End of A level 1st year - poor grades - carry on??

My son didn't do well at end of first year A Levels. He was lazy not incapable. We told him it was entirely up to him what he did with his life but if he carried on being lazy we would not carry on supporting him. He sold his PlayStation on EBay and got really good grades in the end because he put effort in. He went on to get a first class maths degree. The choice between A Levels and BTec really depends on his ability and what he wants to go on and do. Try and take a step back and let him make decisions. It's really hard as a parent but teens have to start taking responsibility for their actions at some point.

A BTEC extended diploma is a 2 year course equivalent to 3 A levels. You have to work fairly consistently all the time. A much better course for those who struggle with exams and revision. Ideal if you aren't particularly high achieving in exams but willing to put some effort into coursework. Looks better to get merits and distinctions in a BTEC than to completely bomb out of A levels.

He’d need a BTEC Extended Diploma in Creative Media - does his current college offer that?

OK, I am now confused! Isn't one of his (now two?) A Levels A Level Media? I really don't think you can combine A Level and BTec Media!

As for the mucking about bit, that's what my DS would say, too , whilst being one of the muck abouters! Your response to that is spot on!

Can he do just a BTec (at my place they have to combine it with A levels or other BTecs)? If he likes media , I think BTec Media sounda a good idea. It's more hands on , and less right on(!) than A Level Media which is really quite dry ( I hear this from media teachers when I go on courses). BTec Media sounds a good option to me.

As the parent of a DC who has just done A levels, I can confirm that her peers who did badly at AS levels really struggled in year 13. One of her friends got kicked off two subjects and the other has hung on by the skin of her teeth, but I would be very surprised if she gets anything above an E in her subjects.

I think your son needs to redo year 12 - there is no shame in that. Lots of students do this, and maybe rethink whether A levels are the right way forward (again, there is no shame in this either)

Here's a positive story - My nephew was a lazy unengaged student, and scraped 5 Cs at GCSE. He did BTECs in art subjects, achieved distinctions, and has just graduated from a Russel Group university with a 2.1 in game design and art. I am very proud of him.

I too think colleges take and keep very borderline students because of the funding they receive and also the fact they have to report numbers dropping out which is seen adversely (obviously) so in some cases, students are allowed to start courses they are not suited for/have little chance of success in, or after a terrible first year,mare allowed to carry on, making it 2 years with nothing to show for their time.

L4s in Eng Lang/Lit might be the requirement but are barely a pass at GCSE - we all know there was lots if discussion about whether a 4 or 5 would count and a 4 is very much the bottom end of the old GCSE C grade, which is a poor basis for an essay writing subject especially if other writing based GCSEs are also Cs.

I know OP that you are rooting around for things for him to do and he needs to do something, but I would seriously consider if A Levels are right for him given both his GCSEs and approach to work. I know people talk about themesleves or others who have had a bad L6th and gone on to do well, but the reality if those people usually is that either they had great GCSEs to start with and were very bright, but had a lazy year, or that they waited a while until they were more mature and really wanted to study and were motivated before having another go at A Levels - it might be that your boy just needs more maturity to really value this stuff and get down to work. Everyone is different, but the data strongly suggests that someone with his GCSE profile and experience of this first year of 6th Form will not be on line for good grades next year in A levels he continues with or if he takes up subjects which use the skills he has gained 4s in at GCSE. Sorry to say this, but that is what the numbers all suggest in the vast majority of cases - he probably needs to hear this, whilst also being presented with some alternative more realistic options at the same time - presenting both at the same time makes a future seem possible, rather than him just hearing that there's nothing for him and him feeling boxed into a corner and digging his heels in. He really needs to be starting a different course in Seltember, not continuing with the one he's been on or a hybrid version of it.

It could be useful to show him this thread and I would see if you can arrange a chat sooner rather than later with someone at the college with all of you there, after having had a good chat with the college person yourself first.

btw welsh my DS is also a summer born boy :17 today ! He is still very much a child, bless him.

