Forgive, please, if this is already covered in the previous couple-dozen posts:
It's not too unusual here in the colonies for a teen (pre-16) to take dual instruction, then be issued a student ticket on his/her 16th birthday and told to go solo. I don't remember the precise sequence regarding medical or other formalities. BTW, for a glider license, 14th birthday.
FWIW, Dad often had me holding heading in the Howard before I was a teen. It sometimes took a heavy right foot.