6th Form college choices - should DS choose min 1 facilitating subject - Uni

[slummymummy24]

DS is currently year 10 and doing well in school however he struggles with written work (AuDHD with dyslexic traits). He is bright but a hands on learner and very musical. Discussing 6th form colleges with him and think we have found 3 best subjects which play to his strengths and are very practical - on is an A level, others are Btechs or similar.
His father (we have been divorced for 10 years) feels he should ditch one of these and should take at least one facilitating subject so as not to reduce his ability to get into uni.
I don't think DS is suited for uni (nor does he) and wants to work in an industry where his passions and talent lie.
I really don't see the point in him doing this as I feel it is important that the subjects interest him and where he will achieve. I am concerned he will drop this subject anyway/bunk off lessons etc in college as I did.
I would really appreciate advice here. DS doesn't know I bunked off school and dropped out btw!

Forgetting the fact that he doesn't want to go to university, most courses require UCAS points and not specific subjects. There are lots of different ways to get UCAS points aside from the traditional academic subjects.

He gets to pick what he does at 6th form (literally), it's not your ex's decision despite the fact that he may want it to be.

If he does the subject he loves and then decides that he wants to go to uni later, there are other ways to do it if he didn't do the subjects required. Like you said, he is going to be way more successful if he is enjoying his course.

Parents can advise and offer opinions, but the student really should make the decisions at this stage.

I would suggest you/he actually looks at the local uni offerings for the fields he's interested in - so from you post music /theatre etc. And see what they actually want. There is alot more variation now (provided he gets his maths/English ar gcse) in what they want. Dd is looking at an art based degree and she was told to do Alevel Art, something with an analytical base - so humanities or science or music or food tech or loads of other options and then something she enjoys by the admissions tutor for the course she'd like. So maybe having that as an 'aim' will get his dad off his back?

Ultimately though it's ds choice not his dad's. .. he needs to do something that he will enjoy as he will likely ditch it if not!

thank you, yes they contribute to UCAS points, his favourite one has more points if he gets a distinction than an A level.

Yes, I agree. I'll investigate a bit more so I can give him the information to make the choices.
If he decides after 6th form that he wants to go to Unit and needs a facilitating subject pass, he can aways defer for a year or so whilst working and work online

The point of facilitating subjects (although the term is no longer used) is that they are subjects which may be required for one or more specific degrees. Coincidentally they are also often the more academic subjects.

What subjects does he want to do, what is his career plan, and what specific subject does his dad think he should do?

Thank you I will do this and ensure he has as much information to make the choices.
I really think it is more important that he has two years of 6th form which he enjoys and achieves good grades, which will then open up everything for him!

Agree. Let your DS do his choice of subjects. He will get much better grades if he does. And of course he doesn’t have to go to university if he doesn’t want to