Part-Time Education

[Avril04]

My daughter is 16 but due to health issues doesn't feel able to attend college or further education. I know you are allowed to work and do part-time education at 16, does on-line learning fulfil this criteria?

[Buenchico]

I've been reading through the relevant legislation and I doubt that online study would fulfil the requirements of Section 8 the Act:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/25/part/1
There must be a minimum of 280 hours per year of guided learning, which is defined as
"a) being taught or given instruction by a lecturer, tutor, supervisor or other appropriate provider of training or education, or
(b)otherwise participating in education or training under the immediate guidance or supervision of such a person, but does not include time spent on unsupervised preparation or study, whether at home or otherwise"

[EDDIE51]

As far as I know you must be in full time education or training until the first school leaving date after your 18th birthday. Which is Easter or Christmas.

[EDDIE51]

^ Sorry Easter or Summer holiday.

[Buenchico]

^^^ Erratum: I missed out 'per year' after '280 hours' above.

Based up on a 40 week educational year, that's at least 7 hours per week (on average) of "being taught or given instruction by a lecturer, tutor, supervisor or other appropriate provider of training or education, or . . . otherwise participating in education or training under the immediate guidance or supervision of such a person"

[woofgang]

what about home schooling?

[Buenchico]

>>> As far as I know you must be in full time education or training until the first school leaving date after your 18th birthday

As Avril04 states (and section 2(1)(c) of the Act makes clear), a 'half-and-half' solution of work and education is permissible.

[EDDIE51]

I think you are getting it confused. You can have a part time job at 16 but you must do full time education or training as well.
That is how places like sports / football academies get away with it, they play sports but have educational courses as well.

[EDDIE51]

My answer crossed with yours Chris . But I think we are on the same track, there are academies that combine education and on the job training.

[EDDIE51]

I also agree with Bueunchico that an online course would not be classed as guided learning. For a start there can be no way to ensure it really was the person in question who was sitting at the computer.

[atalanta]

The matter of home schooling is extremely loose and unsatisfactory. It is worse in England than the rest of the UK. Parents who wish to withdraw their children from regular education may do so, and do not have to show that the new style of "home" education meets any standards at all. If religious parents withdraw children and send them to "schools" where almost nothing except religion is taught, the local education authorities seem to have almost no responsibilities. In fact, local education authorities in England do not even have to know how many children have been withdrawn.

[bednobs]

Not an answer but how will she cope with work if she's not well enough for college6?

[woofgang]

whatever you think about homeschooling, in this case, would it help with the half and half solution sought by the OP? If you are a parent homeschooler, you don't have to have expert knowledge of what your child is studying.