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Further education

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Original poster

Is it too late to switch from A level to BTEC?

33 replies

GrumpyMuleFan · 15/03/2026 08:33

Sorry for long post, but just not sure what is “normal bumps” for sixth form. Would really appreciate some advice.

DS is in y12 and studying a double sport BTEC alongside Business Studies A level. He was also doing core maths AS level, but dropped it two weeks ago. He is very dyslexic and has ADHD. Sport is going really well - working to DD at the moment had an excellent written report at half term. The Business teacher report said he was very good in class, hard working and motivated, but had struggled at times. Suggestions for ongoing revision but no massive flags. He is the only one in the course who doesn’t have the GCSE and has felt under a bit of pressure from the start.

He has been very quiet for the last week or so and yesterday came home from his driving lesson in floods of tears - I have never seen him so upset. He kept stalling and the instructor took over the driving. After lots of hugs and chat and tea, he said that he was worrying the whole time about business studies. One of her teachers asked him to stay behind after class about 10 days ago and told him he was failing and heading for an F.

I was really taken aback at how worried he is and that he’d not talked about it. He’s been planning his career out and looking for work experience and apart from him being quiet, I had no idea that he was worried. We have parents evening on Monday night, but feel I need a more formal conversation with the school.

DS really struggled with academics and was in a specialist dyslexia school until y9. He got six gcse (6s and 5s) and learnt how to get there with hard work. His confidence grew over gcse years and he was confident about his abilities. Yesterday he bought up lots of things about being thick and how he used to feel in classrooms and that he hated how anxious he felt inside.

DS, without a doubt, would have been better off doing BTEC Business, as he does well in course work. There was a block clash with Core Maths, which he really wanted to do. He’s at a new school, in a new town and I think it’s just all added up.

Do you think it would be too late to switch to the BTEC? He has been studying the subject since September and he could focus on catching up on course work between now and September, and then take all of the exams next year. Even if he had to do an extra term?

I read that starting y12 again is an option, but I’m not sure that would be such a good idea: as he’s made lots of friends and may not help him feel good about himself.

And then I think, should he just double down on the Business and help him through?? He is really interested in business and reads the paper and has lots of chat.

Thank you if you’ve read this far. Any advice on what to aim for and how to handle school would really help.

OP posts:
Original poster
GrumpyMuleFan · 15/03/2026 15:08

Thank you everyone for your replies and advice.. To answer some questions.

@ChasingMoreSleep He doesn't have an EHCP and is at an independent school. Interesting that there isn't an F as that is def what he said to me. I wonder if he's exaggerating. I am going to ask what his options are.

@AelinAG He wants to do an apprenticeship in commercial property - planning on applying for degree apprenticeships as well as Level 4/5. His aim is to be a chartered surveyor.

@OhWise1 He changed school for sixth form and they had all his records and did an assessment + interview on what his options could be. In hindsight I wish he'd never started the Core Maths. He likes maths and it is a relative strength, but in reality it meant that he didn't have any free periods (they have a careers session x 1 p/w and he has learning support 1 p/w). I don't think the school appreciated how much he struggles - initially they also wanted him to do an EPQ!

@SergeantWrinkles what else is your daughter studying alongside German? Have you spoken to the school?

I've just been through DS's business books and they are disorganised and lack detail. I will email his tutor in the morning and ask if we can meet her (maybe at parents evening) and see what the options are.

I haven't come across someone doing a third year in sixth form, but will ask about it.

OP posts:
SergeantWrinkles · 15/03/2026 13:11

Following with interest as DD is in exactly the same situation with German.

ChasingMoreSleep · 15/03/2026 13:02

Core Maths isn’t the same as an AS level, it is designed to be studied alongside 3 A levels or equivalent. It was probably recommended to support OP’s DS’s options.

3 A levels or equivalent is considered full time, but occasionally, settings will take the financial hit to allow a third year of less than full-time education.

OhWise1 · 15/03/2026 12:55

AelinAG · 15/03/2026 12:46

I think you need a conversation with the business teacher to drill down. It’s probably a bit late to change - just because they’re the same subject doesn’t mean it’s the same content. He could drop business, keep going with sport for this year, then start btec business next year, stretching the quals over three years? So he’d be doing just the business one in Y14.

what does he want to do after sixth form as that’ll really inform his next steps here

Im not sure, but im sure i have heard that you have to be doing the equivalent of 3 A levels to be ckassed as full-time and the 6th form won't allow you to do less because they wouldn't be able fo claim the funding.
Who on earth advised him to study 2 A S levels and a double BTEC with such a patchy academic record? His gcse's are too weak for A levels.

AelinAG · 15/03/2026 12:46

I think you need a conversation with the business teacher to drill down. It’s probably a bit late to change - just because they’re the same subject doesn’t mean it’s the same content. He could drop business, keep going with sport for this year, then start btec business next year, stretching the quals over three years? So he’d be doing just the business one in Y14.

what does he want to do after sixth form as that’ll really inform his next steps here

ChasingMoreSleep · 15/03/2026 12:40

At this point in the year, it would be unusual for settings to allow a swap.

It isn’t always allowed, but one option you haven’t mention might be to stick with the current year for the BTEC sport and start BTEC business in September with the new Y12s.

Does DS have an EHCP? That could open up more flexibility.

Can you and DS email the business teacher directly? BTW, A levels don’t have an F.

Original poster
GrumpyMuleFan · 15/03/2026 09:51

Thank you @butternut123 I hand't thought of extending the sport. I will see if they offer that. Any thoughts on how to handle his worry? At first I thought he was over-reaacting as I wasn't expecting it, but then the penny dropped that he had been worrying.

OP posts:
butternut123 · 15/03/2026 08:52

Hi OP, poor lad. I’d call his sixth form and ask to go in and speak to his form tutor about it and see what options there are? If that isn’t an option he could also potentially up his current sport etc to the extended diploma (if he isn’t already).

It is pretty far into the academic year now though but let’s hope the school can help out and suggest a way forward.

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