Alternatives to Spanish, History and English A levels

[TeenAndTween]

My DD is in y10 and we are thinking about 6th forms.

She is interested in doing Spanish, History and English (Lit or Lang/Lit) A levels (not sure on choice 4).

But we are a bit ambivalent as to whether she is academically up to it. She has to work very hard at school to get B grades. A Levels may be a step too far, we're not sure.
She has no idea of what career she wants to do.

So if she didn't do A levels, what would anyone recommend instead?

BTEC Performing Arts is a fabulous course at Level 3. Accessibke and much more practical than A Level Theatre Studies or A Level Drama. At my school, DC can take it as a double or single option in combination with other BTECs or A Levels.

Evil What use is a BTEC in Performing Arts? (Genuine question)

DD likes her drama, but doesn't seem to be doing all that well in GCSE drama compared with her other subjects. I can't see her making a career out of it, though I can see her continuing with Am Dram.
(She is also only average at singing and pretty rubbish at dance).

If she loves history I'd say go for that - easier to do better in a subject you love than one you don't. How about Business studies? Some essays but more black and white?

BTEC PA is as much use as anything else. Does she want to be an historian? What use is history then?

Performing Arts at L3 covers an awful lot. Over the last few years, a lot of my students have gone to university - a few to continue with drama, but others have done English , Events Management, Nursing. It's another A Level.

Evil She doesn't know what she wants to do later in life.

I guess I am old fashioned / out-of-date / academic snob, but I think that History might help develop more generic transferrable skills (and be a 'real' A level as opposed to a BTEC).

Though if there were BTECs in History and Spanish I'd be all for it, so I do think it is the actual subjects of the BTECs I'm finding it hard to come to terms with rather than the concept (for DD1 at least).

Titchy We discounted Business Studies GCSE due to maths content (especially as she finds graph interpreting surprisingly hard) but yes I think that is worth another consideration.

All A continued thank you for all your contributions, I am finding this really helpful.

Ah, I don't know about Lit+Lang as I've never taught it-you may well be right on that.

English lit (not lang), Spanish and History are the A levels leaving most options open - three of the so called facilitating subjects. Couple them with an AS in ancient history and she will have the combination type many of the best schools recommend in private and public sector schools.

Try to ensure at least 2 facilitating subjects.

Have a look at russellgroup.org/InformedChoices-latest.pdf

Will the college let her stick to three subjects at AS?

Classical Civilisation (I teach it) is definitely easier than History. The college will say it isn't because the department will want parity of esteem with the other academic subjects, but it definitely requires less in-depth analysis. That said, it certainly isn't a doss, and the potential is there for bright students to offer more in-depth analysis than is necessarily required but the course: but I think a C in Class. Civ. is much more achievable than a C in English or History.

I did English Lit, History & Classical Civilisation for A Level a looong time ago. I would agree that Class Civ was less arduous academically but I did have to remember a hell of a lot of stuff AND the exams were both 4 essays in 3 hours. I would imagine it's different now, but those exams were very hard work. I still have a calous on my middle finger from them, and I sat them in 1993!

Jane the OPs daughter isn't likely to get A or A* needed for RG so she doesn't need 2 facilitating subjects!

She's only year ten. She may well get a high grade yet.

Jane ( and titchy and slipshod ) . At the moment I would be very surprised if DD ended up at an RG university doing an academic subject. All things are possible or course, but I think I am more concerned she does A levels she enjoys and can cope with than facilitating subjects.

Alma and Evil Interesting to hear you say that Classical Civilisation is academically easier. This is what I was thinking, until the last SFC said not. But I see what you are saying about wanting parity of esteem.

Alma I'm not expecting her to be allowed to start on just 3 courses. I am however about to request a dyspraxia assessment for her, and if that comes through with the expected result, I might at that point have more ammunition to request it. (Or to start with 4 but drop one quite quickly)

The private schools push weaker pupils into classical civ as it is easier. It was one of my daughter's 4, probably her easiest A level, although I ma not saying it's dead easy and it looks much better on CVs for certain kinds of jobs than BTECs etc. I think you should work back from proposed careers. My sons just did a careers thing at school (Morrisby tests) which was very helpful over things like what could you reasonably be expected to do, are bright enough for, what A levels you need for ABC etc

You also have to look at the exact options the college/school plans for Classical Civilisation at A level. Some are literature analysis, others more historical and archeology based.

I actually think CC reputation as easy is wrong and outdated, and intellectually many find it challenging to get good grades compared with English Lit. Obv depends on the student and the teaching.

It isn't that it is easy exactly . it is well regarded and interesting. But it is easier than Literature or History. This is because there is less analysis, which is a high level skill. Currently, in the syllabus I am familiar with, there is no coursework either, which makes it feel less pressured.

Jane, TheWave Slip Thank you all for your views, it is very helpful. We will definitely look at options for all courses carefully.

Jane No idea about careers at all really. Which is why I want her do to courses she finds interesting. (She's definitely not going to do anything that requires mental maths or dexterity though!).