Schooling for a 16 year old

Hello,
My British husband and I and 3 children are past the deciding phase of moving back to the UK and in active planning mode. But one wrinkle in our plans if figuring out schooling for our 15, soon to be 16 year old, who is currently a sophomore in HS. I have searched this forum and British Expats, and most of what I’m reading isn’t good news. That it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to move him at this stage. Problem is, if we waited to move until our oldest graduates, that might be rough on our 12 year old, because he would then be starting a UK school late. Oy vey, it seems a mess!
And helpful advice, or positive news is much appreciated!! We would really love to make this move happen by Summer 2019
Thanks!

Can your eldest attend an American school or a school with an IB program?

Home schooling would be another option.

Hello,
My British husband and I and 3 children are past the deciding phase of moving back to the UK and in active planning mode. But one wrinkle in our plans if figuring out schooling for our 15, soon to be 16 year old, who is currently a sophomore in HS. I have searched this forum and British Expats, and most of what I’m reading isn’t good news. That it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to move him at this stage. Problem is, if we waited to move until our oldest graduates, that might be rough on our 12 year old, because he would then be starting a UK school late. Oy vey, it seems a mess!
And helpful advice, or positive news is much appreciated!! We would really love to make this move happen by Summer 2019
Thanks!

Very similar situation to yours. My daughter completed her sophomore year in HS June 2018. I secured her a place in a Sixth Form College and she started in September. I worked directly with admissions directors and sent samples of her course work and references from her teachers. The college did require that she take GCSE math and English since the only true equivalent to GCSE is a HS diploma. However we were happy with that as they allowed her to concurrently enroll in level 3 BTEC in performing arts. This is just my experience but you should reach out to the colleges and see what they say.


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Both posts to this thread is what I would say

International Baccalaureates definitely are good if you can afford the fees somewhere.

Otherwise, chatting to a local college is good and see what is what. An access course might be ideal? 

Thank you all for your responses!

IB isn't really an option because there are no schools near the area we will be moving too, North West-Ribble Valley. The three schools that offer IB are all around the London area as are the American schools
We will start contacting local colleges, fingers crossed there will be one out there that can accommodate him.
Watersfam, that's really great! Reassuring to here that the college was so helpful, I'm hoping for a similar outcome. How did she like her school? What is a smooth transition?

Thanks again!

Thank you all for your responses!

IB isn't really an option because there are no schools near the area we will be moving too, North West-Ribble Valley. The three schools that offer IB are all around the London area as are the American schools

There are quite a few schools across the UK that offer the IB now (about 200 schools, apparently), and they're not just in London.

Doing a search in the Ribble Valley area, it looks like Stoneyhurst College in Clitheroe offers the IB, as does the Rossel School in Fleetwood. They are both independent, fee-paying schools though.

Thank you all for your responses!

IB isn't really an option because there are no schools near the area we will be moving too, North West-Ribble Valley. The three schools that offer IB are all around the London area as are the American schools
We will start contacting local colleges, fingers crossed there will be one out there that can accommodate him.
Watersfam, that's really great! Reassuring to here that the college was so helpful, I'm hoping for a similar outcome. How did she like her school? What is a smooth transition?

Thanks again!

You’re welcome! It can be a very daunting task getting kids enrolled in the UK school system! However, my experience has been very positive and I have found the schools and councils very helpful. My daughter is loving sixth form college and is already having a more positive experience in the two months she’s been there than an entire lifetime in the US schools. One thing to note if you decide to wait for relocation, you’ll want to make sure your younger child is in the UK in time to start school prior to or at Year 9 as that is the first year of GCSE and key to success in year 10 and 11. I was advised that many schools will not admit a new student in year 10 so we sent our son to live with my MIL last year so he could start school in Year 9. Timing is everything!
Also make sure you enquire about residency requirements. My kids have dual citizenship, but some colleges required that the student be resident in the UK at least three years prior to enrollment to qualify for free tuition. Alton was very accommodating in that they were happy to accept her residency as long as she was in country prior to the first day of school. Sorry if I’m bamboozling you with too much info!  Hope it helps a bit - Wishing you and your kiddos all the best


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Thank you Ksand24!

Phatbeetle,
What is an access course?

Thank you!

Watersfam,

We're really pushing to move this summer so we will be settled before my middle child starts GSCE year, he will be turning 13 over the summer, so its good timing. My youngest will be 8

Glad to hear you had a positive experience!

Phatbeetle,
What is an access course?

Thank you!

A course that gives the “equivalents” needed to continue education.  Think of it like getting a GED.

Thank you Phatbeetle!

When I moved to the UK with my daughter, she had just graduated from grade 8 in the USA. The school where we made the choice to send her was very willing to work with us and make sure she was caught up. She was placed in Year 10, and given extra help to catch up with the current course work.

Our experience was very, very positive, and the schools here ( from year 10 onward to now college) have all been very open to helping us, working with us on bursury information, course help, and just making up the difference in education standards from the US to the UK systems.

My daughter was 12 when we moved here.  She actually adjusted very well to year 8 in a state school.  The issue was in getting her into that school to begin with, as we are in London, many schools are oversubscribed, and moving here the summer before year 8 is not the best timing.  Of course, it may be easier to get kids into school where you're going.