Switching A Level a few months in

[LizzyBizzyLizzy]

My DS (year 12) wants to switch one of his A Levels over to English Literature. He did fairly well at gcse in English (7) but is worried he’s shot in himself in the foot by starting now as there will be a lot of catch up. Has anyone else got experience of this and was it doable? Thanks

Is it still possible to switch at this late stage at his school? It might be a moot point if not!

I would investigate. If he is willing to work over the Christmas holiday - and if the school is willing to cope with late assessments - I think he can catch up

Most schools permit in the first few weeks but after that it very very much depends.

a term is a lot of catch up

English to English Lit should be ok. Cant hurt to ask

My school sixth form has a three week cut-off for course changes. Absolutely no chance this would happen. It would be starting again next September. BUT, you can ask. You never know!

I teach English Lit A level and wouldn't be keen on this. If he has read the texts we are studying in his own time and understands the themes and has read the relevant study guides/notes from classmates/made his own notes, I would maybe consider it, but realistically he's missed a lot. I had someone wanting to swap from biology one year - he started attending lessons but asked to sit at the back catching up on reading the chapters he had missed. That was a hard no. If he's got aptitude and is prepared to put the work in then maybe it could work but it may be better to repeat Y12 at this stage. They get 3 years' funding for p16.