Please or to access all these features

Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Failed AS levels - Sixth Form says no to re-takes

30 replies

Laura1999 · 29/08/2013 12:48

DS failed his science and maths AS levels - passed a humanities one.
Hadn't appreciated the huge leap between GCSEs and A levels and, by his own admission, hadn't got the study pattern right until it was rather too late ...

Doesn't want to go back to old sixth form (and big question over whether they would have them to do those subjects ..). Went to a sixth form college interview today - was told emphatically that he can't do the sciences (even though he got a B at GCSE in one of them - and in maths) but could do Applied Science and Phychology (and a couple of humantities subjects). Was told that other local colleges would say the same thing ... (Have to say that the manner in which he was told all us was very unfortunate.

DS knows what went wrong and is determined not to repeat his mistakes and very much wants a fresh start. He wants a career in biological/medical science and doesn't think that Applied Science would to the job.

Any experience of Applied Science A level? Anyone else with a DC who has been able to re-take a favourite subject even though the AS went badly? Phoning round other colleges - invited to make application - but feeling a bit despondent and rather sad that DS isn't being allowed, by this one college that he'd very much like to go to, a second chance, as it were. Thanks for any suggestions/thoughts!

OP posts:
JuliaScurr · 29/08/2013 13:28

I just googled AS retake colleges - got quite a few. Private crammers will def do it; public sector ones maybe vary
Good luck

longingforsomesleep · 29/08/2013 13:23

DS1 was advised against doing Biology A level with 'only' a B at GCSE. He did Physics instead (also a B) and ended up with an E at AS. At his school you aren't allowed to move onto A2 with anything less than a D at AS.

I'd caution against psychology A level - some students find it very hard.

LIZS · 29/08/2013 13:00

Agree he needs to be clear what the entry criteria for his chosen qualification courses and career are . tbh a B at GCSE, presumably lower for others, then lowish AS would suggest that perhaps Science subjects aren't strong enough to pursue in their own right - most colleges would require B or above GCSE for study at A level.

noblegiraffe · 29/08/2013 12:58

It sounds like he was badly advised with his choice of A-levels in the first place. Many sixth forms would not have let him take maths with a B, nor science with a C (if that is what he got?).
Definitely think you need some decent careers advice.

BikeRunSki · 29/08/2013 12:54

Have you spoken to a careers advisor about appropriate subjects for your ds' s chosen career?

Swipe left for the next trending thread