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Original poster

Chance to change Alevel choices -advice needed

56 replies

Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:24

Ds didn’t get his first choice to stay on at his grammar school for 6th form. His GCSE results were a bit disappointing . I’m gutted he’s not staying on as it’s only 3 miles away and most of his friends are staying on. He is 5 point off so I’m not sure there is any point in appealing. So he will be going to a college 8 miles away. The college offers a wider a choice of Alevels. Ds has basically lost any motivation now after being disappointed so is not really interested in exploring all options. He is not strong on English and has no really career aspirations at the moment . We have an enrolment appointment on Tuesday. College offers Accounting A level. Anyone have any experience ? I like the thought that it is vocational and useful for so many employers. He is set on Business Studies. But trying to choose 3rd Alevel. I suggested Geography, but he didn’t study it for GCSE. It doesn’t require you to have but wondered if it would be disadvantage for him? Any other A-level recommendations that would work please.

OP posts:
southernbelles · 25/08/2023 22:21

I work in a college and have done for years, so have seen the progression from BTECs to T Levels. One thing to be aware of is that industry placement is a compulsory part of a T Level. This is a minimum of 315 hours over the course of the 2 years, though many don't start it until the second year. The way in which it is timetabled depends on the college. Ours does it on a one day a week basis. It is a lot easier to find a placement in Business than many other T Levels. It sounds like an awful lot but it's a fantastic opportunity to get a foot in the door; many of the students I work with personally come out of their course not only with a qualification, but also a job or apprenticeship thanks to their placement.

Hellocatshome · 25/08/2023 22:15

Unless you are aiming for university A levels are not necessarily the best route but unfortunately some people see them as the normal progression from GCSEs and anything else as second best. BTecs and apprenticeships are perfectly acceptable ways of progressing.

RedHelenB · 25/08/2023 22:10

T levels are set to replace Btecs so if there is an opportunity to do a business type over he might prefer that? His grades seem a bit on the low side for A levels or did he just do poorly in his exams compared to what he was predicted?

senua · 25/08/2023 22:10

Have you delved into why a grammar-level student got those grades. Is there some undiagnosed SpLD going on. Or just laziness / lack of motivation.

Shadowboy · 25/08/2023 22:08

I teach geog A level. We take many students who haven’t done geography at GCSE but if he came to me with his profile I would say no- sorry. He would need 6’s in English if he hasn’t got a 6 in geog. It’s based around essay writing, if he can’t write- he will struggle.

Moonlaserbearwolf · 25/08/2023 22:04

I teach a-level geography and I’m afraid I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who hasn’t achieved at least a 6 at GCSE in a humanities subject (ideally a 7). Contrary to popular belief, it’s not an easy a-level, especially if you have no particular interest in the subject.

Takoneko · 25/08/2023 22:03

I know very little about T levels so am no use there.

Takoneko · 25/08/2023 22:03

BTEC Business is a good course. If he can do the extended diploma (equivalent to three A Levels), I’d imagine that would suit him far better than assorted A Levels that he’s not that bothered about.
They are accepted by most unis including most of the Russell Group (obviously as long as it’s for entry to a course that doesn’t require specific a levels).

Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:59

Ohmylovejune · 25/08/2023 21:54

What about BTECs.

I did one (I'm a Chartered Accountant)

Both my children did BTECs and are doing very well, son nailed a degree apprenticeship with his.

Our nearest college doesn’t offer BTECs unfortunately but do offer t levels

OP posts:
Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:58

Thelondonone · 25/08/2023 21:52

His results are not really strong enough for a levels so I agree with pp that he should look at btec business.

I was hoping they would be ok - most of the colleges locally offer Alevels if you get 5 GCSEs at 4 and above. Do you think he will struggle?

OP posts:
Ohmylovejune · 25/08/2023 21:55

My BTEC was Business and Finance (1984-86)

Ohmylovejune · 25/08/2023 21:54

What about BTECs.

I did one (I'm a Chartered Accountant)

Both my children did BTECs and are doing very well, son nailed a degree apprenticeship with his.

Thelondonone · 25/08/2023 21:52

His results are not really strong enough for a levels so I agree with pp that he should look at btec business.

Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:52

elkiedee · 25/08/2023 21:48

Is the Accounting an A level or another qualification? Accountancy training often seems to involve a lot of quite tough exams, and would the style of assessment suit him?

Have you talked about what within the Business Studies course appeals to him most?

Does college do Business Studies as an A level and/or do they have related qualifications? Or options that aren't on offer in a Grammar School sixth form?

Having to go elsewhere if most of his friends are staying on at school sounds hard.

I’m really struggling to adjust to a different plan and worry about him as he is gutted he won’t be with his friends next year. Yes accounting is an Alevel qualification so I thought it would work well with Business.

OP posts:
Quitelikeacatslife · 25/08/2023 21:52

I'd have said that a general business course can be applied to anything and possibly less limiting than not succeeding in traditional academic environment which doesn't really seem to be working for him

GirlsWithGuitars · 25/08/2023 21:51

This is the one I was thinking of - random college page so don’t know if your son’s college would do it

https://www.oxfordsixthformcollege.com/courses/btec-btec-level-3-extended-diploma/

Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:50

Quitelikeacatslife · 25/08/2023 21:43

Is there a business btec he can do at college? Rather than random subjects ? Economics?

The college does do T levels so I guess that is an option. I just don’t want to limit his options going forward

OP posts:
GirlsWithGuitars · 25/08/2023 21:49

Is there still the business btec that is equivalent to 2 or 3 A levels? It’s been a while since I looked into that.

elkiedee · 25/08/2023 21:48

Is the Accounting an A level or another qualification? Accountancy training often seems to involve a lot of quite tough exams, and would the style of assessment suit him?

Have you talked about what within the Business Studies course appeals to him most?

Does college do Business Studies as an A level and/or do they have related qualifications? Or options that aren't on offer in a Grammar School sixth form?

Having to go elsewhere if most of his friends are staying on at school sounds hard.

Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:44

Turquoisa80 · 25/08/2023 21:41

What subjects draw him, the sciences, computers, the arts, Humanities and go down that route. I wouldn't do random choices and would encourage him to pick a strand and subjects that will compliment eachother

@Turquoisa80 , I think this is where we are really struggling. He is not really any of those categories. He did find business easy so I’m trying to find suitable subjects to go with business.

OP posts:
Quitelikeacatslife · 25/08/2023 21:43

Is there a business btec he can do at college? Rather than random subjects ? Economics?

noblegiraffe · 25/08/2023 21:43

With that set of results I wouldn't necessarily focus on A-levels and would start looking at BTECs and more vocational options. Has he looked at other courses?

Turquoisa80 · 25/08/2023 21:41

What subjects draw him, the sciences, computers, the arts, Humanities and go down that route. I wouldn't do random choices and would encourage him to pick a strand and subjects that will compliment eachother

Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:40

noblegiraffe · 25/08/2023 21:36

You seem to be flailing about at random. What grades did he get? What are his best subjects? Any interests?

thanks @noblegiraffe . His results are
maths 6, biology, chemistry and physics 5, business studies 7, history 4, psychology 4, English lit 4, English 4.

He enjoyed business and biology last year.

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 25/08/2023 21:36

You seem to be flailing about at random. What grades did he get? What are his best subjects? Any interests?

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