What do I need to consider BEFORE opting to home educate?

It is a requirement that all young people aged 16-18 are in either employment, education or training. Whatever you plan to study before your child reaches statutory school age should help them take the next steps into this. This may/may not require examinations to be sat to meet course entry requirements for a particular college, apprenticeship provider or employer. You will need to consider the funding for these qualifications - an approximate figure in a local private candidate centre is £260 per qualification. In some cases, not having GCSEs or level 2 equivalent qualifications will place your child at a disadvantage for post 16 as the routes into education, employment and training are very limited without them.  Please strongly consider this when looking at removal from a school roll in year 10 and 11 if qualifications are a part of your plan for your child's education. You may find it more beneficial to work with the school.

There are some colleges in the region which offer home educated 14-16 fully funded GCSEs but entry onto these is subject to the providers timescales of application. Places are also limited. Contact ehecoventry@coventry.gov.uk if this interests you.

What happens if my child reaches statutory school age in year 11 with no qualifications?

There is not a simple answer to this. GCSEs or equivalent qualifications can be the 'ticket' to the next stage but you need to consider the following context.

• With no GCSEs or equivalents, your child would unlikely be able to get on a level 2 or level 3 course at a post 16 provider, instead having to spend a year completing a level 1 course alongside GCSEs in English and Maths. This would be fully funded by 16-18 funding but it may mean studying something that they do not wish to for a year as choices on level 1 courses are limited.
• Be aware that availability of level 1 courses is also limited. Our advice is to apply early. DO NOT leave it until later in the academic year. Leave it too late and your child could end up NEET - Not in employment, education or training.

What should I do when my child is in year 11 to plan for post 16?

• You can continue to home educate. Their remains no funding for home educators at post 16.
• Visit as many open events at different colleges and sixth forms if this is the route you would like to consider. The colleges advertise their open events on their websites. You may need to book on.
• If you know that you are not going to have GCSEs or level 2 qualifications, apply early to avoid not being able to get onto a course.
• Look out for emails/Facebook posts from the EHE Team - we will let you know of any job or apprenticeship fayres that are available for home educated parents to attend. You may need to book on.
• Follow the Job Shop on their Facebook page. They have links with employers and training providers and often advertise apprenticeships for school leavers. This is a way of training for a job and getting paid for it. 
• Your EHE Coordinator will contact you during the course of year 11 offering you careers advice from an a Careers Advisor.  This is available to home educated families from the last Friday in June i.e. when year 11's reach the end of statutory school age. Respond to these messages or message ehecoventry@coventry.gov.uk requesting this advice and a referral will be made. The earlier we know, the swifter we can get to working with your child.
• If you are wanting to sit GCSEs via a private candidate centre, you need to adhere to their timescales for examination entry. Be prepared for this as it requires significant planning.