DS wants to do sixth form "for the experience" and doesn't even need a levels.

[PrinceCharming80]

DS wants to end up in the police. He's a smart lad. There's a public services course at the local college that I thinks for things like the police but he says it does focus a lot on the army and that he just really doesn't want to do it he wants to go to a local sixth form joined to a school, he is smart but didn't receive any As in GCSEs (I'm not fussed, I'm very proud of his grades) and wants to do a levels, for the heck of it (his words) he says he wants to meet new friends and just learn a bit more before he actually goes down that whole chosen careers route as he would just like to build his confidence up and learn more about life. I'm just worried that he is going to find them too tough but then get a bit too attached to this experience and then spend 3 years getting a levels he doesn't need IYSWIM? When maybe he could be doing public services or something a bit more related to his chosen career.

I'm just not sure how I feel about this. I saw 2 threads on here recently about a levels and I thought they were helpful but none were exactly to my son's experience, so wanted to see what people's thoughts were! Thank you

I'm really depressed by this thread 😢, can places of education rally wrote off B/C grade GCSE students from doing A' levels?

What is wrong with C/D grade at a level? circumstances of children throughout the course can change which can lead to unexpected results.

It's bonkers, and there is uproar about grammar being selective! it's just so depressing 😔
Anyway OP - as an employer, I would be more inclined to go with someone who has stuck to their guns in education and taken a levels, even with a poorer result, as it shows an attitude that is admirable/ and a driving force which is what I would want from someone in my employ. Whether the is the case or not for police is something I don't know but you DS is 15/16? by the time he can properly join 3-4 years minimum things may well have changed and their entry requirements may well have. he's the one that wants to do this, surely it's worth a try for him? let him do it, a btec in public services from what has been said does NOT sound as if it's worth giving up the opportunity to complete a levels.
good luck to him, he sounds very sensible and switched on and if it is his. choice he will probably put the work in and may surprise you!

When parents stop judging schools by their pass rates, then schools will be able to accept people with Cs and DS doing A levels!
The current situation has been created by so called parental choice. Schools are vilified if the pass rates go down, yet you're wanting them to accept weak candidates? It can't be both.
I don't think a child getting Ds at GCSE is right to study A level. They aren't academic enough. They are lots of other courses that would suit them better.
If they got Ds because they're a lazy arse that has done nothing for two years, why should they take a sixth form place from someone of slightly lower ability that studied effectively and worked hard for two years to get Bs and Cs?
This will happen more and more over the next five to ten years as the school population is increasing. They are only so many places in sixth forms.

idefix - If you can't do A Levels (and I mean really can't do it) there are some good BTEC courses out there such as Engineering but I highly recommend apprenticeships. Both of these narrow down your choices though compared to A Levels. It all depends on what your DC is interested in. It's particularly the Public Service bit here that is the issue.

For those who are worried about poor AS results. As a teacher it is not uncommon to see Ds-Us in AS but the students to come out with Bs-Cs in the A2s. A lot of them just struggle with that first step and improve at A2 with resits. I never stop a student continuing the A2 even if they have got a U at AS. A few years ago a student who got a U at AS came out with a high C at A2.

gonzo155 my DS has just got A levels and amongst his friends (who were mainly top set at GCSE at an outstanding comp) it was the other way round - good AS results but lower A2 results, with the AS results pulling up overall grades.

One girl got a U in a A2 Maths exam (C overall) despite an A at AS and an A* GCSE in year 10. But maybe doing well at AS had the opposite effect for this group, maybe those that need to resit AS pull their socks up and start to work? My DS had to resit one AS as he got a U, due to being in hospital immediately before that exam. He got an A in resit and A overall, but maybe he put a bit more into that subject (though he is a hard worker anyway)

As a teacher it is not uncommon to see Ds-Us in AS but the students to come out with Bs-Cs in the A2s

I'm guessing you don't teach maths? That would also involve a heavy amount of resits, which isn't ideal.

Why do you need A's to do do A levels!? Perhaps at A level he will excel in his chosen 3 subjects instead of having to split all his energy across 12 like in GSCE. Let him do them. There is no rush to go into a chosen field just yet.

kath - Maybe different type of cohort. Ours are mainly middle ability kids at a good comp so tend to need more time to adjust to the A Level system. Our 6F intake generally includes more B-D students than A-A students so will perform differently to a cohort with lots of A/A students.

noble - not math, essay based which I think needs more getting used to for some.

As for resits - yes it is two more exams to sit but students are well supported and only take 4 AS/3 A2 rather than some schools doing 5AS/4 A2. It's their choice to resit and they are guided as to which resits will be beneficial.

I don't know if I'm right about this at all, but it was my impression that a lot of people now join the police a bit later, after doing further education, even up to degree level. IMO this gives you a bit more flexibility if the police career doesn't work out (you don't get in, or you don't like it).

