A levels or apprenticeship

@Whatnextcrazyworld
Dh did a business admin apprenticeship (a good few years ago now) whilst also studying finance qualifications (paid for by employers), once we had finished the level 3, he began a degree level apprenticeship, and now earns 6 figures in a highly regarded finance role, with a different employer. I would say the majority of apprenticeships are well regarded, but wouldn't recommend ones such as customer service (telemarketing) or food ones (fast food).

Yes to apprenticeships! You can even do degree level ones once he has finished his level 3 so he wouldn't need to go to uni but can still get a degree.

A couple of other Business admin apprentices also left to take up college courses: one to become a teacher, one to become a sports coach. It can open all sorts of doors if you choose carefully.

Where I worked until last year, we had former apprentices who went on to do degrees after completing their apprenticeship. One in Engineering, one in Business Studies.
The Engineering one was done via day-release and was fully funded by the employer. The other one was via the OU, and she preferred to fund it herself and do it all in her own time, although we would have been prepared to make a financial contribution. The right apprenticeship can be a fantastic way to start a career.

Well so-rry! I only know what you've written here.

I think it's absurd thst parents would go into a school at the beginning of year 12 and tell them not to encourage university! He might change his mind in a year!

I plan to talk to his school before the start of term to let them know that we all (DH, DS and I) agree that he will not be going to uni

That seems an extraordinary thing to do! At least wait until the beginning of year 13!

Sorry I've not read the full thread but...
Can you unpack why your ds doesn't want to do a btec? Is it just the perception that it's not "good enough"? (I ask this because my ds - same age - and his friends use "btec" as slang for substandard. I shut them down when I hear it but apparently "everyone" says it ). I have 3 friends with children currently doing BTECs (one just finished level 2 in a year, previously very disengaged with education, now going on to level 3 and looking forward to it; the others are doing level 3 from the start). None of them would have been incapable of A levels (though their grades were lower than your ds's) but it would have been a huge step up and one they would have struggled with.
My DH is a teacher and says the difference between GCSEs and A levels can't be over estimated.
My dd just did politics A level (alongside 2 other heavy essay subjects) and said it was the one she found hardest work - the essays are complex and detailed. People who chose it because it wasn't a GCSE subject struggled a lot more than those who actually were interested in it for its own sake. Psychology too is very scientific - if he doesn't like biology he might not enjoy psychology..
Sorry I don't mean to sound negative. Your ds is clearly capable of A levels but a BTEC might be so much better for him. If he doesn't get stuck in to A levels then he will struggle to get good grades - and then will any more doors be open to him? Whereas btecs seem more fluid and have more options...

I agree with you @TeenMinusTests that Business A level (they have dropped the studies from the name now) would be very useful.
It could perhaps be the case that the sixth form doesn't offer it though.
There are a lot of level 3 apprenticeships in business / management that are not sector specific that may suit OPs son post A levels.
dds sixth form (and school) ran taster sessions for new subjects that were not offered at GCSE. This was very useful in helping her to decide what options to choose.

My DS is not doing biology [he couldn't wait to drop all three sciences] so I'm beginning to wonder if psychology is the best choice for him

I don't think not doing biology will hold him back. Loads of students in DD's psychology group didn't take biology, and still did well.

The key for A level success is to choose the subjects you enjoy the most. Also does his school offer the option to change subject after a couple of weeks, and before it is too late to catch up with his new choice?

Maybe it is a good idea to look at the spec of all the A level possibilities, and make sure you look at the correct exam board because there are often different topics covered in each subject.

Good luck with whatever he chooses.

Will he have a mature discussion with you as to why not Business Studies? An understanding of business would be very useful in hospitality where those that stick it out can get into management quite young.

My DS is doing A levels at the moment - if he had any idea what he wanted to do then he would have done a vocational course at college, but he doesn't, so he didn't!

We figured A levels were more generic and easier to build from in the future, rather than a (eg) BTEC in Sports.

I’ll add that my eldest really didn’t like psychology. He found it very boring and like pulling teeth. The ones who seemed most enthused did it with biology.
I’m glad your son decided to stay but if he finds that he really doesn’t want to be doing A levels once he starts then really do revisit the level 3 BTEC option, it really is such a good alternative for smart kids who don’t want to do A levels and are more practical.

I just don't think it was was she expected. The first year was spent mainly learning about Social influence, Memory, Attachment, Approaches in Psychology, Psychopathology and Research methods.

Looking at the spec it looks like all the interesting stuff was in the second year of A level. Basically, AS psychology was a massive memory test because you have to learn and remember loads of case studies as well as remember the content.

DD found it very dull and unchallenging, and extremely time consuming compared to her other subjects (biology, chemistry and geography).

This is the AQA A level spec for psychology:

www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/psychology/as-and-a-level/psychology-7181-7182/specification-at-a-glance

I didn't want to put your DS off, but just to manage his expectations. Students who take untried subjects at A level sometimes become unstuck.

TBH I was surprised that DD's school started her off with 4 subjects, but she had performed very well at GCSE. With hindsight I'm glad that she did because she really, really wanted to study psychology, but soon found it so desperately dull and time intensive. At least she had the luxury of dropping it, unlike the students who had only started with three.

Most students at her school took 3 A levels.

Dds high performing private school say only 3 and an epq. You can take a fourth for 2 weeks only!

Many kids, especially at private schools, start year 12 with four then drop one in the New Year. So ultimately they do sit the best three, sometimes with an epq.

DD only did psychology for a year. She started with 4 A level subjects, but hated it so much she dropped it after AS levels. The first year was very boring. She found it unchallenging and dull, and extremely time consuming. She doesn't remember doing much in the way of maths and formulas, but that might have come in the second year.

They cover a bit of biology in psychology, but as DD was taking A level biology she found it quite easy.