ECDL

[Sunnystars]

Can anyone tell me if the ECDL qualification my dc attained at level Distinction* will count towards the amount of GCSE's required by sixth form/ college?

[OddBoots]

That depends on the individual college, they decide what counts and what doesn't for their own admission. Congratulations to your dc on the Distinction* though. :)

[Sunnystars]

Thank you OddBoots.
Dc is not a high achiever in any other subjects but seems to have a flair for Computing/ ICT.

[Hopeful646]

My DC got a distinction star too in ECDL and we asked at a college open event recently if it would count as one of the 5 GCSE s and they said no. Seems a shame as it’s a level 2 qualification, your college may be different though .

[Sunnystars]

Congrats to your dc Hopeful646.

My dc's school sixth form want 7 GCSE's grade 6 in most related subject a minimum.
Probably unlikely to achieve this.

Local college is no longer offering A levels just a limited selection of Apprenticeships that don't appeal to dc.

Further afield, places seem very limited at other sixth forms to pupils not already attending the school.

What are the kids predicted 4's and 5's supposed to do?

[Hopeful646]

Sunnystars - I can totally empathise . My dc is also predicted 4’s and 5’s . He is a real hard worker but the academic work does not come easily . His main struggle is maths and we are just hoping he gets a 4 /5 in that. He realises A levels aren’t for him so is hoping to to a level 3 btec in business . He needs 5 grade 4’s and over including English and Maths . If he doesn’t get what he needs he will do the level 2 btec and resits . It’s very difficult as you say , it all seems very geared up to A levels . Would your dc be interested in a btec ?

[Sunnystars]

Hopeful646 My dc would love to do level 3 btec ICT but it is not being offered.
Dc is very down beat at the thoughts of having to go down the apprenticeship route in an area of no intrest.
I can foresee problems with attendance and a total lack of motivation if that happens.
I have been desperately searching open day/ evening events further afield but not holding out much hope currently.

[Hopeful646]

Sunny -is there any careers people local to you that you could speak to ? All the year 11s at my dc school get a careers interview with an outside careers agency . They might be able to offer some advice on what is available etc.

[noblegiraffe]

It's odd that the local college isn't offering BTECs, as you say what are the grade 4-5 kids meant to do?

Yes, ask for a careers interview at school. Mine is currently offering these to the students who probably won't go to our sixth form.

Why do you think that places are limited for external applicants at the other sixth forms? Because of funding cuts, most sixth forms that aren't highly selective are desperate for bums on seats.

[Sunnystars]

Hopeful There is a distinct lack of information coming from the school about anything that matters.
Plenty of begging emails though.
Dc says that there is a careers person available but has no idea how to see them. I will tell dc to ask form tutor.

I'm not sure what is available careers advice wise but will look into seeing if I can sort anything for over half term.

[Sunnystars]

noblegiraffe I have been looking at all local sixth forms websites and they all seem to have very limited external places available.
Dc's current school offers 32 external and another only offers 15 so I was (possibly negatively) thinking they would be offering these places to the higher achievers.

BTECH's don't seem to be on offer, which I agree is odd.
Current school only offers PE and college offers PE and Business.

[Piggywaspushed]

There is much politics behind this ECDL thing. It was seen that school used an ;easy ' qualification to massage stats, so it was removed form league tables. As of next year, I highly doubt your school will be offering it.

So, that's the background I am afraid as to why it isn't been accepted.

[Piggywaspushed]

being - sorry!

[Piggywaspushed]

7 GCSEs at grade 6 is ridiculous. Honestly, I read these threads and all I see is sixth form shooting themselves in the foot! they need the funding that come per pupil and yet they exclude students, who with proper support, good advice and great teaching could achieve 3 A levels.!!

[Sunnystars]

Piggywaspushed The school isn't running ECDL for this years Year 10's.
It's such a shame for kids like my dc who have to work so hard to get anywhere.
They thought they'd achieved something to help their chances but it's pretty much worthless.

[Sunnystars]

Does anyone know if there is any likelihood of students being able to take less than 3 A levels?

Wondering if there is even the slightest chance of persuading school sixth form to give dc a chance...
Dc is hardworking, well behaved and has responsibilities within the school!

[noblegiraffe]

Schools were recommended by PIXL to enter all students for ECDL last year to game the league tables. That loophole has now been closed, but it was never really taken seriously as a qualification.

Sixth forms need students to take 3 A-levels or equivalent for funding purposes.

[mountford100]

7 GCSE's at grade 6 is not that strenuous. Most non (super selective) grammar schools at present ask for about 6 or 7 B grades at GCSE. I believe this is just equating a grade 6 is to a old B grade. This is a realistic assessment of where i think a pupil needs to be for A level study.

This is unless the college or school only regards the student as a cash cow and takes little or no interest in outcome.

[TeenTimesTwo]

Our school used to do ECDL but is now doing something else as ECDL no longer counts for league tables.
My view of it was that it covered worthwhile skills, but fundamentally was not really 'GCSE standard'. DD1 got a D* for it but otherwise got a mixture of Bs and Cs.

How far afield are you looking? DD1 travelled an hour door to door for college to get the courses she wanted.

[Piggywaspushed]

Oh here we go with the elitists jumping on the thread.

Most non selective schools absolutely do not ask for 7 grade 6s. Mine included.

We need to move away from only thinking a C or above at A level is worthy.

For years we have allowed students on C grades to do English A level at my place and have just moved to 5s. They are doing just fine.

[Witchend]

It does for some things but not for others. Dd got Distinction* and I think the school counts it as a half.
However they are saying it won't count next year as a GCSE.

[Piggywaspushed]

In fact , many schools are now moving away from such blanket A level entry requirements.

My DS got A* for Spanish (full marks, in fact), , then an A , 2 6s and the rest 5s/ Cs and a D.

Are you seriously suggesting a school shouldn't accept him to study A level Spanish mountford !?

[TeenTimesTwo]

< 3 A levels doesn't count as full time so affects funding I believe, which is why schools don't tend to allow it.

[Piggywaspushed]

And, yes, OP, I'd speak to the school and see how flexible they are.

[noblegiraffe]

My non-selective school has sixth form entry requirements of 4 Cs including either maths or English.

Sixth form open evenings will be happening very soon so I'd go to as many as possible and ask them about their typical external applicant numbers for those places and how they select.

[wannabestressfree]

Same as mine noble. They wouldn’t fill all the spaces otherwise.