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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

A levels or apprenticeship

135 replies

Whatnextcrazyworld · 27/07/2021 09:37

DS has just finished Year 11 at a private school where he is predicted 7s and 8s in his GCSEs. He hasn't particularly enjoyed the last two years and has previously said that he's not keen on doing A levels. I've been open to looking at apprenticeships but am being told that it would be a big mistake not to do A levels. DS isn't interested in going to uni but has "accepted" that he will stay on for sixth form - I'm concerned that he's agreed to this for the wrong reasons. [We've discussed going to college for a change but he's clear that he'd rather stay at his current school if he does study A levels.]

My family are insistent that all employers will expect A levels and that they would think it very odd that a pupil from an independent school would not have A levels. It's very long time since my husband and I went to school and the world is totally different to when we started work.

If you have experience of going straight to an apprenticeship after GCSEs, can you clarify whether you can do to a Level 3 (which I understand is equivalent to two A levels) or are most of them Level 2 at age 16.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whatnextcrazyworld · 28/07/2021 09:52

@NiceTwin

I would say apprenticeship every day of the week. There is little point of him doing A levels as they are predominantly for university admissions, if he has no intention of going.

An apprenticeship, he can do a level 3 alongside the work element whilst being paid, win win.

This is my opinion but not that of the rest of the family! I will continue to fight my corner.
OP posts:
Original poster
Whatnextcrazyworld · 28/07/2021 09:50

@TeenMinusTests

A friend's DS did A levels then is doing a degree-apprenticeship in Quantity Surveying. So he will come out of it with a degree, savings not debts, and work experience.
My son isn't keen on BTECs and, at this stage, is clear he doesn't want to go to uni but we'll certainly keep options open. Thank you.
OP posts:
AvantGardening · 28/07/2021 09:14

You all seem to know what he doesn’t want but does he have any idea what he does want to do.

If he could forget about the academic route for a moment what does he want to do in five/ten years time? Then work backwards. There may be several routes to where he wants to be. There may be a standard expectation. But it’s no good starting him on a plumbing apprenticeship to avoid a levels if he wants to end up as a doctor or a hairdresser.

LIZS · 28/07/2021 08:51

If he has decent gcse he can do a level 3, although in practice post 16 ones may do a level 2 first. A full level 3 can be equivalent to 3 A levels, but he would need to check that is what the apprenticeship offers. Otherwise he can do btec/nvq level 3 at college if his school sixth form does not offer it, or combine with an A level.

Bryonyshcmyony · 28/07/2021 08:29

Of course he should do a levels or BTECs if he's predicted 8s

Do a degree apprenticeship after if uni doesn't appeal

GoWalkabout · 28/07/2021 08:28

To clarify I mean I know a lot of people don't go to uni, but not many with his type of grades.

GoWalkabout · 28/07/2021 08:26

The trouble is that so few people don't go to university that you need a solid plan to develop him otherwise he will not gain as much ground as his peers over the next few years. If he's accepting staying for A Levels I would go with that but get really good careers advice now for the next stage.

NiceTwin · 28/07/2021 08:22

I would say apprenticeship every day of the week.
There is little point of him doing A levels as they are predominantly for university admissions, if he has no intention of going.

An apprenticeship, he can do a level 3 alongside the work element whilst being paid, win win.

TeenMinusTests · 28/07/2021 08:17

A friend's DS did A levels then is doing a degree-apprenticeship in Quantity Surveying. So he will come out of it with a degree, savings not debts, and work experience.

TeenMinusTests · 28/07/2021 08:15

Have you discounted BTECs for a reason, or just because you don't really know about them?
BTECs are more vocational, but you can still go on to university for a related course if you do well enough. Getting top grades isn't easy.
They are run differently from A levels mainly on regular assignments, but still with some exams.
What kind of area are you/he considering?