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Further education

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

Original poster

What options are there for students with dire Alevels due to life events?( computer science )

88 replies

C0p3nhag3n · 12/06/2023 18:44

Hi my son is struggling with severe trauma and intense anxiety. He also has ASC.He is having treatment,making progress but it’s slow and he’s still quite ill. Getting to the end of his Alevel courses and actually being able to sit through the exams is huge but he has managed to do very little revision and has struggled hugely in the exams themselves. We’re proud he managed to complete them without running out.

So results aren’t going to be good, expecting Ds instead of the As he’s capable off. He is going to take a year off but what can he do to get into Uni? Would he qualify for Access courses or is there anything else? He is bright just had the shiftiest past 3 years.

OP posts:
Rummikub · 12/06/2023 20:01

He could take an Access course once he is 19. To keep his skills base up he could look at free future learn courses or open uni open access courses.

There maybe supported apprenticeships / internships. Ask your local careers team or council.

He could also consider an HNC for a year. If these are at a FE then they are usually smaller class sizes.

Taptap2 · 12/06/2023 19:59

Foundation year a very good idea. A lesser known university may accept his grades with his diagnosis. Otherwise can he attend an A level crammer college, expensive but may be worth it if you can afford it and there is a local good one.

I really think a year out may not be a good idea - my ASD teenager I think would end up sitting in his room gaming and getting depressed. A lot of entry jobs involve social skills that can really tax somebody with ASD in hospitality and retail which may not help his mental health.

National Autistic Society and other organisations have lists of companies that have internships and jobs for ASD young adults so may be worth a shot.

Well done for your son actually even sitting the A levels.

Original poster
C0p3nhag3n · 12/06/2023 19:55

Our college doesn’t take older students on course with younger because of safeguarding. They recently offloaded somebody with autism and an EHCP.

OP posts:
Punxsutawney · 12/06/2023 19:52

Although an EHCP won't cover Uni/higher education.

Punxsutawney · 12/06/2023 19:51

How much support is he getting at sixth form? Does he have an EHCP? If not would you think about applying for one?

I have a 19 year old autistic Ds who is still in further education, with probably another two years in a specialist placement.
An EHCP makes that possible. You can also access other therapies and support and they can go on until a young person is in their mid twenties. So it takes the pressure off a little.

Original poster
C0p3nhag3n · 12/06/2023 19:50

Foundation course want quite high grades. Could he do an Access course in a couple of years?

OP posts:
Original poster
C0p3nhag3n · 12/06/2023 19:45

Can’t retake. Already started them once and didn’t finish the year. Then restarted again. Unbelievably it has taken him 3 years to access trauma therapy which he started a few weeks ago even though under Cahms and adult services and rated as a high priority the whole time .It’s so bloody annoying. I feel so sorry for him as he’s so frustrated with himself. Think it will be 2 years out actually.

Can you do a foundation course for computer science? Do they take life trauma into account if accepting onto a course and do they look at woeful grades. He is actually a gifted coder but couldn’t code for half of his computer science exam today as too anxious. 😰

OP posts:
gogohmm · 12/06/2023 18:57

Foundation year is a great option though I would also recommend taking a year out first to decompress and learn life skills

SavetheNHS · 12/06/2023 18:53

How about looking for work? Does he code in his spare time? It may be better for him to have a year (or more) off and consider trying to work his way up within a company. There is more than one route into computing careers. Best of luck to him 🤞

AP5Diva · 12/06/2023 18:52

Why can’t he repeat YR13 and resit ?
That’s normally an option in that situation and is why the government funds education post 16 for 3 years…while you are 17, 18 and 19 .just in case.

CharlotteRumpling · 12/06/2023 18:51

I read about the FT columnist Lucy Cavendish's son doing a foundation year, then going on to do CS at Nottingham Uni. He did well in the end. Some young people lose their way.

Don't despair. Can you ask your school for guidance?

SertralineAndTherapy · 12/06/2023 18:49

Foundation year is a good call!

CharlotteRumpling · 12/06/2023 18:44

Retake A levels?
Foundation year?