson?

Wonka_2

kazwookie said:

Can she start driving at 8am, drive to the school for 8.45am, then leave once it is done and continue with the driving lesson?

This is our fall-back position - far from optimal but currently the only viable/compliant option

Wonka_2

TBagpuss said:

Do you know what your daughter's school classes as poor attendance? Presumably she wouldn't be having a lesson every day so wouldn't be missing registration every day, and I would expect that there would be warnings before it got to the point of seeking to exclude her for low attendance.

Sub 95% - so one missed registration per week would be an issue even though no 'lessons' would be missed

(It's also possible that if she start s lessons, the instructor may have a bit more flexibility with timings. And may be willing to offer 2.30 - 4.30, for example, so she could work around her lessons. 

No flexibility re finish time - far more demand than supply so they can dictate terms

Do you think that she might benefit from an intensive course? If so, then booking her for one over half term might be an alternative.

Considering it - I did one but then I'd ridden motorbikes for 4yrs before I did my car test 

It's unfortuante that the school isn't able to be more flexible.

My thoughts exactly re (in)flexibility - hence the post

thegreenone

kazwookie said:

Can she start driving at 8am, drive to the school for 8.45am, then leave once it is done and continue with the driving lesson?

I would go with this.  Having worked in a Sixth Form and monitored attendance, to those who were consistently late/missed registration, I said "when a future employer asks Head of Sixth Form about your punctuality and attendance, what will she have to say?".  It worked with most!  Although not quite your daughter's situation, any N (equiv. No show) counts.  Hopefully, your daughter will get a 1 hr 45 min lesson and the instructor is still paid for two hours and can probably do some admin whilst waiting.

Is there no-one who does weekend lessons?  Otherwise, I agree with above, book her on an intense course, buy her/she buys a car and is there anyone who can sit with her for driving practice?
 

Wonka_2

thegreenone said:

kazwookie said:

Can she start driving at 8am, drive to the school for 8.45am, then leave once it is done and continue with the driving lesson?

Is there no-one who does weekend lessons?  Otherwise, I agree with above, book her on an intense course, buy her/she buys a car and is there anyone who can sit with her for driving practice?
 

Current waiting list in the area for weekends is 1yr+ (and some of those offering it have been in role less than 1yr so there's no guarantees they'll still be there)

So at this stage current priority is

8am-10am lesson with 'coffee break' for registration
Intensive course
 

MalMonroe

Your daughter is 17. Plenty of time for her to learn to drive. (I say this as someone who passed my driving test at 33!)

For me, it's about priorities. Priority for me - education.

I think your daughter really has enough on her plate without worrying about this driving lesson business. 

She can either learn to drive and pass her test  -  then later drive past her cohort while they clutch their A Level certificates or she can go to school and get some A Level passes herself.

When my daughter was studying for 4 A levels, she did not have to attend school regularly, as younger students do. It wasn't a case of all day, every day. Just a couple of days a week. And even then, not even full days. She did a LOT of studying at home. 

But surely there can be some leeway with driving instructors where you live? It seems ridiculous that something can't be arranged. Where I live driving instructors are out Saturdays and Sundays as well as weekdays.

School is my priority and was also my daughter's when she was that age. She was also an A student and passed all the exams with flying colours or A grades. Next came the driving lessons.  

By the time your daughter's received her exam results, the driving schools should be ready to accommodate her.

But I'm sure she doesn't want all this fuss and bother about conflicting schedules. It's just not important enough.

Wonka_2

MalMonroe said:

Your daughter is 17. Plenty of time for her to learn to drive. (I say this as someone who passed my driving test at 33!)

For me, it's about priorities. Priority for me - education.

Thanks but as usual your post misses the point 

No education will be missed - purely the administration of registration - and given all that she's gone through with Covid over the past couple of years I absolutely support her right to live for 'now' - education can also come in the future