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Original poster

Suggestions for A levels - last minute rethink

39 replies

MoshiMoshiSushi · 24/03/2021 13:55

DD1 has been struggling to keep up with GCSEs since lockdown and while she looks to get decent grades (a mixture of 6s, 7s and 8s), it is indicative of the fact she may find A levels at her school's sixth form a challenge. The school is a very high achieving one so we have always wondered if it is the best option for her but as it is local to us it has worked for us as a family. The question is (a) where to send her and (b) how to present it without her seeing it as a negative. DH has recently been made redundant so there is an opportunity to consider sending her to a sixth form college. Her school said they would be there for careers advice until she goes to university and the head said she would happily check her UCAS forms. They really are looking at her best outcomes from all this and I must admit it did make me shed a tear. We live in Surrey and I wondered if anyone had suggestions or similar experiences and could share what they found worked? Thanks in advance.

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Original poster
MoshiMoshiSushi · 07/05/2021 22:32

Thank you @rainpurplerain (me too Grin) Meanwhile her grades continue to gradually creep up as she is determined to show her best performance for this final effort at her current school.

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rainpurplerain · 07/05/2021 22:09

Gosh, what a really lovely thread. OP - I hope your daughter thrives!

Original poster
MoshiMoshiSushi · 29/04/2021 06:20

Thank you @crazycrofter and @Zandathepanda That’s really kind of you to post.

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Zandathepanda · 28/04/2021 23:03

What a lovely thread to just read from a bad start to a good finish. Good luck to your Dd for the future.

crazycrofter · 28/04/2021 21:37

That’s great news, I hope she really thrives.

Original poster
MoshiMoshiSushi · 28/04/2021 21:01

@GU24Mum She has really flourished as a result of this sudden change in direction! Loving her newfound confidence. Thank you for your support and guidance.

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GU24Mum · 28/04/2021 20:40

That's great news - you ana your daughter must hopefully be feeling far more
positive and upbeat about September now.

Original poster
MoshiMoshiSushi · 28/04/2021 18:29

Update (as all threads should have a good news ending right?) DD has been offered a place at St John's. The kid has a tour, online assessment and two interviews, all while in the middle of GCSEs. She really has risen to the challenge and the feedback was very positive. She is really motivated to do her best in her GCSEs and looking forward to the change of scene. The fees are eye watering but I have decided mum's legacy will be used to help her granddaughter on her way in her new sixth form. What better use of my mum's legacy than to help DD flourish the last two years at school? Thank you for all your supportive messages which helped me get there in a very short space of time.

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Pumpkintopf · 28/03/2021 15:05

Also - pressed send too soon - sorry to hear about your DH's redundancy. I can appreciate how worrying that must be.

Pumpkintopf · 28/03/2021 15:04

Well it sounds as though your DD is not only open to alternatives but viewing them as a positive move so that may be the right way to go, especially if you feel the school might be difficult if you insisted on your DD continuing. It's extraordinary though that she's top 1% nationally and they don't think she'll keep up, especially as you've said that they've worked well with you to support her in the past.

Original poster
MoshiMoshiSushi · 28/03/2021 11:25

@Pumpkintopf Oh no doubt they are railroading us, and at a very late stage of the proceedings. I am being consciously magnanimous because their suggestion isn't without foundation and I do agree. But as with all these things you can take it forwards either way. DH has recently been made redundant too so I can't help wondering if we can choose to make our lives easier by relieving some of the financial stress? Not that it should influence what is in DD1's best interests but I am conscious of where the stresses exist for our family and finances is one of them now.

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Pumpkintopf · 28/03/2021 10:59

Makes sense op, I just wondered to what extent the school were railroading you. But of course if you and your DD feel that she would be happier elsewhere then that's different.

Original poster
MoshiMoshiSushi · 28/03/2021 10:58

@Lonecatwithkitten Thank you for your post. That has got me thinking even more outside of the box - of course, there is another way to bridge this period to university isn't there? I am pleased your DD is much happier. I hope mine can be too. I want her to see what I can see in her.

@GU24Mum of course. Thank you for any insights.

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Lonecatwithkitten · 28/03/2021 10:11

@MoshiMoshiSushi your DD sounds similar to mine very bright as able to achieve we despite a Learning difficulty (visual processing in my DD's case). DD did really 8s and a couple of 9s at GCSE so on the face of it an ideal candidate for A-levels.
All the options we considered at sixth form had at least one A-level worth of BTEC as she like the idea of bite sized pieces over two years. In the end she choose an extended diploma ( equivalent to 3 A-levels) and she is a changed girl the constant bite sized pieces of continuous assessment suits her so much better as firstly it's not all written on paper she can keep evidence in a wide variety of ways. She is so much happier and I hadn't realised how much she struggled with school till she moved she is on track for triple D * which is the same as a full set of A star at A level.

GU24Mum · 28/03/2021 09:49

OP, I'll pm you if that's ok.

Original poster
MoshiMoshiSushi · 28/03/2021 09:37

@Pumpkintopf Interestingly DH wants to dig heels in and insist she stays. I am not sure I want to second guess their judgment and presume to know better. She may well do OK there but I also wonder whether it is an opportunity to help her move onto a place where her talents are recognised. She is amongst the top 1% nationally in her school but because she is in the bottom of her cohort, not really focused on. I suspect elsewhere she would have more focus and realise she is exceptional. She has got this far with only a recent diagnosis of dyslexia too so it really is a credit to her to have managed it in her funny way.

