GCSE results and moving forward - 16 year old overwhelmed

[Quisby]

So I have a 16 year old that is not likely to pass her GCSE's (based on her mock exam results) - if she does, it will be 1 or 2 subjects at Level 4 (which is a low C). She revises at a minimal level if at all sometimes and dislikes school.

Her only interest is gaming. No interest in creating games or illustration of a game. Just playing.

She hasn't applied anywhere for College or Sixth Form as she feels overwhelmed by new people and situations. For the same reasons, she doesn't want to find work etc as she struggles a little with social and communication …

I looked at some sixth form and 2 colleges, they want 4/5 level 6's (B's) - does this mean I shouldn't apply at all? Some cut off dates are today 4th Jan ...

Does anyone have a similar situation or have any ideas? I am at a complete loss as to what to do and am extremely worried about my child's future prospects.

What happens to kids in this situation? Does anyone know?

[LIZS]

I responded on your other post.

Without 4/5 gcse or equivalents many colleges will not accept her or , even if so, at entry, level 1 or to retake level 2 qualifications, in Maths and English as a minimum, perhaps alongside a btec or nvq. Realistically many other students in a similar situation will have additional needs and/or behavioural issues, could this be the case for your dd? She has to remain in employment or training until 18 but even an apprenticeship will require resits.

[Quisby]

Thanks LIZS - Do you know where they do the GCSE resits, do they stay at their current school?

I wonder if the DD/DS's do not ask for any financial support from the government, would they still have to stay in education / training?
(All possible scenarios going through my mind).

[LIZS]

You can only claim child benefit etc if in education or training. Essentially many progressions and employment opportunities will be very restricted by having no gcse/level 2 qualifications. LA can fine if you opt out although in practice this rarely happens. Resits are taken at the 6th form /fe college and the range may be more limited than school can offer.

[clary]

Op plenty of 16yos will not get 5 x grade 4-5, and they all need to be accommodated. Lots of courses at colleges will cater for them - not A levels but NVQs, BTECs etc.

My ds1 was a case in point, he got 2x C and then Ds and Es. He had to retake English (one C was maths so no retake there). He did catering qualifications, progressed really well and is now, 18months after leaving college, working full time in the industry with 15mos experience under his belt.

There has to be a route for students who do less well, for whatever reason. And there is, and you will find it. What does the local college offer that she might be interested in? Early years, beauty, catering, animal care, motor mechanic, computing?

[clary]

By the way I meant to say that Ds1's course required a D (this was old money) in English which he didn't get, but they were still happy to have him!

[TutorMatch]

I have worked a lot with children who are not in education or training and who have no qualifications. Look up the NEET (not in education, employment or training) team nearest to you who will have advisors who are able to access college/education places for young people in complex circumstances

[LooseAtTheSeams]

There will be vocational courses at the local further education college, from entry level upwards, that she will be able to enrol on - they will also put her on retake courses for GCSE maths/English if she doesn’t get a 4 first time round. You can enrol at FE colleges after the GCSE results come out but it doesn’t hurt to ask about courses in advance,

[TheFirstOHN]

DS1 had a couple of friends in this sort of situation. One got a C in Maths but not in English,, the other got a C in English but not in Maths.

They both went to the local FE college. They had to continue studying Maths/English to retake the GCSE, and also took level 2 then level 3 courses.

[lljkk]

What about an IcT apprenticeship?

[TheFirstOHN]

The college near us offers a Level 2 Diploma in Information and Creative Technology.
Entry requirements: 3 GCSEs at grade 3 or higher, including English and Maths.

[Meredith12]

Our local college offers BTEC Level 1 and some level 2 courses with a minimum of two 3's in GCSE's.

[BringOnTheScience]

What has her school offered as advice & support? End of y10 and start of y11 are usually rammed with careers fairs & open evenings. Her school should be advising you on all of her options as they'll know where locally offers suitable BTEC & NVQ courses alongside GCSE resits.

[Quisby]

Thank you to all of you for this information / advice. I feel slightly calmer now. I’ll mske some calls next week when the colleges etc open and see what I can encourage my daughter to become involved in.

[TeenTimesTwo]

Well, she has to do something.

You do need to make very clear that doing nothing is not an option. e.g. That her allowance will stop, clothing won't be bought, internet off between 9am and 5pm, or whatever if she is neither going to college nor working in apprenticeship after GCSEs.
You will support her in education or whilst starting a career. You will not support a lazy layabout.

So she needs to look at college options and find the 'least bad'. What are her skills - how might they match to industries - what qualifications are there? Business admin? Hospitality? Hairdressing? Engineering? Public Services?

Look at entry requirements, some need only grade 3s to do a level 2 course. If she is capable but lazy she might be very bored on level 1, so worth her seeing what she needs and focussing effort to get it. She'll have to retake English & Maths so worth getting them first time round if she can if only to not have to bother next year.

Good luck.

[clairedoeshistory]

If its a financially viable option, I would also recommend a private tutor as they act like a mentor and can deal with the root confidence and enjoyment problems that make school so unmotivating. I tutor GCSEs so speak from experience.

[szetox]

A grade 4 is a pass. Not a "good pass" but still.

But it's not a complete walk in the park to get a 4 especially if she does no work.

Retaking at college is definitely more difficult than putting in an effort while still at school. At college she likely will have much less time with a teacher to help her.

Why is she spending so much time gaming instead of studying?

Also there are jobs where you dont have to interact with people much. After-hours office cleaning comes to mind. Many perfectly respectable jobs.