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Original poster

Changing school halfway though year 12

42 replies

Rickandportly · 22/11/2019 08:09

Long story short, we can’t afford to rent where we are living any longer. Or within an hour of here. So we have to move and the best place is 200 miles away where DH family are.

Ds just stared year 12 sixth form. But because he messed up some of his GCSEs he’s doing an odd mix of a Btech and 1 A level and retaking maths gcse. I’ve contacted a few schools And colleges in the area we want to move to. None of them off the mix he is doing.

I really don’t know what to do!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

OP posts:
BillHadersNewWife · 22/11/2019 08:15

A boy in our village lodged with another family in similar circumstances...is there anyone you could ask? How much of his course has he got to go?

BlueLadybird · 22/11/2019 08:17

It’s very very hard to move school in Y12. Even if he were to be taking more a more standard mix of courses it would be difficult because of the different syllabuses and timeline of teaching.

If you are moving to a completely new area it would probably be better for your DS if he could start Y12 again next September when we can make friends at the same time everyone else is.

The ideal would be if he could carry on and get his GCSE maths this academic year then he doesn’t need to do it next year.

What does he want to do after sixth form? A mix of Btech and A Level is notoriously hard to do anything with.

adaline · 22/11/2019 08:24

Is it possible for him to stay with a friend or family member while he finishes his exams?

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LIZS · 22/11/2019 08:25

Agree , take maths gcse this year and follow up with level 3 next restarting in September 2020. He may also be able to take other short courses or volunteer alongside this year while getting used to new area and have options that may not have been available previously.

Original poster
Rickandportly · 22/11/2019 08:30

We have no one here. No family and only acquaintances. No one for him to stay with.

He’s set on joining police at 18. Another year would hold him back with that.

Plus we can’t move until our contract is up in May - which is a horrible time to move but we can’t break contract before then.

He won’t pass maths this year either. He’s awful at it. I’ve spent thousands on tutors over the years.

I’m so stuck.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rickandportly · 22/11/2019 08:30

So he’d Ali most be finished year 12 in may and would have to do year 12 all over again somewhere else.

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Original poster
Rickandportly · 22/11/2019 08:32

*almost be finished

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adaline · 22/11/2019 08:33

Can he spend this year focusing on one thing instead? So maybe he does his GCSE and either the BTechs or the A-level. He might need to accept that he needs to put his dreams on hold for a while.

Kpo58 · 22/11/2019 08:35

Could DS stay with DH's family for now and go to college near them so that he doesn't need to move when you move up and join him?

LIZS · 22/11/2019 08:35

It won't hold him back to retake y12, plenty do. Is he taking Public Services btec? He needs his gcse Maths regardless and ideally at least 5 passes.

Original poster
Rickandportly · 22/11/2019 08:36

He actually got mostly Level 8s (and one 9) just the level 4 in maths. He’s never, ever got maths. Even from a 5 year old. So they would only let him to the one a level that he got the 9 in and a btech in business that he finds easy. It’s the maths that has always held him back.

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Original poster
Rickandportly · 22/11/2019 08:38

Plus I have the added stress of his dad, my ex h (who doesn’t live close to us or where we will move to) to add into the mix.

OP posts:
LIZS · 22/11/2019 08:39

He won't pass his btec until he passes maths. Unless it is a level1/2 which is probably not enough to get into the police anyway. What is the A level subject?

Original poster
Rickandportly · 22/11/2019 08:40

Also, to give up the A level would be a shame as it’s the one thing he’s really good at.

I hate being in this situation.

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Original poster
Rickandportly · 22/11/2019 08:40

A level is English.

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Original poster
Rickandportly · 22/11/2019 08:40

Btech is level 3 business.

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Ginfordinner · 22/11/2019 08:44

Isn't a level 4 a pass anyway?

Original poster
Rickandportly · 22/11/2019 08:46

Level 5 is. Anyway, he didn’t pass it. Needs to retake.

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45andfine · 22/11/2019 08:47

Will the police accept him without Maths? May is a long time away. He needs to focus getting his Maths this year, move and then start year 12 again doing what he actually wants to do instead of the strange mix. Lots of students do it, and in a new area, no-one will actually know he's a year older of that's what he's worried about.

daisypond · 22/11/2019 08:47

Why doesn’t he take two or three A levels , if he got 8s in all subjects? A more normal combination would be easier to move with. Can he not do a functional maths qualification? 18 is very young to aim to join the police. It would be easier to get in if he’s a bit older, I would think. Those I know in the police joined in their mid 20s to 30s.

Hepsibar · 22/11/2019 08:50

As so many young people do, he can always start year 12 again fresh at a new college in your new area. He will been fine with his BTEC, it's the A level and maths that will take the real hard work and there are lots of very good online things on Youtube for maths and also there will be maths tutors elsewhere.

I would not like to leave my young person with another family.

This is one of those things like moving from primary to secondary that is a big issue at the time and before but actually is manageable and getoverable even if v stressful at the time. (From a quick google, your son could get into the police with a Level 4 in maths and it only requires BTEC Level 2.)

Original poster
Rickandportly · 22/11/2019 08:52

No he needs to pass the maths to do anything. He knows that. He’s trying so hard, has done for years but he’s just terrible at it. So good at everything else but the maths stumps him. Tried so many different ways and tutors over the years.

Throwing away doing a level English would be such a waste though, he’s so good at it.

He’s not worried about moving. He’s incredibly sociable, makes friends so easily.

But I know be wouldn’t want to repeat year 12.

OP posts:
adaline · 22/11/2019 08:52

I'm confused. The MET website doesn't say you need maths to join, just a GCSE in English language, which he must have already if he's doing an A-level in it?

So is there any reason why he has to take maths at all?

adaline · 22/11/2019 08:53

To be eligible for recruitment as a Police Constable in the Met, you must hold a level 2 qualification in English Language at a GCSE grade C or above, or grades 4-9. If you do not have this qualification, we will also consider a higher level academic attainment (level 3 or above) in a UK qualification or an English Language equivalent overseas qualification. Please note you will be asked to provide evidence of this at a later stage.

Doesn't say anything about maths.

www.metpolicecareers.co.uk/newconstable/eligibility.php

Original poster
Rickandportly · 22/11/2019 08:54

Daisy - his school wouldn’t accept him for the a level pathway without maths. Nor would the two other 6th forms.

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