PE A level as a private candidate or self teach in 6th form?

Thanks for the info @scoopofmintchocchipicecream . I was unaware of that.

Because of the NEA, A level PE is incredibly hard to do as a private candidate.

Before signing up to Oxbridge, it is worth doing some due diligence. They were offering A level PE without pupils actually being able to sit the exam/NEA. I don’t think that has changed. They also went into administration last year leaving lots high and dry. They are still selling courses without being able to fulfil them properly.

Maybe this is of interest to you:
oxbridgehomelearning.uk/course/a-level-physical-education/

Could he do something other than A-level to feed his interest in sport science? For instance, the OU has sports science modules, which are designed for distance learning. Or there might be some professional coaching qualifications for his sport.
If he wants to do maths at university, the other three A-levels should be fine for that, and hopefully the school would be willing to allow him to do only three if they know he is doing something worthwhile with the rest of the time and they are sure enough that he will cope with further maths. (Some schools insist on four when one is further maths, not because three isn't enough, but because further maths has a bit of a drop-out rate, and it's much easier to let students drop it if they will still be doing three.)

The OP has confirmed everything is sat at the end of y13 which is what I would expect (I misunderstood).

Doing Maths the 1st year and Further Maths the 2nd is and has been the normal route since I was at school a long time ago.

OK it’s great that he loves FM and yes if he were not doing well at PE he could certainly drop it and get excellent offers for maths with maths, FM and biology.

I promise you though that PE A level is a perfectly good A level. I’ve never heard of an employer or apprenticeship sniffing at it. This is often said on MN but I've never seen any actual evidence?

Mate of DS2's took maths, FM and PE A level, went to Bath, got a place on a really ££-paying placement in his third year and went on to a very good job role. I realise that's just one example.

Yes that’s the plan, I think it will suit him much more tbh. He’s a bright boy, just not got the academic drive of his brother!!

It is a 4th A level that unis will see as less academic anyway so it doesn't matter if not an A-star

Universities don't tend to regard PE A level as less academic. Although it’s true it’s not on the recommended list for Cambridge. DS had offers from four RG and an RG+ with PE A level. Many unis actually accept it as a science.

Also at a few unis, I believe that if a student takes four A levels, uni will offer based on those four. As in, they won't say “three A stars and if the fourth one is a C that’s fine.” Not that it sounds as tho your DS will be gaining a C grade tbf.

ETA: Missed that he is doing biology. Actually DS2 was going to do maths, FM, PE, biology, so the same subjects. In the end he dropped FM and was glad he did actually as maths was enough. But he always said he was doing two biology A levels (degree is in human bio).

Yeah the full marks on the practical will definitely play a huge part on his grade, DS is much more on the theory side.
He scored really low on the A level practical element too and still managed to get an A, his strength is definitely not playing sport to a high level!!! Ironically I’ve got a younger DS who is an elite sportsman in 2 sports, trains 6 days a week but won’t get to do A level PE as he won’t get the grades to get into 6th form!
The fact that he’s doing Biology will definitely help as well, DS did Geography as his 3rd subject so obviously not relevant.

Absolutely fine, well as fine as it could be as he did GCSE’s during Covid so got teacher assessed grades. Got an 8 but his practical element was really low (he’s a good all round sportsman but not an elite level). He got an A at A-level and an A star in Psychology which he self taught. Honestly A level PE is an enormous jump from GCSE, I’m sure you already know that. His first year at Loughborough, the course content was basically redoing A level PE to give you an idea of the level expected at A level.
Does he have any idea what he wants to do afterwards? He sounds like an incredibly intelligent young man.

My DS self taught himself an A level subject, not through choice but because he had no teacher for the second year of the subject. It was absolutely brutal and nearly broke him (psychology). He also did A level PE and the content is huge, so it’s a massive undertaking to do that by yourself. DS is now at Loughborough studying Sports Science so it was incredibly important for him to get the best grades possible.

Most 6th forms don't allow students to take maths A level with a grade 6 at GCSE.

In that case could he do PE but not attend lessons? So do any homework set etc, get lesson slides, use a tutor to keep up?
So officially do it with school but dispensation not to be in lessons.

He could choose to just do M at school/college though over 2 years, and do FM privately. Would seem an easier ask than asking them to assess for and enter privately for PE.