Page 1 of 4

Having a job during A levels

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 4:50 pm
by skipsmash
My dd is planning to work 4-6 on Monday and Wednesdays after school, and Sundays all day.

I think this may be too much as she is out on Tuesday and Thursday nights doing sport. She argues she'll be fine.

Is there any guide line about the amount of hours that should be worked during sixth form? I think she is doing too much.

Re: Having a job during A levels

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 4:52 pm
by Tinkers
DDs sixth form suggest that any part time work should be less than 9 hours a week. They’ve said that in their experience any more than that has quite a detrimental effect.

Obviously you’ll need to factor in any other outside activities as well.

Re: Having a job during A levels

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 5:00 pm
by scary mum
Ours said 11 hours, which I guess is a day and an evening.

Re: Having a job during A levels

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 5:03 pm
by Guest55
I'd say that's too much with her other activities. She'll have plenty of homework and she should be spending at least three hours a week on every A level.

Re: Having a job during A levels

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:52 am
by skipsmash
Thank you, I'll pass the message on.

Re: Having a job during A levels

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 11:35 am
by Guest55
Some schools have a sixth form contract students have to sign regarding hours of paid work.

Re: Having a job during A levels

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 11:51 am
by mitasol
Why not let your child decide what they can deal with. If it turns out to be too much they can always cut back.

DS worked 3-5 p.m weekdays cleaning at a Primary school. He played a sport at a high level which involved training two nights a week and usually playing both days at the weekend. He was studying maths, physics and chemistry and needed 3A* which were necessary for the course he wanted to do. He quit working about 6 weeks before his exams.

I won’t deny that I was worried about the time spent on sport and work but like your dd he insisted he knew what he was doing. The job was advertised in an email from his GS so they must have thought it was fine.

Re: Having a job during A levels

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 12:11 pm
by Guest55
That's only 10 hours a week - how did he get there by 3pm though?!

Why boast about his grades? Just say he did well ... more is not really appropriate as they aren't your result to advertise.

Re: Having a job during A levels

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 12:39 pm
by mitasol
The primary was next door to his GS and it wasn’t intended as a boast but to reassure good grades were possible in combination with work and outside activities. I think that overruling a child’s opinion of their capabilities is far more detrimental than attempting too much and having to cut back.

Re: Having a job during A levels

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 12:49 pm
by Guest55
Schools round here don't finish at 3pm, except for the Secondary Moderns because they have short lunch hours! 3pm to 5pm aren't very productive hours homework wise - still think posting grades was inappropriate - they are not yours to reveal. [I've never posted my DS grades at GCSE, A level or his degree classification]

Sorry I disagree totally. A levels are a big jump especially after more than two months of doing not much.

I've seen too many students struggle - easier to get that grounding first and then increase outside activities.