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Original poster

A Level admission help.

14 replies

Uberbeeboo · 24/08/2024 12:02

Hi all, I'm hoping someone can help me please. My son received his grades for GCSE this week and he did well, I'm proud of him.

He wanted to study chemistry and biology A levels at 6th form and the entry requirements were 6,6 in biology and chemistry and 6 in maths.

My son got 7,7 in biology and chemistry but only a 5 in maths unfortunately. He's now chosen other subjects which require a lesser grade but he's miserable as he really just wanted to do biology and chemistry. We didn't apply anywhere else as he wanted to remain in his school.

Our dilemma is not knowing our options. The schools are closed and they're due to go back shortly. Will other 6 forms accept late admissions? Does anyone know if appealing is worth it? I feel he did so well in biology and chemistry as he loves the subjects.

OP posts:
PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 24/08/2024 12:03

If he only got a 5 in maths then, in reality, he probably won’t cope well with the maths elements of those A-levels.

I would not be setting him up to fail, I would be pushing the plan B.

Original poster
Uberbeeboo · 24/08/2024 12:06

Most of the other 6th forms require a 5 unlike the school he was in. We haven't applied elsewhere. Do you know if it's possible that they may accept applications after the deadline date?

OP posts:
usernamedifferent · 24/08/2024 12:07

Has the school actually said no since results day or is he just assuming they will as their published requirements are a 6?

How close to a 6 was he in maths ? If a few marks it may be worth a remark. Was he predicted a 6 or higher?

6th form colleges will accept late admissions and some school sixth forms might. But the reality is with a 5 in maths he may struggle with the maths content in the A-levels

Original poster
Uberbeeboo · 24/08/2024 12:11

Hi, his desired 6th form did say no on results day. He did great in everything but not in maths. Our dilemma now is we stupidly didn't have a plan B. I will call some other 6th forms on Tuesday to see if they have any spaces left. I just didn't want to get his hopes up.

OP posts:
usernamedifferent · 24/08/2024 12:21

If you have a sixth form college near you I’m sure they’d still have spaces. School sixth forms maybe not.

titchy · 24/08/2024 12:28

Why on earth didn't you phone round colleges yesterday? Confused

timetorefresh · 24/08/2024 12:31

Those A levels are very maths heavy. The entry requirements are there for a reason. He needs to look at other options

KevinDeBrioche · 24/08/2024 12:42

Was it a freak result or did he work hard for maths? Some places might let him take an internal test to see if he's up to standard for science A levels. Ultimately though the boundaries are there to prevent future disappointment, so a plan B would be useful.

Original poster
Uberbeeboo · 24/08/2024 13:14

The grade was a surprise to us all and he should have done better. He did fine for his mocks.

OP posts:
JoyousPinkPeer · 24/08/2024 14:03

Uberbeeboo · 24/08/2024 12:06

Most of the other 6th forms require a 5 unlike the school he was in. We haven't applied elsewhere. Do you know if it's possible that they may accept applications after the deadline date?

Telephone them and ask. If he meets the requirements and they have room in the subjects they will allow entry.

Dido2010 · 24/08/2024 16:36

Hi @Uberbeeboo !

A Levels are very different from GCSEs, much harder.

I did science A Levels - the maths in them is challenging compared to Level 5 at GCSE Maths. A good school should protect him and not set him up to struggle and, possibly, fail. So the entry requirement seems sensible.

But I would do two things. Firstly, email his current school, say some flattering things and ask for guidance. Some teachers will be responding to some urgent emails now, probably working a bit from home. Secondly, call and/or email another school and again ask for guidance, also telling them you've heard good things about their Sixth Form.

Good luck to you and to your son!

MrsPuddle · 24/08/2024 22:30

A grade 5 maths is setting him up to fail the chemistry which has a lot of maths in it. The biology also requires statistics. Remember he will be doing his A levels along with many other students who do have better maths, and he might not get a good grade at the end. if he enjoys it fine, but he will need to lower his expectations regarding results. Science A levels are bloody hard, and thats even when they have grade 8s and 9s in the subject at GCSE.

Betyouthinkthissongisaboutyou · 24/08/2024 22:32

What does he want to do at Uni?

Biology still an option as a science A level especially if he enjoys it.

TizerorFizz · 24/08/2024 23:48

@Uberbeeboo Theres a Yearly Warning on the secondary board about not doing maths A level with less than a 7 at GCSE. It’s setting him up to fail with a 5.

Therefore look at other A levels. Biology has less maths than chemistry. What about Geography? Psychology? What did he want to do at uni? I’d try and look at degrees and careers that are not maths heavy.

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