To not support DD with her choice of continuing her A-Level?

[AshleighLake]

This might be a little long and confusing!

My daughter is 18. She was doing A-Levels with her Sixth Form (Maths, Psychology and PE (I think PE was called something else)). She failed the AS Maths, but because her teacher said that she was capable and DD really wanted to do it, she could resit the whole AS year, so go into year 12, instead of just resitting the Maths with the other subjects (only let you if you get a D). She recently injured herself really badly this year (think pins in leg and lots of physio) so she had to drop out of the PE (or whatever it was called) and as it was quite near the end of the year, they said she can sit the Maths AS exam, but she will have to leave after that as there isn't time to pick up something else in replace of the PE and the psychology is a 2 year long course so there wasn't any exams for that.

She got her results on Thursday and got an E for the Maths, she seems overjoyed I mean, I'm proud because she did really badly fail it last year and her teacher says based on the equivalent marks given, she was close to a D. Personally, I don't think that's great. I am happy about how much she has improved, but still not enough to think she should continue it.

I think she should do a level 3 extended diploma in something. DD looked into it and said none of the subjects are what she wants to do, so has looked into the access courses, she spoke to one of the colleges who offer a Psychology & Sociology access course and they said that she should apply for September "but will be fine to do it". She has to be 19 though, so it's for next year. So there is a year of nothing, I personally still think she is better to do the diploma but she says there isn't the subjects available (is that true?) and she would really like to continue the Maths... She does love and says she doesn't care if she gets an E overall, but would like to do it. Her grandmother (who does have a lot of money but we just don't get on) has offered to cover a tutor for the year... she says she will retake the AS and do the A2 modules "as just a bit of fun". I'm really not keen at all.

She does work in a supermarket and volunteers as a buddy at the hospital, but I feel like she could do something a bit more worth while?

AIBU to think this? Please be honest.

YABVU.

Hopefully if you've actually told her that studying something she enjoys is pointless she's had the good sense to ignore you.

I'm quite surprised by the responses on this thread though.

You should be very proud of your DD for having passed her exams despite her injury and the setbacks and changes it has caused.
She's made a good decision to do an access course. They are full-time and most people pass because of the way the course is structured. Then she'll have what she needs to go to University.
You keep stressing that she'll be 19 as if it's old! She has maybe 40 or more working years ahead of her so you should be encouraging her to get the qualifications she needs to get a job she will enjoy.

@PurpleDaisies - Open University! Am now doing a msc with a red brick uni.

Hi, the problem your daughter will have is funding. I'm a teacher in a college and we come across this very situation with lots of students every year. At 19 the funding runs out for college courses, unlike say 10'years ago when you could come to college for free and have as many attempts as you needed.
For the level 3 extended diploma, most colleges split it into two, one year courses, studying one 90 credit course in the first year and then topping up to the full diploma in the second. If your daughter starts it this year, she will not be a,lowed to continue onto her second year unless you pay or she takes out a 19+ learning loan.
In this situation, an access course is only advisable if she absolutely intends to attend uni. Otherwise it is completely pointless and she should look into apprenticeships. Access courses are hard by the way, and you need lots of merits/distinctions in lots of units to get enough credit to go to uni.
If I were you I'd take your daughter to the nearest college this week or whenever they start enrolling and get some good advice and guidance.
Good luck 😊

@Kirsty157 - you're a teacher? you do realise funding is up to 24 if you don't already have a full level 3 qualification?

www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/overview

I thought the date for funding was enrolment date of course not completion. Level 3 is only funded up to 19, beyond that you need an Advanced Learning Loan unless it is fully funded by the government/SFA. Level 2 English and Maths are fully funded to those who have not previously achieved GCSE or equivalent.

I don't understand why she has picked maths at all? She does not sound like she has a great aptitude for it and how does that sit with her other two subjects - sport and psychology?

Maths A-level is hard - did she do well at gcse?

I would throw in the towel to be honest. It's great to take a qualification in something you enjoy but it's also about setting you up for working life or further education. Why isn't she taking something she excels in?

@Kirsty157 - it says at the bottom.

@user1499333856 - have you done A-Level maths? There is such a jump from GCSEs, most sixth forms don't allow you to do it unless you have got an A at GCSE, so I'm sure she did do well.

&Turqoise she will need to be claiming benefits to receive funding at 19, so my point was she could start a BTEC this year but wouldn't have her second year funded.
As she would already be half way through, she would be unable to claim JSA and would have to take out the loan
Seriously, this is a huge issue in the FE sector, which is completely on its arse as a result of cut after cut

@Kirsty157 - I don't know why I've had a different experience then.........

@Kirsty157 - that's if your over 24.

There is such a jump from GCSEs, most sixth forms don't allow you to do it unless you have got an A at GCSE, so I'm sure she did do well.

There is also quite a jump from A-level to degree too.

@Nanny0gg - yes? I know? Someone said was she not very good at maths or whatever they said... I was answering with that. The girl doesn't want to do maths at uni anyway?

It seems to be increasingly common for teens to do 3 years at college. It might be worth looking at whether the college offer any 1 year fast-track BTECs (equivalent to an A level) as they do at DD's college.