Should we let him try A levels or push for alternative?

[Jewelcake]

my son got an average of just over 5, better in maths and physics. He is bright but not very motivated. He is adamant he wants to stay on at school and do A levels. He did have a really hard time in his last year of GCSEs, attendance dipped, his mental health was very poor, however now much better with less stress.
my worry is that he is staying on at school because of his friends DS not because he wants to do A levels. Although he says he is interested, I am not sure whether this is the right course of action for him, but he won’t consider going to have a chat with the local college for alternatives to A levels.
he is considering business studies, economics, psychology and philosophy.

would be interested in thoughts, particularly from any teachers, whether I should continue for him to consider alternatives. Or should we see a term and see?

No point
He struggled seriously at GCSE and the a level jump is big

He had serious mental health issues with stress… what due to?
so why would a levels be different

Honestly realistically A levels are probably not right for him but you know him best. For some it is best to let them work that out for themselves. You get 3 years of funding so if he drops A levels after one year he still has enough funding to do a 2 year level 3 course at college.

Most places allow switches of course on the first few weeks or up until half term. Changing at Christmas can be very tricky.

students with that kind of grade profile can do those a levels (although philosophy might be tricky) but are likely to come out with Ds or Cs.

top grades at a level are unlikely.

hoe about business studies btec?

does the sixth form offer btecs?

How many GCSE's did he do and what were the grades.

How did he do in maths, English & science?

Many schools would not even allow someone with ostly Grade 5s to do A levels unless he had really good grades in the the subjects he was planning to take.

Let him try, sometimes dropping all the subjects you hate helps, get a plan with him to make it work.

I'd advise a different route.

If he really wants to do A Levels is he prepared to get D and E grades?

Is he wanting to go to uni?

thanks all, I kind of know he is going to struggle, however he doesn’t know what he wants to do and so sees staying on as the path he knows best. I have tried to say we can alternatives are there, but currently it is all about his friends and not about the study.
it is good to know that he gets3 years of funding so if this doesn’t work we can look to restart à course next year.
not planning to go to university. But has no idea where he is heading or what he wants to do …

How did he do when it came to revising for GCSEs @Jewelcake ?

Did he do any of those subjects at GCSE? It feels a bit like he might not have enjoyed or succeeded with any of his GCSE subjects so has picked other subjects in the hope that the grass is greener.

Has the school said they will take him on the grades he has? You might find they say no, or are willing to help you encourage other possibilities. Also enquire about any checkpoints - will they let you know if he isn't coping?

One thing you might mention to him is that if he doesn't succeed with the A-levels, and has to start over with BTecs, he won't be with his friends then, and they'll go off to uni before he's done. If he goes for the BTecs, he'll make some new friends, probably stay in touch with his current friends, and be ready to move on at 18 like everyone else. (Actually, it's not the end of the world taking that extra year and not moving on together, but nor is going to a different 16+ provider to your friends.)

If he's adamant, I think you have to let him try, and just be ready for a possible change of plan.

Did he do business GCSE? What grade did he get?

Otherwise I assume those A levels are new subjects. So what did he get in maths (econ), Eng lit or history or RE (phil) and science (psychology). If those GCSE grades were less than a 6 the outcome is unlikely to be great at A level.

Why has he chosen those A levels? Is it simply bc they are not things he took at GCSE (I assume, as GCSE econ and GCSE phil not often offered)? That doesn;t always or even usually mean a big upturn in grades.

Would he prefer to have two years of hard work to come out with grades like DDD (unlikely to take him to uni) or would he prefer to take a more practical course, perhaps at college, like a business Btec?

He is actually interested in philosophy and did RS - did fab on the philosophy part but not great on the religion bit. Psychology is has always wanted to do. He chose the others as maths is his best subject but doesn’t want to do straight maths so thought business and economics would be better

I am also wondering why a 4-5-6 GCSE candidate is taking four A levels - or is this demanded by his school/college? will he be able to drop one?

Psych needs a decent maths ability (tho not maths A level) so it's good that maths is a strong subject for him.

The key is how he did with revision @Jewelcake because that will have been the first time he’d have had to self study, which is quite critical to a levels!

I can’t conceive of a student getting these grades doing 4 levels!! My son for 7-9 across the board and no way is he doing 4. He is focussing squarely on nailing 3.

As his mental health issues related to school? Was he stressed about his studies or something else?

I’m surprised the school are letting him do A-levels. What about BTEC or equivalent Applied Science as one choice? That would work with the good grades in maths and physics?

Have you actually discussed this with the school @Jewelcake ?

Psychology will be tricky too.

My eldest got mostly 5s in her GCSEs - she didn’t really
like school but absolutely loved her A Levels and really knuckled down. She got AAA last week and is off to her first choice university! would say if he chooses subjects he genuinely likes and is prepared to work he should be ok.

What a levels did she do?

she got all 5s and then pulled out 3 AAAs… wow!!

dod she get 5s in the ones she went to study at a level ?

I think it's still the case, that you will never work harder than you do during A levels, the intensity is hard to imagine. If someone has 4,5, even 6 grades then A levels would be a struggle. Even subjects where they've done well at GCSE can be a struggle as A level as the nature of many subjects changes. A levels are not the only option, school should be able to offer advice on the way forward.

I did a levels
and not a patch on university!

but yes… at my son’s school the minimum is a 6 to follow on to a level

So update after meeting with school, starting 4 with a view to do 3, dropping in 6 weeks or so. Has to adhere to agreement for support and meetings. I guess we will see!

congrts to your daughter getting amazing À levels!

Madness