I have taught exceptions to the rules over the years, but it is generally true that summer born boys need more nurtuirng and remain behind , certainly emotionally, right up until school leaving. I assume it stops at uni where all males remain emotionally immature

Thanks scrub. I am so used to having my subject dissed and dismissed I go on the defensive! I agree that a penchant for watching films is neither a route in to the media industry nor the only requirement for film A level (although you'd be amazed how many of my students don't watch anything more than Love Island... or maybe The Notebook).

Piggy my ‘penchant for watching films’ comment was about the laziness of OP’s son in comparison to the actual academic effort which the course actually requires. I.e he seems to think that at the moment he can progress by doing none of the work or adopting any of the rigour.

Our entry requirements for Film A level are 5s in GCSE Eng Lang and Lit, although I am guessing your DSs college requires 4s. Film A Level requires more than a 'penchant for stitting round watching films' and was referred to as a ' degree in two years' by a uni professor when first reformed! How is his penchant for writing analytical essays because that is hwo film is assessed. Ime, that is the hurdle that most reluctant to apply themselves students have fallen at over the years. Film is also a classic 'year 14' subject (ie one that students who have messed up take to prolong sixth form!). Thsi is sometimes very successful, sometimes not so much!

What is it he enjoys about the media studies that he thinks will be the same in film? Is it practical stuff? Or analytical? I don't teach Media but thought there was no film content in it any more!

And , lastly, is he definitely allowed to do film and media ? In a lot of schools, that is a disallowed combination. (although, to be fair, the A level reforrm got rid of any overlap between the subjects)

We wont know till August the bare truth AS wise, but one A level he has been predicted an E. He really has to get 3 A levels to get to uni. to do the course he wants. We have lowered the boom this week because his school report arrived. Xbox gone. He does have a summer job. He is not lazy but woolly about his work, does not discuss when he is struggling with teachers or us. He is the youngest in his year only just 17. Boys mature late. His older brother has stepped up and given him a talking to which has helped.

I work in the media. The number one thing people need is get up and go. Followed by grit, determination and an appetite for hard work. Out of hours.

Not a penchant for sitting round watching films.

Tell him he has a week to demonstrate that he can justify you feeding, clothing and housing him so that he can study or he is out on his ear.

I wonder if the ~£4k a year the sixth form gets for having a student's bum on a seat influences the college's decision?

Stick a rocket up his arse.

My wife failed her as levels badly but carried on and got the grades needed for uni

Has he got English Lit GCSE?

I teach film studies. Students normally would need at least a 5 at GCSE to do OK. It's a great and very engaging subject, but recent reforms have made it much much harder. Students study silent and experimental film as well as global film and documentary. Quite outside their comfort zones!

To be honest, with those grades at GCSE, A Levels wee going to be a real push - sorry! Even for a hard worker, likely outcomes from those starting points are low. I'd agree that a BTEC would be better and that its time for some straight talking - he needs to know that if he continues with the subjects he's done poorly in and lacks understanding of the first year of work, Us are pretty likely. He also needs to know what that means for the next stage and needs to be made to think about the next stage beyond 6th Form and not just next year and to understand that to be in this position after 1 year in 6th Form isn't great but to be in this same position after 2 years would be very serious - it really is about following a path where you can be successful and that not every path can lead to that.

Personally, I would be saying that I would not be supporting him in continuing with those A Levels into the L6th - that it's simply not an option. And if he starts another 2 year course of my type, ask the college to be very clear about what kind of grades must be achieved in the first year to continue successfully, so that he he has clear targets and is more motivated. It isn't easy with 17 year olds who seem to think they can just do whatever course they like, regardless of what is behind them, but sometimes as parents this is the point to be very firm about both their choices and their attitude. Not easy but if he can understand the realities and come to take a slightly longer term view (perhaps thinking about uni and that Us and Es won't open doors but a BTEC coukd) then he might be able to follow onto uni too, whereas insisting on continuing with courses he has failed at (and the college really shouldn't let him do this but lay on the line what the alternatives are) will close doors and not open them. Best of luck.