to ask what you do if you haven't got into sixth form?

[tisrainingagain]

My friend's son is in this position. His GCSEs didn't go well and he had no inkling of this beforehand. He hasn't got into his school's sixth form and is now visiting schools looking for a place. These schools are full and/or don't want him because of his grades. What should he do next? He apparently feels very down. My friend is thinking he will have to be home tutored.....

Retake or find a job (not easy for a 16yo)

Apprenticeship? Retakes?

Is there an FE college within commutable distance where he could either do retakes or a vocational qualification?

Going to sound ignorant but would he go to his school to help organise the retakes? I didn't go to school in England (and neither did my friend) so not sure how it works.

Just seen your post nan. Yes there is an FE college.

What does he want to do? Does he have any idea?

His old school should help him all they can, but he is unlikely to be their top priority.

Well worth looking, and having an interview if necessary, at the FE college. But do move as quickly as you can, as term may have already started.

I don't know what he wants as have only spoken to his Mum, though up till now he has spoken of wanting to go to university. I think they are still in shock at what has happened. Am going to suggest the retake /FE option which they don't seem to have thought about at all as they are only thinking about getting into a different sixth form.

Yes, it's either re-takes or the local FE college. But as another poster said, he'll need to act quickly.

What does he want to do? If he wants to do A levels and go to uni it sounds as if he may need to retake GCSEs (or some of them) in a year.

See if there is a training scheme which offers this, as well as FE colleges etc.

There are other options such as apprenticeships and BTECs, and other types of vocational training. What are his interests, what job/career does he want to be aiming for?

Dsd is starting a health and social care course at college, she didn't get the grades for a levels.

FE or local sixth form college. He must be in one, there are very few other options.

Term has already started - today here for college, bit surprised he hasn't sorted something out, he's had over a week

if he has no place in education,employment or training he should be able to access careers advice from the LA - an adviser will go through all his options and help him make a choice and find out more

His options are FE - retakes or a level 2 course ( Level 3 at a push if he has 4 C's including English but it depends what he wants to study)

He can also consider an apprenticeship

try www.ucas.com/progress

www.apprenticeships.org.uk/ and

nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx for starters

Thank you very much. Have just spoken to his Mum who says he wants to be a physiotherapist. Not sure why they are trying to do this after term has started. I think it is unchartered territory for them and their school has hardly given them any advice at all.

All the schools round here (barr the Grammars) keep underacheivers on to do at least an easy GNVQ to get them the grades to continue with A levels OR they allow them to do maths/english alongside other A level choices.

Physio needs science subjects so he'll have to make sure he's on top of those

biology access course at fe college possibly but physio is hard. term may start next week, worth looking into.

BTEC L3 would get him in to University to do Physiotherapy. I have had some students do this. My college starts back tomorrow so it may not be too late but act now rather than next week. My colleagues and I dislike late starters as it says that we were second (or third or fourth) choice.

L3 in Health & Social Care

What grade does he have in what subjects?

without additional A level subjects and 5 GCSE's he will struggle to get into Physio with a BTEC to be honest - it's massively competitive

This might be helpful about the entry requirements for physiotherapy.

www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/allied-health-professions/careers-in-the-allied-health-professions/physiotherapist/entry-and-training/

i thought all 16year olds had to be in some form of education,and it was made law

what happens if they dont

i know my two are now year 11 and have to have something sorted

confused

Physio is massively competitive and to be honest, if he's just UNEXPECTEDLY come out with bad results I'd be wary of it as a career choice. In my experience of physio students and new graduates, there is very little that scares me more than the individual who thinks they know what's what and they actually don't.

So he does need to think bloody carefully! Hope he gets something sorted tho.

Vocational qualification BTEC or similar, or Apprenticeship.

Vocational includes but is not limited to stuff like:

Uniformed Public Services
Travel and Tourism
Health and Social care
Construction and Building Services
Business Administration
Sport & Fitness
Hospitality & catering
Animal Care

What level Level3/2/1 depends on how badly the GCSEs went.
Colleges also support retaking English and Maths to get Cs.

L3 in Health & Social Care, my gd is doing this as she did not get the grade she needed.