Is it a waste for academic students not to do A-levels?

[BlueRaspberry7]

DD (16) has overcome a lot, including years of school refusal and ASD dx, to finally find a school where she thrives.

She’s done well academically and been predicted 8s and 9s at GCSEs. She’s keen to leave her school and go to college to gain more independence.

She’s not yet sure what she wants to do career-wise, but wants to apply for either Hospitality or Fashion pathways.

If she was set on going into either of these career paths, that would make sense to me - but she isn’t.

What would be her best options I this stage, both to maximise her sense of independence, and keep her future study and work options open? She has an EHCP currently.

Thanks very much.

What courses do your local colleges offer? Could she do a combination of BTEC and A-level? Maybe one of each?

If she doesn't want to go into hospitality or fashion taking those courses makes no sense. Has she said why she wants to do them? What is it about them that appeals to her? Could you try and find out and then suggest other qualifications that keep her options open. Eg does she want to do fashion because she is interested in designing things? If so perhaps she could do A level or BTec design and technology. If she is interested in business perhaps business studies or travel then perhaps geography.

If she is likely to hit 8s and 9s in her GCSEs, I would normally say do A-Levels. Although what is her executive functioning like? Do you even know? You make a lot more use of that at A Level and ND people are often weak in that area.

Also, has she considered staying at school for 6th form? Or is that not an option? For anyone, but in particular an ND person, I would strongly recommend staying at school for A-Levels if it is possible because there is only about 18 months to complete the syllabus, so there is no time to waste with settling in.

Is there a college that does A levels? Would that be best of both worlds?

A levels probably keeps more doors open, but only if she will do ok in them, attend, revise etc.

There are loads of different college courses she could do T-level/ Extended BTEC or do mix A levels & BTEC certificates.

Have a good look at all options. Though I agree a college environment would probably give more independence.

Is it a waste for academic students not to do A-levels?
No. A-Levels are not the easiest or most interesting of things to some otherwise academic students.

Leaving school is a big jump. You've been spoon-fed and told what to do all these years, and then at 16, you're actually expected to make your own choice (unless your family make it for you)... and it might have an impact on what you do when you're older. It's hardly any wonder that a lot of students leave school with no idea of what to do, because they have so little day-to-day exposure to anything other than sitting in a classroom.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of college courses to choose from. She might switch college courses partway through, or do a different course in her second year. Who knows? It's her life, and she needs the time and space to make those decisions for herself.

Disclaimer: I say this as someone who was told that I was going to do my A-Levels and a degree and get a proper job. I did all of those things, had a nervous breakdown, and then retrained in what I'd wanted to do in the first place. I'm much happier now!

Very helpful responses, thanks. I'll look into colleges that offer A-levels alongside BTECS. Our parental preference would be for her to stay at her current school where she has received amazing support, but she's adamant that she wants to go to college. It's tricky navigating what's best for her, without compromising her feelings of wanting more independence.

My now 19 yr old DD is also autistic, missed about a year of school and eventually did her GCSEs at home via the local council’s outreach programme. She chose to go to college and was much much happier than she had been in school. She did an art diploma, which led to them getting a place at a top university to do a Fine Art degree.

It does depend on what the options are in your local area, and how the SEN provision varies, but if your DD is set on college, she could still do A’ levels there. I would definitely be guided by what she wants.

Hospitality requires university degrees these days usually a Masters if she is thinking hotel manager as a career goal. She will need A levels to be on reception, a bachelors to be a concierge. If it’s travel/tour guide she will need to study several languages- so an MFL degree.

Fashion is via a fashion institute that’s and entirely different pathway,

No-one has mentioned apprenticeships yet. There is a high standard and they can get people into a great position. I’ve known young people who really struggled with school who have thrived on them. The money, responsibility, being taken seriously, makes a big difference.
There will be options in Hospitality, it’s worth having a look together to see what else may interest her.

@BlueRaspberry7 what county/borough are you in? That will help people to understand your local options.

For most young people the options are (in increasing order of independence):
1.Stay at current school sixth form.
2.Go to a different school sixth form.
3.Go to a college.
4.Do an apprenticeship

You say your daughter wants to go to a college. That's great, but there are different kinds of college. Some offer only vocational courses, others offer only academic courses, and some offer a mix of both. From what you have said, your daughter is choosing a college that only offers vocational courses - yes? And she is therefore choosing a vocational pathway, despite not yet having a vocation that she feels drawn to, yes? If so, that is a mistake which will limit her future options.

As I said at the start, if you let us know your area, people will be able to better advise you on alternatives.

We had similar with dd2. We went to the local college open day. After 20 minutes she wanted to leave and by the time we had found the car in the car park she had decided to do a levels after all. She’s now doing 3 academic a levels and thriving planning an academic degree at a RG university.

Shes NT just has the wrong idea about what college was.

Unpopular opinion...

With 8s and 9s "Hospitality or Fashion pathways" would be a no.

I'd be showing her clearly how much she'll earn with that (not much) and what living costs are... (without kids she'll get FA in benefits). Show her clearly the life she is choosing.

Then get her to pick some decent a levels and get her into an apprenticeship or off to uni at 18. Show her she can have freedom without college.

Id be looking to unpick WHY college? Making new friends is hard transition is hard... what's the appeal???