our son is 16 next week and will be doing his gcse in June next year
if we decide to go to oz (visa allowing) next July were would he be as far as school or work is concerned taking in to consideration that he would of left English school would he have to go back to school or get a job

any info would be great

thanx

jan & gaz xx

Most kids seem to stay at school until they are in Year 12. (age 18). You can leave at 16 although your son will only have the equivalent of a high school certificate and most companies will want VCE results. Of the kids that leave school at this age they will tend to pick up apprenticeships. My kids are all primary age so I hope that this info is correct.

We are in the same position now. My son is 16 and had just left school in the UK just before we came out here in July. He wasn't keen on starting school here. Over here they can leave school after finishing year10. The options then include apprenticeships, vocational studies at TAFE (which is like college), or get a job. Most do seem to stay on at school until year 12, when they are 18. We were keen for our son to do this as we thought it would be the best place for him to make new friends and help him to settle in a new country. The other reason is that he would eventually obtain aussie qualifications, which would make life easier when applying for TAFE or work.

We looked into all the options with him, and as he's not entirely sure what job he wants to end up doing, he's finally agreed to go to high school. The only draw back is that the school year is nearing the end over here so he won't be starting until the new school year in February.

I have been told that they are going to change the laws regarding school leaving ages, and that next year they won't be able to leave school before they are 17, and possibly not until 18. If that's right, and you're coming over next year, this may effect your son.

Hope this has helped, good luck with getting your visas

Tracy

The Queensland side of Leaving School:

Queensland school leaving information: http://education.qld.gov.au/etrf/faq-leg.html#FAQs_2

From 1 January 2006 the minimum school leaving age will be raised from 15 to 16 years or when a student has completed Year 10, whichever comes first.

After this, the "compulsory participation phase" will commence.
This phase ends when a young person -
* Gains a Senior Certificate or Certificate III (vocational qualification); or
* Has participated in eligible options for 2 years (eg. an educational program provided by a school, a course of higher education provided by a university or other provider, a TAFE course, an apprenticeship or traineeship); or
* Turns 17.

A young person's parents will be obliged to ensure he or she participates as required.
This obligation does not apply where the young person is in paid employment for at least 25 hours per week or is under an employment exemption within the Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000.

Thought I'd tell you of my experience since we moved to Brisbane. We arrived on July 1st and my daughter has just turned 16 having completed her GCSE's in UK. She agreed to go back to school here and she thinks it is the best thing she did! She started a few weeks ago going into year 11 so doesn't have many months left until the end of term. It was better for her to go back into year 11 as it has given her the opprtunity to settle in and make friends. The bonus of her going to high school is that she will be doing the childcare course she would have had to go to a TAFE and do, AND it is cheaper for her to do it at high school! She is much happier and has a social life too! In our experience it was better for her to go back to school as the options for work and college are somewhat limiting. Hope this gives you some insight.

thanks for all the info folks its really helpful

jan & gaz xx