A level choices after gcse results

It looks like for SALT they generally don't have specific requirements, but some say a combination of arts and sciences is preferred. I gather that this is because of some of the more clinical SALT roles, it can be quite scientific, when it comes to things like swallow-reflexes due to digestive issues or eating disorders, for example, rather than working with people with other types of communication issues, which makes the natural science choice biology (which is less maths based, perhaps frustratingly for her).

However, some are just a UCAS points tariff still. Unless a subject is an absolute requirement, my general advice would always be to simply maximise getting the best grades by taking strongest subjects.

Perhaps on the side, she could think about something like taking BSL or makaton classes, which may well make her a more interesting candidate?

DD has met an awful lot of students taking both English Lang and English Lit at open days. So it doesn't seem that unusual.

Taking both is no more a poor choice than taking biology and chemistry "because they are both science".

(I know OP's DC doesn't want to take English Lit, but there's an awful lot of rubbish being spouted on here about taking 2 English A levels).

You asked about BTEC applied science a few posts back. I’ve taught the BTEC extended certificate in Applied Science for years. It’s definitely accepted as a science qualification by some good universities. Looking at that profile of GCSE results, she’d probably get at least a distinction (assuming she continues to work hard). It’s a good course when it’s delivered properly. She should ask which optional unit they deliver. Lots of centres do unit 8 which is biology based.

She’s thinking 3 solid A levels with Eng lang (won’t consider lit), history and maybe sociology with the applied science as a 4th.

There’s no way she should be taking 4 A-levels (or equivalents).

City, Leeds Beckett and BCU only require a 4.

I still would not choose 2 English degrees. Both are respected but it’s unusual to do both. Lit is more commonly offered.

It's really not that unusual to do both! The subject content is very different, and Lang in particular is nothing like GCSE.

I think Google the universities near you/that you're interested in and the courses.

Near me it seems you can do SaLT or Occupational therapy with any 3 a levels as long as they're B+ HOWEVER both courses I looked at needed a 5 in maths..

It's perfectly fine to take science A levels with double science.

Many science teachers on MN have said so and I know students who have done it.

Schools vary in how they allocate double or triple. Sone schools have more able students taking triple, but plenty offer it as an option for anyone. Taking double doesn't mean you are academically weak. Some schools don't even offer triple.

Psychology is and a good mix of essays and science. I'd really push the psychology if possible as it's quite a popular degree option and it's good to have a science if she choose salt too.

I wouldn't do more than 3.

Is sociology a science? I just think she’s not a STEM DD. There are careers that aren’t stem.

No round here triple science if offered is an option block for most schools so at 13 you might well not opt for it.

I old money it's an A and a B in science which is fine for psychology and probably biology its only the maths that's stopped her.

@clary Yes. Adequate. Not the best. Don't most schools use double for middle and lower sets and not top set? I would just feel a dc who wants a science career would be not 6-7 and would be top set and doing the longer syllabus.

3 marks off a grade 5 is extremely unlikely to change on review in maths.

Yes double science has been two grades for a long time now. You get two number grades - they are either the same (5-5, 8-8) or differ by one grade only (6-7). It's an average of scores across the three sciences so if one is stronger and another weaker, that will affect the score.

Double science is perfectly adequate as a lead-in to A levels - might just need a bit of catch-up on content (depending too on how many of the A level cohort did separate sciences).

@NotDonna One of my DDs did combined science and one overall grade was awarded. So not 6/7 because 3 sciences were studied. Has it changed? DD1, who didn’t see herself as a scientist, studied three separately. I thought most DC who favoured science did this? Not sure if all comps offer that, but they should. I’m not convinced DD is seen as a scientist by the school and advice on GCSEs 2 years ago. She’s ended up being better at other subjects so the sciences at A level look to be a bit of a stretch to get anywhere near a decent grade. Then what?

I agree that she really needs to push her favoured options with college IF she’s really keen & determined to work hard. She may have more chance with psychol than biology. But defo push. College won’t know her attitude or determination so it’s worth her trying to convince them.
Have you requested a review of the maths @gluenotsoup and determined how close she was to a 5. That info may help her cause.

If she really wants to do Biology and she was a few marks off the 5 in Maths, have you genuinely exhausted that? I mean she got great grades in Science.......

Ha snap Not Donna. Id be happy with a student getting high scores in science and essays subjects as in a way that's ideal for psychology.

I can see why she's upset. If she'd been thinking biology /psychology and been thinking of a future that had some science in it or even going to study psychology at uni.

I wonder if there's any chance they'd let he run with psychology given shes got good science results.

To change from doing what you thought was biology and psychology to 3 essay subjects is quite a hard adjustment for her.

The school suggestions might not be a bad idea as it sonly is parents that think in terms of A levels and other options ar valid for uni entrance. (but do check unis you might be interested in)

It might mean she could still do psychology at uni for example.

@gluenotsoup how keen is your DD to keep the psychology option? Also how likely is that maths to move up from a 4 after review? Do you know how close it was to a 5? Was she getting much higher in mocks etc? If yes to the above, I’d go back to college and get her to plead her case. Her overall results aren’t bad at all. If college dig their heels in maybe ask if she can start with psychology and resit maths in November? She’d need to be confident that she’d get minimum of a 5 though.