USAGypsies

Our son is 16 and has just started his junior year at high school (today actually is their first day back). Anyway, all of his friends in the UK that he used to go to school with are now either going onto 6th form, taking a gap year or genrally moving on whether it be a job or training of some kind (which he is quite envious about after talking to his best British pal about him joining the air force - something he is interested in himself).
Of course here in the US he will not graduate until 2010, at best.
Our intention is to take our time over the next 2 years and get prepared for our return and save as much money as possible (wow we feel a lot poorer going back than we did coming out this way in the first place!).

Here's a reality though... if DH get's a job offer before that time and it makes sense in every other aspect to take it andthat in turn brings our move date forward, where does that leave us as far as ensuring our son graduates from 'somewhere'. Florida does have something called virtual school which he has used over the summer to gain extra credit, but ideally we believe it would be far better if he completes his education/graduates from a physical school.

Thanks in advance everyone.

Tootsie Frickensprinkles

Hmm, tough one, I dont envy you this dilemma

Have you investigated how US school work translates back to the UK system? For example, I can imagine a scenario whereby perhaps it would be best for your son to start A'Levels a year late if you were to return to the UK before he could graduate from FL. This would depend on how they translate his work back to the GCSE requirement for doing A's though. I know this isn't maybe immediately appealing, but, without an IB qualification from the US if wants to go to Uni here it will be a lot easier for him to get what he wants - all be it a year late - if he has done A'levels.

So many people take years out now, etc etc that it's really quite inconsequential these days whether you start Uni at 18, 19 or 20. You'd need three years back in the UK for him to qualify for UK fees anyway.

Twigstar

We returned in May this year with a 16yr old. She has been accepted at the local college after taking a skills & development test. She starts her new course in September. They have advised her to take 3 GCSE's at evening classes as universities will need to see that she has at least 3 c's. Also they did have a computer programme at the college where they entered her grades from 10th Grade in Florida in order to get a level for her. The guidence counsellor was really helpful. Also there are American Schools in the UK that perhaps your son could go to? The UK fees do not apply to college only university and you have to have been a resident for the past 3 years. Our daughter is doing a 1 year course then a 2 year course at college to ensure she has the 3 yrs residency.

Ozzidoc

Is this new? It wasn't the case 5 years ago....international students had to pay international fees at 3 different colleges I looked at (one in London, two in East Anglia). eg, at one place I paid something like £100 annual enrolment fee. The overseas students were charged about £4K.

deborahjane

Is there anyone who has returned or returning to the UK from Australia with a year 12 child who has taken TEE exams?

My daughter is taking them next week and we are unsure what they will be worth or how to translate them to UK exams.

She'll be 17 just before we go at Christmas so I think too young to apply to university and also have heard about the fees if you haven't been resident for 3 years. I think she will go to college for a couple of years to avoid those fees.

If anyone can help please reply.