To think he shouldn't do A-Levels

[newphoneswhodis]

My niece got five 4s and five 3s in her GCSEs. My sister is now insistent that she stay at the school and do A-Levels. I just think she would be much better doing something at college. Shes decided on travel and tourism, art and still deciding a third. She's not very academic and I just think she won't succeed at A-Levels. How will this help her future? Aibu to think that someone with these grades shouldn't be doing A-Levels?

Travel and tourism is a BTEC. Art is likely to be A Level as I don't think you can do two level 3 BTECs.

It sounds like you think colleges are for less academic students? Many students aged 16-18 choose to study A-levels at college. Many adults who return to education also study A-levels at college. Studying A-levels at college is no different from studying A-levels at school. Students also study BTEC at college which is equivalent to A-levels.

I’d say your niece would probably benefit from a more teacher led approach which has less reliance on exams, so a BTEC might be a better route for her. But a BTEC is equivalent to A-levels in terms of UCAS points for university.

I think she should certainly have a go if she wants too. I got a C at gcse English literature and vividly remember being told I would struggle on the A Level course. I got a B and went on to a good degree. If she happens to find the A level course inspiring, she might be fine.

At DD's school you need a 6 at GCSE to do an A level in the subject.

If BTECs are anything like when I did mine in 1989/1990 and she passes well, depending on the course, entry to university isn't an issue.

I did a Computer Science OND and got straight into University to do Computer Science. No A Levels required, I just couldn't face staying at school.

@EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire

Travel and tourism is a BTEC. Art is likely to be A Level as I don't think you can do two level 3 BTECs.

You can depending on the size of the Btec.

The Btec certificate is equivalent to 1 A level and you can either do 3 different ones or take one/two alongside A levels.

The Btec diploma is equivalent to 2 A levels. Ds’s old school offered a Btec course where you studied 2 different diplomas.

The Btec Extended Diploma is equivalent to 3 A levels and is generally classed as a full time course on its own.

I don’t think you are in full possession of the facts, OP, or you’re altering them as you go along (3s & 4s turning into 5s, for example). I don’t think you should concern yourself in this matter and I don’t think you should have started this thread.

At my son’s school you have to get 8 5s to stay on at sixth form to do A Levels.

Why Hedda?

travel and tourism is an A level?

@EveryDayIsADuvetDay it certainly used to be, I haven’t taught it for a very long time, so it may have been withdrawn now. It was a lot more academic than BTEC from what I remember, although obviously not as much as English or Maths or sciences. Often offered by schools as an “easy” option for year 13s who’d failed an AS and needed the UCAS points for uni.

The sixth form will advise what she should be doing. T and T is a BTEC, they may suggest she just does that and Art A level. As it's the school she already attends they will have a pretty good idea of her ability to cope with the course or not.

Doesn't sound to me like staying on for A levels would normally be the best option for her, but in these abnormal times there's probably little choice.

It's great that you ate thinking a bit more outside the box @newphoneswhodis, there's no point in DN doing A levels just to follow the same family pattern. There are various different BTEC levels - everything from the equivalent to a GCSE and up to 3 A Level Equiv (Level 3 National Extended Diploma) so if you are going to suggest alternative routes it would be good for you to fully understand what's on offer. The learning style of a BTEC may well suit her better - she will earn the grades as she goes which will help to motivate her to do well. If she's an interest driven learner a BTEC in something she's interested in will also help. Despite my DS having a complete calamity this summer with a BTEC I am a huge fan of them, particularly in less academically driven students. They can cone out with grades way above that which they would have got if they had taken A Levels.

One thing to keep in mind is that school/college is free for an additional year after 18 so if she starts A levels this year and struggles, guide her towards cutting her loses and starting again next year with a more suitable qualification.

they are terrible grades

They are pass grades, not terrible grades. And some people have to work very hard to get those grades and is a massive achievement for them. Why put people down? Horrid attitude. Not everyone was meant to be a bloody rocket scientist.

I agree she may struggle but Some 6th forms do take people with lower grades and do have some success. Depends what she wants next, I guess.

You’re probably right, but I doubt your sister will listen to you, it is her child.

I’ve just been doing Sixth Form enrolment - at my college she’d probably be ok to do Art A-level (with consultation with the Head of Art to be made aware about workload etc) along with a double applied course such as the T+T. Her grades aren’t enough for a 3 A-level course at my place unless you had a very very good reason for wanting to do them (we enrol flexibly so there is wiggle room).

In my experience, as you are an Aunt and not a parent, you should keep your beak out as it wont end well. My in laws baulked at the fact my child wanted to go to Uni, exclaiming "why" at the sheer mention of it, when they knew nothing of her academic achievements. They hadnt even asked what her grades were at gcse level.

I agree that A level art is very difficult. I got an A at GCSE and found the A level hard going. It is also a huge amount of work - significantly more than the other 2 subjects I did - it took hours and hours to complete pieces. I used every free period for art and often stated after school too. Art is not a soft subject.

They aren’t terrible grades, but she’s 16 with two very formative years ahead, and to put herself through something that doesn’t suit her abilities could really damage her confidence. A level programmes are really tough and their entry requirements exist for a reason.

Have the school/college accepted her? Most reputable colleges won't take them without at least 5s or 6s in the subjects they want to study. 3s are a fail and 4s are barely a pass, so if they're not doing well at GCSE it doesn't bode well for the A level.

I think look at all the options. My parents pushed me to do a levels but half way through I dropped out and did yts. Best decision I made. Later went back and now have masters and goo d career. Some of us are late bloomers.

@Sayitagainwhydontyou

are you her guardian? Her teacher? A professional careers counsellor who's guidance they've specifically sought on this matter?

No? Then keep your nose out of it, and save your judgement for your own children.

This a very dangerous view to have. Just because you are not a parent or guardian does not mean that you don't care. But more importantly it's crucial that parents get views from others. Too many parents think their kids are gods gift and brilliant at everything and can achieve anything, and sometimes they need to hear something different from someone else. Too many kids fail because their parents see them through rose tinted glasses. Some kids aren't cut out for further education and it's important that's realised sooner rather than later

For pps who don't understand the new numbering system, 3s are a fail. So she has only passed half her GCSEs, and only scraped through on them (4s and 5s). Pupils I've taught with 5s often drop out because A levels are just too academically difficult - they have lost a year, have to face resitting and it's not good for them at all. I would never accept a pupil with only a 4 onto an A level course because it isn't fair. This culture we have of believing everyone should do A levels is ridiculous, there are plenty of great vocational courses out there.
It's also worth thinking that this year's GCSEs are substantially inflated on previous years so who knows if she would even have got that many passes in another year. Some kids aren't academic and that is fine. But people around her need to be up front about how much she will struggle at A level.