Is it legal to drop out of school at 15 and in year 11?

[-Adam]

This in the UK btw.

Yes, I am thinking about dropping out, yeah, I know that I will not get any GCSE's. I just feel right in school, I dont feel comfortable and physically hate it.

However, the main reason is family. I live in north west with parents and brothers, but the rest of my family live in midlands, grandma, aunt, cousins, uncle etc... Recently got back from a week staying with aunt, her boyfriend and their 3 kids, which are my cousins.

I enjoyed every minute of it, And I hated saying goodbye, and I miss them so much its almost unbearable.

Anyway, I went to work with my aunts boyfriend for a day, and he offered me that if we move back up to the midlands, I can work with him for 4-5 years, as he does plumbing, drainage etc... and learn how to do everything, as he is on almost £36,000 a year through this.

I was thinking of dropping out of school, and asking to go and live with my grandma who lives on her own, and going to work with my aunts boyfriend, and after the 4-5 years, I would know everything and be able to work for the same company on my own.

Is it legal to drop out at my age, and how would I do it? And please dont just say 'Dont drop out' blah blah.

[matt$]

Legal once you finish year 11, yeah

[Oleh]

Consider talking to a further education advisor (if thats what you call em) and see if they can suggest paths to take (wether to leave or attempt gcses or Alans i dunno)

[dbgtz]

Urm, kinda. If you have behavioral problems then some people dont go to school but that's the only case. School is compulsory for the majority and its best not to drop out, as it's always something to fall back on! To be brutal, just live with it for the remaining 6-9 months. I feel the same in the hate department but I know I need it for what I want to do.

[Special]

why don't you just finish school then you can do whatever you want

[Suspective]

The school system is required to provide some sort of an education until you reach the school leaving age.

If you are in Year 11, just wait until the end of year and get some qualifications - besides you have been working up to the core examinations since you started school.

Good luck.

[Accipiter]

Year 11 is a year that passes by so quickly, if i were you i'd just stick it out, 4-5 years isn't a lifes wage, and its becoming tougher to get into the plumbing business these days, my brother tried with my uncle but there just wasn't enough jobs

[Blue]

No, it's not legal.
But seriously, don't totally give up. What if your aunts boyfriend's company goes bust/you don't like it/some other unforseen circumstance, without decent GCSE's, it makes it much harder to get into another job.

[Catzsy]

I think you can get an alternative vocational scheme - you would have have to check on that.
It is illegal, however, it would be up to the local education authority to enforce it and provided you are 15 now I can't really seeing them bothering. If you feel this is really right for you and it's okay with your family and grandma I can't really see a problem. You could always go back to college to get your GCSES later in life if you want to.

[Kyle]

just move to midlands and go to school there lol :s