@gleegeek I know! The choice is wonderful but she is apprehensive of the reputation of GC in particular from stories she has heard. There is an element of wanting to put herself out there but being confident enough to face what may come. When she hears negative stories it makes her less keen. She said "I just need to hear from people who have enjoyed the move to want to go somewhere". Currently she is chatting to someone at Ashbourne College in London. Logistics and eye watering fees aside, it looks great Grin

@PorcelainCatStack Thank you and I think you are right. It is disappointing but at least they are honest while trying to be kind. TBH they have had a difficult time with the way the pandemic has affected their output/results. I can see why they may adopt a more ruthless approach even if it isn't nice to be on the receiving end. The other DDs are quite happy there and doing well and they were keen to say they love the family and want us to stay but worry for DD1's wellbeing. She has been assisted and recovered through a period of OCD in year 5 so they do know her well and have been a superb school for me to work with.

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PorcelainCatStack · 28/03/2021 08:24

Sorry for your loss OP. I know how the feelings of loss can mirror a feeling of rejection and you’re doing so well to recognise that and focus on your DD. She sounds lovely and it sounds to me as if she’d thrive elsewhere. You’re doing a great job turning it as if it was her choice and I’d carry on with that route rather than feeling as if her school is asking her to leave. They clearly don’t want interesting good people, just pure ruthless results.

gleegeek · 27/03/2021 22:58

Godalming college and woking college do a huge range of a-level and btec subjects. Dd left her state secondary with 7,8,9 GCSEs but still felt that she wasn't good enough. A few weeks into college we realised she wasn't dreading school anymore and was making loads of new friends. I can't recommend moving highly enough!

Pumpkintopf · 27/03/2021 22:51

Do you feel moving is the right decision for your DD op? Is that what you want to do or is school pushing you in a direction you don't want to take?

Do they have a requirement for eg a grade 8 in a subject in order to pursue it to A level?

Titsywoo · 27/03/2021 22:33

That's awful - I went to a private school and remember being called to the headteachers office to discuss whether it was best for me to continue my ALevels since I wasn't planning to go to Uni and the rest of my year were. I politely told them to do one and stayed until the end of 6th form but it was a terrible thing for them to have done.

My DD is going to go to a 6th form college (Reigate) as she likes the courses there and to be honest she never really got on at her school. I think they are treated more like adults at college - at her school sixth form they still have to follow a lot of rules that are really more appropriate for the younger ones.

Original poster
MoshiMoshiSushi · 27/03/2021 22:27

Thank you for the idea @halftermbreak I’ll look into it. Although discussing around it by looking into her third A level choice (she can’t decide which one to choose) we’ve come to the conclusion that sixth form colleges offer both a wider range of subjects and boys! And a more relaxed mixed environment is something she’s really interested in. So while I’ve not yet told her the news (I’m being a coward as I’m protecting her from the news of the rejection) she’s decided she’d like to find somewhere else to go to for A levels. So we’re moving in a direction that’s positive... but not quite resolved. We’ve even looked in towards London!

@Biscuitsneeded I do feel they’re let her down with timing the decision. It’s really put us in a difficult position and it’s the last thing I could do with now as I’m knee deep in sorting out things after my mum suddenly passed away last month. Honestly this has sort of compounded the feeling of rejection on my part (which is understandable but more illusory - it’s not my education here!) which is why I’m trying to stay focused and practical and positive for DD.

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Biscuitsneeded · 27/03/2021 22:06

Oh my goodness. Your poor DD. A school that makes a child who is going to get 6s 7s and 8s feel that in some way they are not good enough is not a good school. It may well spew out tons of girls with all grade 9s (and a fair few eating disorders and other dysfunctions, I'll warrant) every year, but it is failing miserably at building up confidence. There is no way those grades are not good enough for A-levels. You might want to be strategic with subject choices and not try to do maths, chemistry or MFL without at least 7s or 8s, but there's no reason why your poor DD can't do really well - she sounds like she has a perfectly good brain and a decent work ethic, both of which will make her a valued employee one day. I would look at local state options post haste and at least the last two years of her school career can be happy ones where she gets to see that she is valuable because of who she is and not just as a set of grades.

halftermbreak · 27/03/2021 21:55

I should have added that a mixture of 6,7 and 8s would be absolutely fine with FHS, preferably but not essentially with 7s in her A level subjects.

halftermbreak · 27/03/2021 21:54

It's a left-field choice, but if you are anywhere near it, I can recommend the sixth form at Farnborough Hill School. DD decided to repeat Y12 with a different set of A levels and FHS was one of the few choices available. It has turned out to be surprisingly good, with excellent teaching and pastoral care and a cohort of sixth formers that DD has described as 'freakishly nice'. The fees are definitely at the lower end of Surrey private schools.

Original poster
MoshiMoshiSushi · 24/03/2021 15:49

Thank you @redpandaalert those do seem possibilities. Although the cost of some are eye wateringly expensive! I know she can thrive in the right environment.

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