I agree your son sounds very mature. When I worked for social services we had kids going on the uniformed services course and to be frank i wasn't impressed. It was run by ex army types (so that was the focus) they were great and it worked well for kids who needed structure in their lives and their self esteem boosting, but in terms of actual preparation for a career, it didn't seem much cop at all and was armed forces focused.

They spent most of their time doing outdoor adventure stuff with a bit of tacked on stuff about the role of the uniformed services and the role of government.

I think his plan to do A-levels is sensible. If he doesn't get into the Police (say, on medical grounds) he has options. If he does ths Uniformed services course and doesn't get in. he'd be left with a Mickey Mouse qualification that doesn't equip him to do anything else.

My eldest son did the Public Services BTEC at college. He really enjoyed it. He was thinking about joining the police ,at the time, but instead has gone to university to do a History degree!

Just a thought but I found a levels significantly easier than gcse o levels - I found it hard to study the breadth of different subjects , many of which left me cold .not great results - scraped by .
A levels were stimulating subjects which I loved and this translated into good grades and a joy of learning .

I both did the BTEC in Public Services and taught it. It is good (as are all BTECs) for those that struggle with exams as it is mostly coursework. However, depending on what Units are taught does generally concentrate on the military. The best part of the Uniformed Services course is the extra visits from those in the different services and visits to Fire Stations, army bases etc, different people coming in and talking about their careers so you know which avenue you would like to go into. However, if he speaks to the tutor at the beginning if the year and explains that he is doing A levels but is interested in joining the Police he may still be able to go on the trips, attend talks if they are not full we often offered the opportunity up to the whe College if there were seats on the minibus.

Externally to benefit from the sports and teamwork element he would miss on the public Services course it would be beneficial to attend some form of cadet Force (preferably Police) or Scout or St Johns Ambulance group, do some voluntary work and take part in the DofE Award. It is important that he keeps his fitness up and joining a local or college gym and undertakes 5k runs and weights so he'll be in a good position for the fitness tests.

He would do well to do A levels not all are equal in difficulty maths and sciences you really need As or Bs at GCSEs but something like law, Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, IT would be perfect for someone who is interested in the police.

The police recruit rarely and when they do the application form is massive it is filled with questions that you need to give examples of when you have dealt with certain situations. They very rarely recruit young people, preferring those with life experience so it's important to get out and about working, volunteering as much as he can, dealing with the general public in different situations.

Jam that sounds reassuring, I was surprised by how many students at ds new college have gone on to uni with btecsdid wonder about this, we were told by ds old school that this was impossible.

Sadly gonzo he didn't have a choice about leaving the school were very clear that they did not want him and his exam results. I do get that current system is fed by drive. For results, poll position and parents/pupils expectations but it seems our current post 16 options are not really meeting the needs of children and employers.

Ds is doing the public service btec and is currently considering to look to work in the civil service (they do some apprenticeships for non degree applicants). He like that the course covers a range of things that he is interested.

It has been a relief to see him optimistic and excited after the last few months of stress.

Just to add, roughly about 1/3 of our students went in to the Public Services, another 1/3 onto Uni, many studying Policing and Paramedical Science course, some studying Law and politics. And the rest either found that they weren't eligible for uniformed services due to medical reasons or followed other paths, many into the outdoors industry as activity instructors and of course those who probably wouldn't have gone on to much regardless of what courses they had done have stayed local doing entry level jobs.

I know of someone who always wanted to be in the police. He went on to do higher level psychology and focused on his future career in the force. Then his lecturer said she'd seen something in him that stood out and would he ever be a counsellor for suicide prevention. He now works with young troubled people and wouldn't change it. So doors open and he may change the course of his life who knows. Anyway just let him persue what he wants to do now.

A levels are a completely different style of learning from GCSE. I got B's at GCSE, A's at A-Level and then a first class degree. The police, if that's what he chooses to do, will require further study if he wishes to progress. Further study will require A-Levels for any decent course.

I'd be JUMPING with JOY at A-Levels over college.

A Levels and volunteering. When can he do specials?
The Prison Service doesn't even need GCSEs but seems to offer good but woefully short training. I've been very impressed with all the POs I've met, encourage him to investigate further.

OP no specific advice for your situation but I started A levels with every intention of being a vet. That had been my career plan for years. Needless to say half way through A levels I decided Veterinary wasn't for me and did something else. I think two years of A levels would give him an opportunity to keep all his options open. I would think his grades are fine for A levels as long as he knows its hard work and he needs to make something of the two years as two wasted years is the worst possible outcome.

I would also think that A levels / degree would be useful for those who move up the ranks in policing.

When parents stop judging schools by their pass rates, then schools will be able to accept people with Cs and DS doing A levels!

Indeed!

BTW like a PP said I also found A levels easier than GCSE, I found it easier to concentrate on 4 AS subjects and 3 A2 subjects that I enjoyed than 10 GCSE subjects.

I think your son is extremely sensible; he has a clear idea of what he would like to do as a career, but is open to broadening his experience and education; A levels are the most valuable exams he can take, as a pathway to future training. He is far more sensible than many graduates who leave university with not the slightest idea about a future career.