To encourage daughter to change college course?

[AdamSpoon]

Hi,

My daughter has just started a level 3 extended diploma in applied science.

She finished school with a 9 in maths. She would liked to have done Maths, Further Maths, Biology and Chemistry for sixth form, but she got 5s in her 3 Sciences and they said she can't do Sciences at sixth form but she could add a different language but as science was her main interest she decided against it. Her maths teacher was extremely gutted, spoke to her and me after results day basically persuading her. DD has always been very good at maths, did some regional competition type things in years 7-9.

They have started a maths module on her main course and her teacher spoke to her about her level and has also been encouraging her to take up maths.

I don't know what to do. She's so talented at it that it would be a huge shame to let it go. She's average at science and the fact she won't have even a levels in them makes it even harder for further success in them.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Regards.

Was supposed to say subject not language

My thoughts as a parent of a student who really developed academically in 6th form.
Do her science grades at GCSEs reflect her real ability or could she have done better having had better teaching or by working harder? Schools seem very focussed on results and will be worrying that she won't achieve at A level? I understand A level courses are a real jump.
Are there uni courses or apprenticeships she would like to go on to do which would accept her BTec qualification?
Is there another college that would offer her the chance to try the courses she really wants to do? She has 3 years funding at sixth form so could revert back to Btec if it didn't work?
Good luck, I would encourage her to give it a go if you both think she could manage it. Her maths results are stellar.

You can normally do a single A Level along side a BTEC.

What does she want to do at uni?

She wants to do biology at university. She doesn't seem fussed about continuing her maths but she is very talented and everyone thinks it's a real shame to let it go.

Will she get on to a biology course with BTEC?

Check entry requirements for a Biology based degree course. I think extended level 3 would be fine for most, at good grades. Maths A level is a jump from gcse and may not be ideal to run alongside.

Dd got a 9 in a language.. she isn't continuing
Leave your dd to decide...
Your dd needs to follow her interest not that of her teachers or parents. Not always the best highest grade subject but the one she loves.

Where I am some of the colleges offer one A level alongside a Btec. Is anything like that offered locally? If she can do it it may help her with her uni application as many science degrees want to see maths or physics studied at A level (when students are doing A levels) so it may give her an advantage

The colleges by us require at least a 6 in order that a student can take a science at A level. I presume it is very similar where you are and that is why she has been turned down. Although we were told unofficially that students who didn't get an 8 or a 9 would struggle with the transition to a level. As your daughter has an obvious ability in Maths, I would encourage her to take the a level to enhance her chances of getting a good uni place. It may well be that she decides to go down the maths route in the future.

I would encourage her if it's an option to study Maths alongside her Betc. The further up in science you get the more important having good strong math skills are. If she really wants to carry on with science it will only help her. It will also give her another option if she needs it.

I did the Betc route to a Physics degree, only thing I wish I'd done differently was extra maths at college. It would have given me a head start.

Can she do Alevel maths alongside the BTEC? That's what my DS did - although everyone in his course did, so it was timetabled. I guess that's the issue as to whether it not it's possible.

Yes she can get on a science degree with it, but only certain universities accept it I believe. Also it was mainly the point that she will be leaving behind her maths.

Can't do a levels alongside as the colllege she is at doesn't do a levels at all.