to think apprenticeships shouldn't require 3 A Levels at A*/B?

[Freddorika]

Looking at alternatives to university for dd1. She's interested in Law and Business. I've just had two apprenticeships sent through to me by her school. The paralegal apprenticeship requires 3 A Levels at A*/B and the Business apprenticeship requires 128 UCAS points so approx ABB.

If she was predicted to get A*, A B she would be going to university!!

[KarenHL]

Has your DD considered Sports Science if she does do a degree?

Coaching could be a step forward. At one of my DD's sports activities a 17 yo has just qualified as a coach. She is really good at it, but in this kind of sport it isn't paid (labour of love :-)).

If she became a coach in something played in after-school clubs, she could start getting paid posts. There are always adverts where I live for paid sports coaches, after-school, and holidays. Even if your DD went to Uni she could continue coaching (and working up the levels).

[ClashCityRocker]

Like you say, you've got a year to go yet.

It sounds to me like your daughter doesn't have a firm idea of which direction she wants to go in - which is probably true of the majority of kids her age!

She has time on her side OP. I would suggest she concentrates on getting the best A level grades she can and then re-evaluate. What are the predicted grades based on? I know many who have under-performed at AS level and then got back on track for A2 - lot find the jump from GCSE to A level tough at first but improve quite dramatically in the second year.

I realise part of the problem is uni applications being done on predicted grades, and BCC will limit where she is looking to apply to, but if she exceeds these grades, she has the option of adjustment or taking a gap year and reapplying with grades in hand. Or pursuing an apprenticeship, possibly after having gained some work experience relative to the field.

[BanjoStarz]

If she really is working that hard but not seeing any improvements in her grades then she's working wrong.

She needs to work smart not necessarily hard imo - focus on the marking schemes and what the graders are looking for.

Being able to pass exams is a skill that is not entirely dependant on knowing everything about the subject (although obviously subject knowledge helps!).

Lots of past papers and analysing model answers can help develop skills in spotting what the exams questions are actually looking for in an an answer.

[JessaHanna]

Have a look at the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme - offers five different 'professions' at a level 4.

[Trifleorbust]

Given that an employer who wants to hire an apprentice is going to start paying an 18 year old rather than a 21 year old who has lived alone as an adult, I think it is pretty reasonable to have high expectations for grades. They will want to know they aren't 'settling' for a second-tier candidate and that the person they take on will be hard working, mature and competent. I would want good grades too!

[SteppingOnToes]

Just felt the need to add - an apprenticeship doesn't necessarily mean that there is no degree. Some apprenticeships use the first year to get a higher BTEC as entry to a degree course. For anyone who has kids interested in science - the NHS are now offering this for Biomedical Sciences. An apprenticeship but also includes a degree full paid for. The top end of the basic salary is about 36k once qualified. Places are highly sought after due to the degree being fully funded.

[annandale]

Sports coaching apprenticeship?

Or a business degree at a university that is high level for her sport?

I haven't really googled, not knowing what sport she is involved in, but coaching offers such huge transferable skills.

[DirtyDancing]

Going to university isn't meant to be better than doing an apprenticeship at the higher level. It is just a different route to gaining qualifications.

This