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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

.....to think that these A'Level options clashes are ridiculous?

125 replies

EllieArroway · 11/01/2013 16:37

My DS wants to do Maths, Physics, Chemistry and possibly Biology for his A'Levels - a fairly sensible group for anyone wanting to go into science, I would have thought.

But he can't because Physics clashes with Biology and Maths clashes with Chemistry.

There are other odd clashes too - English & History, Dance & Drama.

I know they can't please all the people all of the time but.......that's a bit strange, isn't it?

OP posts:
BeeBawBabbity · 11/01/2013 17:03

Well I couldn't have gone on to do my degree (chemical engineering) from his school, as it required maths and chemistry too. Disgraceful.

nickelbabe · 11/01/2013 17:05

physics would be a great degree.

they'd be unlikely to give him a place if all 3/4 a-levels aren't science.
it's too cut-throat.

the institute of physics agrees with you about philosophy

5Foot5 · 11/01/2013 17:06

That is exactly the combination of A Levels my DD is doing and, as far as I can tell, is a very usual combination to take.

Utter madness on the school's part and I would be making it clear that unless they can resolve this ridiculous restriction that your DS will have to go elsewhere. How can anyone running a Sixth Form possibly think this is OK?

webwiz · 11/01/2013 17:07

DS is in year 11 and has applied to stay at his school sixth form - they used to have blocks to choose from (this was when DD1(21) was there) but then when DD2 applied they let everyone choose what they wanted to take and then fitted the timetable around that. It must be a nightmare to organise but it means students don't have to compromise their choices.

I would be very disappointed if DS's school sprung something like this at this stage because he doesn't want to go anywhere else. Its quite common to take all the sciences and maths, I think potential medics would be struggling with those clashes.

wordfactory · 11/01/2013 17:08

OP that is terrible.

A levels should be pretty much accommodtaed in any combination.

Original poster
EllieArroway · 11/01/2013 17:11

"Philosophy a-level is v hard. So I wuldn't go for that unless you loved it"

True - and he really doesn't want to so it would be a waste of two years. And no, it's not private.

I think college might be the best option if school won't budge but I shall be having words because you're all absolutely correct .... anyone who wants to be a dentist, doctor, vet etc is buggered. Hardly supportive of the future careers of their students, is it?

OP posts:
Original poster
EllieArroway · 11/01/2013 17:15

Oh, brilliant Nickel. I'm going to print that out right now. Thanks :)

OP posts:
BackforGood · 11/01/2013 17:20

That really is bizarre.
What I can't understand is how the Heads of Dept didn't take it to the HT when the computer first churned out this rubbish. It's not like that is a wierd combination to do, and clearly it's breaking up 'common' combinations across the board, not just science.
I'd contact the Head (?) / Head of 6th Form (?) and make it clear that if the school is going to insist on standing by such ridiculous timetabling, then they are going to have a very small 6th form next year, as not only will pupils who wanted to stay be forced out, but I can't see many new pupils being attracted in either.

Diamondsareagirls · 11/01/2013 17:22

OP, I work in a school and by the sound of it they don't have enough teachers to offer it on multiple blocks which is why you have ended up with this ridiculous situation. I can't think of any other reason why they would offer such an odd and limited combination of sixth form options. Is it quite a small school?

littleladyindoors · 11/01/2013 17:31

My school did exactly the same thing, put all the humanities together in one column and therefore I couldnt do what I wanted. I moved schools and got all of them there. I had one friend move with me, but other than that we were the only ones. Best decision I made actually, since I ended up in a history related job that I love.

Original poster
EllieArroway · 11/01/2013 17:33

No, Diamonds it's quite big - BUT (and I really don't want to be rude to the other pupils) it's not particularly high achieving academically. It was in special measures not that long ago.

There's two tiers of six form courses - a group with vocational stuff and another group with the academic stuff. Very few are opting for the academic subjects apparently and it's not impossible that my DS is the only one who wants to do all four sciences. His science teachers have been massively supportive of him because he's very scientifically minded and very, very keen to boot. His physics teacher said to me "It makes a nice change"!

OP posts:
BoneyBackJefferson · 11/01/2013 17:33

EllieArroway
"Apparently, they used some computer programme to generate the options based on what people had said they'd like to do."

Yeah, Fuck Democracy, all the other kids should be made to do the options that your child wants to do.

MadamFolly · 11/01/2013 17:37

Just go to college, its a good experience to go somewhere with a bit more freedom as well before uni, to learn some independence.

Diamondsareagirls · 11/01/2013 17:41

Definitely look at options somewhere else then. If they are not prepared to teach this combination of subjects there is nothing to be gained by forcing them down that route if it is not established and prepared to meet his needs. I hope you both find something suitable and he continues to do well.

Original poster
EllieArroway · 11/01/2013 17:44

"Yeah, Fuck Democracy, all the other kids should be made to do the options that your child wants to do"

There's always one. And it's you. Have some Thanks and then leave the grown ups to talk Wink

OP posts:
BoneyBackJefferson · 11/01/2013 17:55

EllieArroway

The truth a bit hard to handle?

Your son is not the only child in the school, all the pupils where asked and this was the outcome.

Are you expecting everthing to be run around your child?

webwiz · 11/01/2013 18:02

Yes but boney these are really really common combinations - its not unusual to do chemistry and maths, its not unusual to do english and history. By not offering such ordinary combinations that I would expect every single sixth form to be able to cover they are seriously harming pupils ability to apply to decent universities.

webwiz · 11/01/2013 18:04

If the pupils didn't come up with these sort of common combinations then they need a bit more guidance with their A level choices.

Original poster
EllieArroway · 11/01/2013 18:04

Hold on....I'm trying...really, really trying....to give a shit about your opinion.

Alas, I don't.

Oh well. You tried. Have a lovely day now xxxxxxxxxxx

OP posts:
ShipwreckedAndComatose · 11/01/2013 18:06

Boney, you are talking tripe.

Anyone can see that this is insane!!

LifeSavedbyLego · 11/01/2013 18:09

Maths physics and chemistry is the standard(and expected) a levels for pretty much any scientific degree (including Math). Any school that cannot offer this set of a levels is beyond shocking.

Hope you get this sorted for your son.

BoneyBackJefferson · 11/01/2013 18:10

webwiz

until last year we had one subject that was always very popular. (We often had to turn pupils away as we didn't have enough staff to teach it) but last year only 5 pupils wanted to take it, so the "computer said no". This year it looks like it is back with a vengence.

There are always odd ball years, with odd subject selections, and wierd clashes but whether we like it or not the school needs the pupils for the cash.

The A level curriculum cannot be run around a minority of pupils.

and as the op says her ds has options.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 11/01/2013 18:13

That's really bad!

If he might be the only one would the staff consider doing some of his lessons at lunch or after school?

If not I really think he should go elsewhere.

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 11/01/2013 18:14

. These A level combinations can only be minority combinations if

A) the student number is so small that the are very few students selecting their choices, throwing up oddities

B) the school have been very poor in providing A level option choices to the students.

I would enrole your Ds at the local sixth form. And I am saying this as an A level teacher in a school with sixth form.

Computers should be used along side human common sense, not as the be all.

BoneyBackJefferson · 11/01/2013 18:15

ShipwreckedAndComatose

This is what happens when you allow offer a wide curriculum. The important stuff gets missed out.

Its not that the school can't offer the subjects, it that they won't as it will effect the schools income.

Do you really think that a school will turn down thousands of pounds?

EllieArroway

Back at cha :) xxx