This applying to colleges/for apprenticeships lark has come around quick hasn't it!!

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

I am a little stressed! DS (Y11) is of course laid back as hell about it. I think he thinks an apprenticeship or failing that, exactly the right college course - followed by a wonderful well paid job - are all going to fall into his lap with little in the way of effort!

Here is me stressing about the A - C grades he needs for what he has chosen to do.. (they have been predicted.. but they may be being a little idealistic methinks!) and there is him, casual as you like about it, deliberately choosing not to attend an after school extra session in engineering and taking advantage of the fact that I forgot to remind him!!

ARRGHH!

I have done his CV - which makes him sound wonderful (well he is.. he can be..!) and have filled out 2 college applications for him and I am in shock that is all has to be done so soon.. like NOW.. and I only found that out because he got a Career Plan through from Connexions re an interview with career advisor he had at school. He didn't tell me! He doesn't tell me anything!

I'm probably doing too much for him.. but he's soooo laid back about it all!

I didn't realise apprenticeships were now like gold dust and harder to get than a college course! They used to be what people did if they ^couldn't get do college didn't they? How much it's all changed. My head it whirling!

Anyone empathise?

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

bump?

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

Nobody else with Y11 kids??

[bubbles4]

yes it is hard ,ds only managed to find his as my bil is in the trade and used his contacts. we are now starting to think of ds2 who is in year 10 starting to write to firms as we are trying to stress to him how difficult it will be.however we have found connexions to be a great help.

[mumeeee]

Yes it does come round quickly. My youngest is in year 11 and just started loking at colleges. I have alresdy gone through it with my other 2. Try not to worry even if he does not get the grades colleges often work round it. DD2 17 is now at college doing performing Arts she needed 5 A-C's but only got 4. The college worked with her and still accepted her onto the course with one condition that she redid her Maths.
One thing I have learnt while is that they should fill in college application foems and write CV's themselves.
Help him if he asks but otherwise just leave him to it.

[2shoes]

what happens if they don't get a c in english. can they still get in?

[mumeeee]

Probably you would have to talk to the college/ I know at DD2's colege there is an option to do GCSE English alongside the cours they are doing. Also DD3 is dyspraxic and may not get a C in English. She wants to do BTEC Performing Arts Diploma which is equal to £ A levels. The college she wants to go to also do A First Diploma in Performing Arts which is equal to 4 GCSE's. The tutor we spoke to at the college open evning said she would be able to do taht if she didn't get the grades and then do the BTEC one aftewards. So it would mean she did 3 years instead of 2 at college. sorry for the long post. Hope it helps.

[2shoes]

thanks it does

[mumeeee]

My typing is not very good tonight. I meant equalto 3 A levels.

[ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands]

Yes I asked this when I phoned the college yesterday. They said that he will get a conditional offer.. and then if he doesn't make the grades, he will probably be offered an alternative course with a lower entry requirement