in my experience, 6th form colleges are stricter than for example tech colleges. You are right it is not (yet) compulsory, therefore the taxpayer is paying for him to be there, therefore it's in the interest of every single taxpayer (like yourself(?)) to ensure he goes. You don't get nothing for nothing. the college agrees to teach him therefore he should agree to turn up! If not, he should leave and get a job. I for one think it's a good idea that they are stricter than in our day