Page 5 | A level choices

Freedom2025 · 2025-08-22T09:30:03+00:00

Hoping someone will help with this. My daughter wanted to do maths, physics & psychology for her A levels. She didn’t get the 8 she needed for maths to stay at her current grammar school. She got a 7 but needed an 8 because she didn’t do well at pre GCSE maths assessment test. She got a 7 in maths and 8s in physics and biology. She really wants to stay at her current school because she is worried about change and she really loves her school. She has now put down physics, biology and psychology at her current school (all girls grammar with mixed 6th form) and has been accepted. She has an option of attending a nearby grammar with her original subject choices. This is a boys grammar school with mixed 6th form. She liked it when she visited but not as much as her current school. Now the dilemma is whether it’s worth sacrificing the maths in order to stay at current school or just start afresh elsewhere. If anyone has any wise words please share!

Original poster

Freedom2025 · 22/08/2025 13:06

AgeingDoc · 22/08/2025 12:59

I'd agree with those saying work backwards from what she wants to do longer term.
Whilst it is possible to get onto some Engineering courses without Maths A level it's not easy and not having Maths will markedly reduce her options. So if she is serious about pursuing Engineering or similar I would suggest she does A level Maths even if it does mean moving schools. I understand her being anxious about the change, but if she sticks where she is for the short term security she is potentially limiting her options and making life harder than it needs to be longer term.
Maths A level is difficult, and yes, with a 7 at GCSE she is going to have to work hard, but it's certainly not impossible. Both my DS's got 7s in Maths at GCSE. One has just graduated with a first in an engineering discipline and the other one is currently part way through his degree in a different type of engineering and also on schedule for a first.
There's a bit of a tendency on Mumsnet for posters to predict doom for anyone who doesn't get a 9 for GCSE and A stars for A level Maths and Further Maths, and it is true that there are some courses that only take people with those sort of grades. But there are lots of perfectly respectable institutions with good graduate employment figures who don't. I'm from a very Engineering focused family - I've got siblings, a husband, children and nephews and nieces who are all Engineers of one type or another and I don't think any of them got top grades in Maths. Yes, it's easier for those who are great at Maths and it does leave more doors open. But there are lots of options for those who are not brilliant natural mathematicians but are prepared to put the work in. And there are lots of successful Engineers earning a good living in their profession who didn't go to Oxbridge or Imperial, so if Engineering is the direction she really wants to go in, don't let a good but not stellar GCSE Maths result put her off. It's a very broad discipline with lots and lots of possibilities.

This is encouraging! Thank you.

OP posts:

MiddleAgedDread · 22/08/2025 13:01

Don't drop the maths if she's considering engineering or physics at uni! Isn't a 7 the equivalent of an A? If so, I can't believe they won't let her do Alevel.

AgeingDoc · 22/08/2025 12:59

I'd agree with those saying work backwards from what she wants to do longer term.
Whilst it is possible to get onto some Engineering courses without Maths A level it's not easy and not having Maths will markedly reduce her options. So if she is serious about pursuing Engineering or similar I would suggest she does A level Maths even if it does mean moving schools. I understand her being anxious about the change, but if she sticks where she is for the short term security she is potentially limiting her options and making life harder than it needs to be longer term.
Maths A level is difficult, and yes, with a 7 at GCSE she is going to have to work hard, but it's certainly not impossible. Both my DS's got 7s in Maths at GCSE. One has just graduated with a first in an engineering discipline and the other one is currently part way through his degree in a different type of engineering and also on schedule for a first.
There's a bit of a tendency on Mumsnet for posters to predict doom for anyone who doesn't get a 9 for GCSE and A stars for A level Maths and Further Maths, and it is true that there are some courses that only take people with those sort of grades. But there are lots of perfectly respectable institutions with good graduate employment figures who don't. I'm from a very Engineering focused family - I've got siblings, a husband, children and nephews and nieces who are all Engineers of one type or another and I don't think any of them got top grades in Maths. Yes, it's easier for those who are great at Maths and it does leave more doors open. But there are lots of options for those who are not brilliant natural mathematicians but are prepared to put the work in. And there are lots of successful Engineers earning a good living in their profession who didn't go to Oxbridge or Imperial, so if Engineering is the direction she really wants to go in, don't let a good but not stellar GCSE Maths result put her off. It's a very broad discipline with lots and lots of possibilities.

Original poster

Freedom2025 · 22/08/2025 12:58

FitnessIsTheOnlyWealth · 22/08/2025 12:35

How many marks did she miss the grade 8 by?

