Schooling question

I'm not certain if this is the right place for this question or not. My husband (UKC) and I (USC) are seriously considering on moving up the date to move from 2 years to less. Our biggest concern at this point will be my eldest son. Here in the states the kids go to school until they are 18. My son is now 16 and has 2 years left before he graduates (hence our original plan of 2 years) Many factors are making us reconsider the timeframe but our biggest concern will be how this will affect him in the UK. Has anyone gone through moving over with a child this age and what did they encounter?

Any insight/information provided would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you everyone.

He would be in the middle of A levels at that point.  They are really a two year program, so you can't just join in the middle. 

I am sure someone will be along with more information.  It is probably do-able, but more difficult at that age. 

I would possibly look into seeing if he could at all get his GED before moving to ensure he has a recognised qualification as at this time of moving he would end up with neither a high school diploma or his GCSE's.
What he would do when he got to England would depend a lot on what his future plans are...he could do A levels which are academic focussed and the usual path if he wants to go to University. Or he could do Vocational training at a College to prepare him for a work career.
You will need to talk to local colleges and high schools that have a sixth form and find one that will work with you-- I am sure you will be able to find one or more--- simply because they are used to entry requirements based on GCSE's and you will need to see what types of courses your son will qualify for -- and be ready to fight for what he wants if you need to.

Hope this helps some-- we moved when my daughter was 14 so a bit different but we have been through it and I also work at a High School so have an idea of how the systems work if I can be of any additional help.
Helena

Depending on where in the UK you are looking to move, you could also scout around for International/American schools. Sometimes those operate using the IB system, and they are often used to people coming in from all over with a variety of credentials!
Lots of the lecturers at the University bring children of various ages with them when they come over to the UK, and it all works out!

Depending on where in the UK you are looking to move, you could also scout around for International/American schools. Sometimes those operate using the IB system, and they are often used to people coming in from all over with a variety of credentials!
Lots of the lecturers at the University bring children of various ages with them when they come over to the UK, and it all works out!

Good point-- I always forget this since there isn't one near me!

Thanks for the quick responses. We've just started considering earlier so your information helps. I know about the IB courses because he's already been taking them at his current High School.

I'll do some more hunting though. Currently, we are considering Swansea because of the cost of living, area and jobs available.

We just went through the exact same thing. You must enroll your child in an American school. Here's why. We enrolled our daughter in a very exclusive private school (they call it public in the UK) for what would be her Junior and Senior years in the US. To our total shock when we began applying to US Colleges the response over and over was something along the lines of 'we can't admit you. We can give you college credit for your last two years classes, but you do not have the basic required classes to have graduated from a US High School'. Life long UK students do not have this issue because they have taken those 'required classes' prior to their last two years of H.S., or Sixth Form as the UK calls it.
In the end we found a small college that would admit her and provide the required classes. This means she will be attending college for an extra year for sure.
If we had only known we would have enrolled her in an American school. It's particularly frustrating because we had hired an UK/US schools "expert" to guide us through the process.
Hope this helps.

Well after much further discussion, DH and I have decided we will remain in the states till my eldest graduates in 2012. We will be applying for the visas just prior to my son turning 18 so at least he can qualify under the normal visa. (We've already confirmed this is ok to do with all the normal channels) This is of course unless they change the rules down the line again. At least this way he will have his diploma from the states and can look to work directly over there.

Would have been much easier if the school systems were set up the same way in both countries, but ah well.

Thanks again to all who responded though!!