Official Sixth Form rejection email. Knew it was coming, but still :(

[GCSEstress]

Hi,

So DD got her mock results a while a go and only had 4 5's or above and needed at least 5. She did get a couple of 6's and overall, I was very proud of her and she worked so hard, so it's really going to be a real kick in the teeth when she sees this rejection in writing later, although we knew the criteria, so was obviously expected.

She's not actually expected to pass Maths and this is by far her weakest subject and she needs to pass this. It honestly makes me so cross that this could hold her back from going far in the subjects she is naturally good at, such as English and Art. Seems so unfair and nonsensical!

Trying not to be too negative, as she does only need 1 more 5 as it stands, but that still won't guarantee her a place.

We've obviously looked at other sixth forms and colleges, but they either have tougher entry requirements or the courses (not A level) are just not what DD is interested in.

How can I best support DD through this? She's likely on the autistic spectrum and struggles to build new friendships, so staying at her current school is definitely her preference, but also just for general familiarity, not just friendships.

Be great to hear from those of you with experience of this.

Thanks 😊

We found that the CGP books www.cgpbooks.co.uk/secondary-books/gcse/maths, were really helpful for homework and revision ( a few years ago anyway) and they have online video versions as well.
You have to get the right exam board and most up to date published year as they are specifically geared to the format.
My maths methods were so out of date I couldn't often help them, so What I liked about it was that it was very clear and would show the step-by-step solution to typical questions, outlining the method and this was helpful if the person had missed a step in class for any reason. It was usually better than ploughing through a dull text book, we found. (Other revision books are available). Having said that it is easier to have a tutor to help with one to one difficulties.
I've heard Mr Hegarty's online maths vids are good, but never tried myself. Someone on here may know. hegartymaths.com/

Im not sure if the email is saying we've accepted your application but grades may not get through... Or if they have rejected your application and said apply again if you get the grades. Its worth double checking.
Also not giving up hope because people apply to several sixth forms and move or change their mind even if they've got a place and so even if they say they have xxx entries, they may not be turning people down in the end, but being on the official application list is important, even if you don't get a confirmed place at first. Its also worth looking at the A levels she does want to do. If the school has another open day, book yourself on and see if you can talk to the subject teachers/head of year for second opinion/advice.
Have a look at the UCAS site, as it has lots of info about sixth form and FE colleges now and routes to particular courses/careers. And there are other routes to uni rather than just doing an A level..eg two A levels and another qualification or doing a 1 Year foundation course at the uni/college. Best of luck.

Does she have a preferred direction or subjects she likes?

Can you look at finding post 16 options that fit with her strengths?

45 min driving - but how long on public transport? 2+ in her mocks sounds like a 4 in the summer is likely to be too much of a stretch - but we’ll done to her if this is an improvement for her. It’s so hard to preserve at a subject you struggle in.

it sounds like an arts college would suit her much more than one where she’s expected to have maths GCSE. I would explore the other college option and see if you can make that work.

Why on earth are they rejecting on mock results? I've never heard of anywhere doing that - schools or colleges. Most provisionally accept you, dependant on final results. My DD pulled all her mock grades up last year by at least one grade.

Because,not, everyone does Alevels ,there are loads of post 16 courses that offer courses at all levels depending on GCSe,results and kids can work there way up.from say level 2 courses to.level three .

Discuss vocations and the fact humanities and art are not typical earners really (I did History, zero clamour from employers for a History degree). So many things she could do it would make sense to explore some realistic options that lead to careers. It’d been a blessing for me to go down the vocational route and actually be skilled at something, which I feel is undervalued these days.

Just a bit of advice - I work in an exams office at a school and college - if she struggles with time management speak to her senco and ask about a prompter. We have students who struggle with time management and now they aren’t allowed watches with most exam boards it doesn’t help, but a prompter may be able to remind her to work.
Most exam structure is known before the exam as the boards have past papers out etc - her tutor should be able to help her with time management to allocate time to each section and maybe practice past papers with that in mind keep looking at the clock to practice with that.
Exam technique can help if you can get her maths teacher to teach her that as well as how to do the work.
These maybe things you already know - just a few ideas that may help.

No advice just feel for your both - fingers crossed that it all works out for you and she gets into her first choice x

@CornishGem1975 Honestly, I don't know. We assumed that yes, if her GCSE grades were the same as her mocks, then she wouldn't get in, but an official rejection letter wouldn't go out until then.

It does say you can reapply, but it reads as though those who already meet the criteria will get priority.

Find a maths tutor if you can afford one. My maths teacher developed O level maths for junior high (I was 13yo when I did the syllabus) so it's easy to break maths down to make it easier. If you can't afford one, find free videos on YouTube. She will need help organising herself and focussing on doing maths sge finds difficult.

Once she has exam results and has passed she may get in our could go to college.

Good luck, maths is a nightmare and honestly what parts of it do most of us use?! Its only engineers, scientists, statisticians, analysts and mathmeticians that use more of the maths we learnt.

Thanks for all the advice.

@ChicCroissant and @Sickoffamilydrama

I have never heard of functional maths! How does that work in terms of meeting criteria if every student needs at least a 4 in standard GCSE?

God the English school system is bloody broken.

My heart goes out to you OP
In scotland sixth form is guaranteed no matter grades. The school will work with pupils to steer them into FE, Advanced highers (a levels) repeat Nat 5's or find apprenticeships etc

To be fair, they are telling you now so that you can find her a place elsewhere. A lot of places have closed applications already. The reality is that with 4s and 5s she isn't going to succeed at A levels anyway unfortunately. Its worth looking at a btec with maths resit if necessary. She might find maths easier if she isn't trying to juggle 9 other subjects too.

That's really harsh of the school.
I would agree with the advice to explore FE colleges, rather than specific sixth form colleges. Locally to me, several FE colleges accept pupils onto A level courses with 5 9-4 GCSEs and, depending on the college, either a 4 or a 5 in the A level subjects chosen. If you don't have maths GCSE then you're automatically enrolled on a resit course.

This was my first thought too.

It's not broken at all just like i n Scotland my sons school.has worked with him to find the best c course for him ,he's got an interview to do a creative media course,he's not academic in the slightest but there are so many different courses available to him regardless of his results
ibe only on mumsnet that you could be forgiven for thinkin g,it's Alevels or nothing g post 16 .

An actual diagnosis may not be strictly necessary, but it will make things much easier as she changes school. Most importantly it makes it easier for school to give her extra time in exams and possibly a quiet space to sit them, which can make all the difference.

good luck.

Again not everybody sits bloody Alevels 🙄

You need a shit hot maths tutor.

Functional Skills level 2 is gcse pass equivalent (although a few jobs require gcse itself)

Well obviously. But if you can’t find a course (not just bloody A levels 🤣) that will take you that you are also interested in, what do you do.

each Local Education Authority will have some kind of service to identify and help those who don't find their niche. this is one example prospect-training.org.uk/you-could-be.html

@LIZS so that isn't the same as a foundation? How does it differ? I'm very confused. Nobody has ever mentioned that to me before.

@Sublimeursula please don't. You really know very little about the situation to sound so judgemental.