About 8 or 10.

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TeenToTwenties · 22/08/2025 12:47

Page 8 | Yearly warning not to take A-level maths with less than a 7 at GCSE | Mumsnet

This thread may be helpful.

Someone predicted an 8 who just missed it should be more than capable of doing maths A level if willing to work at it.

Has she done the bridging work / brushed up on what she couldn't do in the school's pre-GCSE assessment test?

mamagogo1 · 22/08/2025 12:37

I would caution against maths or physics as they are really difficult a levels unless you are good at maths. Even with 9’s at gcse my dd had to work really hard for her a level grade a maths and b physics

FitnessIsTheOnlyWealth · 22/08/2025 12:35

How many marks did she miss the grade 8 by?

Original poster

Freedom2025 · 22/08/2025 12:34

titchy · 22/08/2025 12:33

Cross post - have you looked at Engineerjng degree uni requirements? They’d ask for Maths I think, though foundation year entry may give her options that don’t need Maths AL.

Yes, have looked at uni requirements. I think if she doesn’t do maths she’d have to pick something else other than engineering.

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ConBatulations · 22/08/2025 12:34

Dropping maths will reduce the number of degrees open to her e.g. lots of Physics, engineering and computer science degrees. If these are not of interest then it won't matter as much.
However, moving to a boys school to do maths which will be majority boys may not be the best option. She really would need to have the confidence to ask for help if she doesn't understand something.

titchy · 22/08/2025 12:33

Cross post - have you looked at Engineerjng degree uni requirements? They’d ask for Maths I think, though foundation year entry may give her options that don’t need Maths AL.

titchy · 22/08/2025 12:32

Notellinganyone · 22/08/2025 12:27

I think she’ll struggle with A level maths with a 7. It’s a steep jump and she could end up with a low grade.

Agree. However I also think she’ll struggle a bit with Physics if she isn’t doing Maths. It’s unusual to find a school that allows it tbh.

If she takes a while to settle, she should stay. You really have to hit the ground running at AL, and if her mental energy is going into settling, by Christmas she’ll be behind - which is not what a slightly weak Mathematician needs.

Original poster

Freedom2025 · 22/08/2025 12:31

Notellinganyone · 22/08/2025 12:27

I think she’ll struggle with A level maths with a 7. It’s a steep jump and she could end up with a low grade.

She was working at 8 and was predicted an 8. She enjoys it but I get what you’re saying.

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Original poster

Freedom2025 · 22/08/2025 12:29

She is not sure yet but thinking engineering or something else physics related.

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Notellinganyone · 22/08/2025 12:27

I think she’ll struggle with A level maths with a 7. It’s a steep jump and she could end up with a low grade.

Hellohelga · 22/08/2025 12:26

Maths is a much better choice with physics and psychology. What does she want to do after A levels?

LIZS · 22/08/2025 12:22

What does she want to do afterwards? Would maths be more relevant than physics and keep uni course options more open for example.

Original poster

Freedom2025 · 22/08/2025 12:18

TeenToTwenties · 22/08/2025 11:57

I'm all for doing the subjects you want, and not compromising just to stay at current school unless there is some kind of additional need that needs nurturing.

But I live in Hants where staying at the school post GSE isn't an option for anyone.

That is my position as well but I also know that it takes my daughter quite a while to settle in new situations. So I don’t know whether the move would do more damage and therefore affect her grades in the end. So tough! She’s really struggling to decide what to choose. I think maths is more important to her though.

OP posts:

Original poster

Freedom2025 · 22/08/2025 12:15

AudiobookListener · 22/08/2025 11:56

What's the balance of boys and girls like? Is the girls grammar mainly girls and the boys mainly boys? How does your daughter feel about it? I would suggest if she wants to do maths she needs to be prepared to ask lots of questions when she doesn’t understand. Would she be comfortable doing that at the boys grammar?

Thanks for responding. It’s mainly boys with some girls. She is conflicted because she really wants to do maths but is worried about change and going from all girls to lots of boys and few girls.

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TeenToTwenties · 22/08/2025 11:57

I'm all for doing the subjects you want, and not compromising just to stay at current school unless there is some kind of additional need that needs nurturing.

But I live in Hants where staying at the school post GSE isn't an option for anyone.

AudiobookListener · 22/08/2025 11:56

What's the balance of boys and girls like? Is the girls grammar mainly girls and the boys mainly boys? How does your daughter feel about it? I would suggest if she wants to do maths she needs to be prepared to ask lots of questions when she doesn’t understand. Would she be comfortable doing that at the boys grammar?