My daughter's a level teacher just threatened

I am incredibly proud of his E. It was the hardest thing he ever did, forcing himself back into that environment day after day, when he was so ill. Let's say he had leukemia and was too unwell to score as had been expected, would you still be suggesting that he should have been switched on to a trade course? Or that his E achieved despite severe illness was a waste of taxpayer's money? Catch on to yourself. Grow a compassion bone.

No. He should have chosen a more appropriate course, learn a trade or join an apprentice scheme. There are many possible routes. Not every kid is cut out for academic subjects and learning 15-20% of the course content is a waste of everyone’s time and effort.

a grade E is not decent. It is a waste of tax payers’ money.

Schools really shouldn’t be asking pupils to leave due to grades in year 12 as that is effectively excluding students unlawfully.

Schools are allowed to set entrance grades to start A-levels but not to chuck them out mid course based on grades/ predicted grades.

There was a bit of fuss about it a couple of years ago. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-44793707

Some, unethically, do put pressure on students to leave but can’t actually exclude. Too much pressure based on league tables and obsession with top grades, when all passes are a pass!

They are just letters. You need have multiple level grades. If you only have A-C how on earth do you separate people? Three grades? Hi do you separate the people that can get to Oxbridge, red bricks, polys and everything
In Between. It also depend on the subject. I would see an E in chemistry or physics as bigger achievement than C in an easier A-level such as media studies.

A levels are not for everyone, but if someone is capable of getting them, even at D/E grades, they should be allowed to try.

@whenwillthemadnessend

*their

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCE_Advanced_Level_(United_Kingdom)#Grading

It kind of makes a mockery of A level pass grades if D and E aren't of much value. Why not make the pass cut off higher?

I agree with this. If A-level reforms have meant that many more students now achieve top grades then they should just get rid of the D and E grades if they don't get you into university and "don't mean anything."

Some teachers are bullying arseholes. Is it possible this teacher is one? Sounds like a shitty threat rather than anything else. And I wouldn't look too kindly on those.

It's common practice in selective schools to manage out pupils with insufficient grades. There was an article about a grammar doing this during y12 so they can look good in league tables.

I remember that. It isn't just selective schools that do this. DD's old school does it as well. They make it clear at the start of 6th form that anyone who doesn't achieve a minimum of DDD at the end of year 12 will be asked to leave.

It kind of makes a mockery of A level pass grades if D and E aren't of much value. Why not make the pass cut off higher?

Sorry, but the days are long gone where you could get a place in clearing with EED. I agree that what they take students with and what they say they want do differ but we are generally talking perhaps managing to get a place some where for a 3 year degree with CDD at worst. And gaining that place (unless those grades are a result of the now dwindling unconditional offers) would involve a lot of scrabbling around and stress on results days.

Yes but what many universities say they need and what they will accept in practice are two very different things.

I gather some pretty low grades are accepted through clearing these days, (not thinking so much of 2020, which was obviously different) because many universities are looking to fill places and the number of 18yr olds has fallen.

Dd is planning to study psychology at a RG uni and needs AAB. You might want to look up the course you did and see what the requirements are now because chances are it will be higher.

It's common practice in selective schools to manage out pupils with insufficient grades. There was an article about a grammar doing this during y12 so they can look good in league tables.

Talk to your dd- did she revise the right topic? Did she revise? Was it her best or could she get higher if she sat the same test in a week? Sometimes there's one off annoying circumstances like the person sitting next to her constantly blowing their nose or something.

My dd is in y13 and doing psychology A-level and getting top grades but she did GCSE and learned the correct exam techniques which makes the world of difference. When the teacher goes over the test get her to take note of the important exam technique pointers. Memorizing the studies only goes so far.

Thank you TheLetterZ I wasn't sure when the reforms took place. My niece took 4 A levels when they were coupled with AS levels, so she basically took 4 half A levels in year 12 and 4 half A levels in year 13.

DD took 3 A levels in 2018 and sat 3 full A levels (the equivalent of 6 x half A levels)

The A-levels were reformed in 2015. So anyone taking the exams before then are talking about different qualifications.

OP if it is just this one test or have her scores always been low? If her anxiety is bad is school and a-levels right for her this year? Would a year out and then starting again in September be better? Or does she just need to really get her head into her school work?

Chatteris is correct. Memorising the textbook is how DD achieved an A at AS level. And she isn't that great at essay writing.

She’s only a term in and it’s not been a great start for any of them.
Give her time.

She needs to read the textbook, take notes, read the notes, read the book again, make more notes, and memorise.

A levels, like GCSEs are designed to cater for students with a range of different abilities. They are not only for those who can get A*s and As.

Whether it is worth doing a subject in which you are likely to get an E depends very much on the circumstances, or course. Someone getting 3 Es won't get to Cambridge, but they will still have 3 A levels.

If the OP's daughter was in the upper 6th, no doubt she would be more concerned. As it is, especially given the start this cohort have had to their 6th form studies, I'd have thought that it was a bit early to suggest dropping the subject. Of course the teacher will have a much better idea of her ability and aptitude.

How harsh everyone is.

I'd like to see there a level grades