Applying for 6th form- presumably you state which AS levels?

Thanks Errol - we'll have a look.
No, she doesn't really know what she wants to do at University.
She knows she wants to do maths and physics(possibly further maths) but doesn't know to what end - it was me that suggested engineering she says vaguely as she's always been good at problem solving type way of working, but I don't feel I know enough about it to help her decide.
Careerwise, she wants to fly (literally, not metaphorically )

Not long got back from ds's. I'm quite envious, there's so much he can do. The English A'level students meet on Sundays for a book club/go to the cinema/go to the theatre etc, language students go on exchanges, small groups, individual tutorials with the teachers too, lunch clubs etc. My 6th form was crap in comparison Wonderful opportunities though. There's another parents evening next week for advice on which subjects help with which uni courses.

oh - just got email with invitation to the open day next week ' opportunity to talk in-depth with subject staff about the A levels on offer, as well as the current sixth formers' - and a talk from the HT.

back - you might find some general info on engineering on the smallpeice trust website.

Back - I'm a bit bewildered by the types of engineering too. My DD seems most interested in electronic/electrical but DH keeps wittering about 'mechatronics' courses . Then there's mechanical, chemical, aeronautical, civil, minerals .... maybe others, that southampton link seemed to have yet more. Does your DD have any sort of inkling what sort of thing she might be interested in? Maybe she could talk to the tech teachers - some of those may have been in industry of one type or another before teaching, I think most of DDs have.

The 'trinity' list alluded to is what Trinity college cambridge lists as 'acceptable combinations' - it's seen as something of a gold standard but be aware that other places have other criteria - often not quite as demanding but it's a good idea to look at specific courses/unis too. link

can't think of any sort of engineering which doesn't need maths, mummytime.

Not sure it'd be wise to do that combo without maths either, lynnette. Physics really needs it; chemistry you'd have to play catch up ; biology and geography I'm not sure but I'd have thought you might need some, stats maybe? Hm, would that combination work for some sort of ecology type thing?

There are some kinds of engineering it would be good for, as well as Geology/Geophysics. BUT it is hard doing A'level Physics without Maths.

I'm assuming school would start talking about this after Christmas.

DS is sure he wants to stay at the same school, and do A'level (Yay, half the job done!) as has always wanted to do sciences.....but weirdly doesn't seem to enjoy maths.

In an ideal world he would like to do Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Geography. But that won't get him onto an engineering course. Anyone know what it is good for?

Thank you SO much

Backforgood
worth a bookmark
www.russellgroup.org/InformedChoices-latest.pdf

types of engineering :
here's a taster
www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/undergraduate/index.page

Sorry if I should know this, but where am I looking for this
Young people need to look at the informed choices booklet (updated) version plus the Trinity list (website)

Where / what is "the informed choices booklet" ?

While I'm asking daft questions - how can dd find out what all the different types of engineering are, and where she can get more information preferably before she chooses her A-levels ?

Don't you just love education policy made on the fly?

Starting 4 with the option to do one for AS and carry on the rest to A2 seems reasonable. Frankly the universities seemed to manage with predicted grades in the past, and at the moment some kids underperform at AS so I'm not sure they're a wholly good idea other than as a way of keeping your options open and deciding which to do a lesser award in. Limiting the initial choice to 3 sounds too limiting - I'd hope that a physics/double maths combo would always allow for one more at least.

Yes, I'd seen that.

In the meantime there really should be a consistent approach to this. Either all students take them or they don't.

Mind you if Labour get in the policy will be scrapped!

Titchy some schools have already decided that they will not be offering an AS to any student in their group.

I was speaking to a Head of History who said exactly that on Friday last.

When I asked what was going to happen to those students when they applied for university she said 'We hope the universities will go back to the old system and rely on predicted grades.'

And I thought hope is a bit much!

I know for a fact that other schools in the same area will still be putting their students in for four AS.

ASs are NOT being scrapped. They are being phased out as the halfway point of the A level exam, but will continue to exist as stand alone quals in their own right, as indeed they are currently.

For the first cohort, current year 11s (not all subjects though), many sixth form colleges will still put them in for the AS exam even though it won't count towards their A level grade if they are entered for the full A level.

As far a as I am aware a normal load will still be 1 AS level and 3 A levels. AS and first year A level syllabuses are the same so students won't have to decide which subject will be their AS until March of lower sixth when exam entries are made.

As far as I know AS are not being scrapped, BUT if you sit AS exams at the end of lower sixth, and continue to A2 you will have to resit those exams with the rest of A2 at the end of upper sixth. Some schools/sixth forms may choose not to enter anyone for AS's, others are going to keep entering people, some may choose to do a mixture.

Universities are complaining - because they can't guarantee on using AS's as part of the application procedure.

Schools often can't provide much advice, because they have limited knowledge and no money to provide specialist staff - the government got rid of Connections, and you are supposed to use a website to get careers advice nowadays.

secret I think they're in a tricky position.

The AS exams tend to dominate year 12 when teachers would rather be exploring the subject.
And many students just don't gather enough maturity to do well until year 13.

Obviously league tables often look better without poor AS results on them.

But the truth is, some schools will still do them. At least until they can see how this all pans out.

And if the students at those schools do well, they will potentially be at a distinct advantage.

That seems logical, I am sure from DS1s experience that good grades at AS are important for getting offers from good unis.
Surely schools and sixth forms know this though? Why would they put students at a potential disadvantage? Is it cost?

AS levels are being scrapped. However some subjects are scrapping it sooner than others.

There's nothing to stop schools continuing with them. They just won't count towards the A2.

My concern is that those schools that don't do them will put their students at a disadvantage in their university applications. If other applicants have good AS grades to show off, they will surely be more attractive than a student waving only a predicted grade?

Can anyone clarify what happens to AS levels in 2016?

My friend has a DC at a Grammar School and he has been told categorically that he can choose only 3 subjects because they won't be doing AS levels and they cannot drop a subject after Y12 (as is common).
Is this correct, has she misunderstood or are there different ideas in different sixth forms?

I have one just started uni and one just started 6th form. My experience was that there was zero information from their school. None of the local schools have a sixth form and it's as though their job ends with GCSEs.
Having said that the outreach from the local sixth form college was visible if not very helpful.
Truth be told I got most of my advice from Mumsnet.
DS2 has just started Y12 doing 3 sciences and maths. He tried to do history but they were adamant that he couldn't do a "mixed pathway". I offered to make a fuss but he didn't want ti that much.

mindgone
the child I'm thinking of got the hat in the GCSE and is now looking at doing a maths degree leading into becoming an Actuary

but yes, for medicine its pretty pointless