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Further education

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

Original poster

Year 12 BTEC (and other non A level) 26/27

2 replies

putthefreshnessback · 03/09/2026 09:27

i don’t think there’s a thread already, happy to be linked to it if there is.

DS is starting 6th form today to do a double award sport / single award business BTECs. He wanted it to be the other way around but timetabling wouldnt allow it. He’s pretty adaptable though so hopefully it’ll be fine. He didn’t consider A levels as he prefers the way that BTECs are assessed. I think it’s the right decision for him. I have told him, though, that he needs to be “on it” throughout the two years as his assessments start early and count. We’ll see how that goes!

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Original poster
putthefreshnessback · 04/09/2026 11:48

BeingAnonymouse · 03/09/2026 13:35

Same here, but DS didn't get STEM grades for 6th form so doing engineering B Tec at college.
He is still a bit upset about 6th form but realises (I think) that he didnt put the work in. I think B TEC is a better option for him too.
I just hope he gets on the ball and stays there for college.

I’m really sorry your son didn’t end up where he wanted to be. It’ll take him some time to adjust but hopefully he’ll start to enjoy the course and do really well. Did any of his friends end up at the same college? All bar one of my DS’s friends are doing A levels, but he never wanted to. He did at one point say he’d like to start work, so an apprenticeship, after GCSE’s. I said I really didn’t want him to do that as he was capable enough to do a level three course. He got a range of 7s to 4s in his GCSE’s (as expected). Once we started looking at FE options he was much more enthusiastic about staying in education and didn’t mention 16+ apprenticeships again. He does, however, plan to leave at 18 and hopefully get an apprenticeship then. That is a plan I’ll fully support.

OP posts:
BeingAnonymouse · 03/09/2026 13:35

Same here, but DS didn't get STEM grades for 6th form so doing engineering B Tec at college.
He is still a bit upset about 6th form but realises (I think) that he didnt put the work in. I think B TEC is a better option for him too.
I just hope he gets on the ball and stays there for college.

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