Should a child getting 4s and 5s go on to A levels?

[Zappity]

Or is pointless? Is the step-up to A level so big they will likely fail?

What does their teacher think? Also probably good to think about after school leaving and want they want to do and would the A levels be facilitating what they want to do or not

I got 4s and 5s (well the equivalents) at GCSE and went on to get AAB at A Level and then a 2:1 degree. So it's definitely possible!

School having to have him because they need bums on seats. School is a secondary modern with poor teaching. Child has no clue what they want to do.

There are better options. Visit FE colleges, talk to Connexions, consider apprenticeships.

A levels are not the only options.

BTEC at college may suit them better?

There is a big step from GCSE’s to A level and you are expected to do a lot of work by yourself so they may well struggle

These results wouldn’t be good enough for most school 6th forms because they know success wouldn’t be likely. Bums on seats or not.

If the DC hasn’t worked for these GCSE grades, and has come to life at the thought of A levels, they might be ok. If they’ve had to work hard for 4-5 grades and are not natural at academics, look at BTECs. There must be something that interests him.

“I got 4s and 5s (well the equivalents) at GCSE and went on to get AAB at A Level and then a 2:1 degree. So it's definitely possible!”

How long ago?
DD achieved A* at GCSE in the subjects she wanted to study at A level (she took them in 2016). She found A levels very hard (but did end up with AAA in the end)

Based on this I would say that a child with 4s and 5s at GCSE would struggle and not get good grades. At DD’s school the students needed at least a B (or equivalent) in the subjects they wanted to study at A level. The students who got mostly Cs at GCSE didn’t do very well at A level.

Honestly, no they shouldn't.

At local sixth form colleges, kids need a 6 to go on to A level.

I think there is a difference between a child who has worked hard to get those 4s and 5s, and a child who was capable, but never lifted a finger / never revised, and has found the 4s and 5s a real shock.
Or a child who has put many hours into studying other subjects which they found difficult and spread themselves thinly.
A-levels are a BIG jump, but some dc really blossom as they get older; and / or as they are released from the subjects they hate and can concentrate on the ones they like, etc.

What are 4’s and 5’s in A,B,C,D terms?

At our 6th form evening the head of 6th form was quite clear that students with mainly 4 and 5’s would struggle with A levels. They don’t let anyone do them without a 6 in A level subjects and in some such as maths you have to have an 8

If a student works hard for their 4s and 5s (equiv to a C / CB) then A Level won’t be the huge jump it can be for lazy buggers. Most A Levels require discipline and regular study.

It would depend a lot on why they're getting those grades (not working very hard, subjects hasn't taken their interest, school environment) and whether those factors are likely to change at A-level.

It's a good idea to do something after GCSE but not necessarily A-levels. If they change their mind at a later date they can always come back and do them later.

If they are hard working, more 5ish than 4ish and are picking good subjects they are strong in then A Levels would be a jump but not impossible.

If they're a student who is in every revision class and intervention going to drag them to a 4/5 then A Levels would be an unwise route in my opinion.

A lot of colleges/6th forms around here you need 6/7 to do Alevels. My dd got 7/8/9s and she is finding Alevels a big step up from gcses.
Maybe Btecs might be better?

Seriously kittens. Most of the colleges? That's awful in my opinion.
One college in our area is like that. It always makes me laugh when they parade around their amazing A Level results when they state 6/7 for entry and we aren't far behind them and accept on 4s and 5s. I always wonder how they'd do if we had comparable intakes.

My two needed at least a 6 to go into A level. Some subjects like maths wanted an 8.

The jump up to A level from gcse is massive far greater than I remember from my O levels to A level.

A lot if independent study needed again more so than I remember at school.

Possibly look at BTec and more vocational training.

Sorry I didn't look to see what year your DC is in. At beginning of Yr10 one of mine was predicted 5 at English , he pulled his finger out and got 8 and 9.

There still may be time

The school website says they need 6s but say they will take him with 4s. So few of the GCSE kids are passing I assume they can't uphold their own standards. I can't really see the path forward A levels. I assume he would get very poor results at A level and then what?

The sixth form my dd went to wouldn't allow you to with those grades. She was an A/A* pupil at GCSE and she found A levels tough, they're a huge leap from GCSEs. Even one of her teachers said she'll find uni easier than the slog of A levels.

I would look at Btec at college. Our school were very clear that for 4/5 students Btec was a much better option and would still allow them to get into university. There’s no point in putting him through a levels of he’s going to struggle.

I got mostly A at GCSE but only got ABC (psychology, bio, chem) at A level plus a C and D at AS (maths, Spanish) and an A EPQ

Posted too soon, therefore it depends what he wants to do

I have 2 students with a 4 on my A level maths course. They won’t pass. I spend hours and hours supporting them. They get incredibly stressed as they can’t do the work. It’s unfaor for everyone involved.

But SLT need bums on seats for funding.