Would you let your child choose “easier” A-levels to get better grades?

[ainawatson]

My child is about to start sixth form and we're having a bit of a disagreement about subject choices.
They're considering subjects they genuinely enjoy and feel confident they can get good grades in, but I'm wondering whether they should choose more traditionally academic or “useful” subjects instead to keep more university and career options open.
Would you prioritise enjoyment and the chance of higher grades, or choose subjects based more on future career prospects?
Interested to hear what other parents and students would do!

I agree, psychology definitely gets labelled as a “soft” subject when it really isn’t. There’s a lot of research, statistics and critical thinking involved, and it can lead to some really good degree and career options. I think it’s more about choosing subjects that fit the individual and what they might want to do later.

Yes. Former teacher here and at A Level I’ve seen so many students drop out a few months or a year in because they never had much interest in a subject in the first place but had either been pushed by parents to do it, or picked it just because it was their strongest GCSE grade.

Yes, I think that’s an important point. If they already have a particular university course or career in mind, checking the entry requirements before choosing A-levels makes a lot of sense. It would be a shame to choose subjects they enjoy and then find out later they don’t meet the requirements for the course they want. I suppose the tricky part is when they have no idea yet what they want to do!

This is right. I’ve known students pick it because they or parents view it as ‘soft’, and ending up finding it really quite challenging.

If they don’t know what they want to do, and have aptitude in a range of subjects, then looking at what subjects are absolutely required for which types of courses may be useful. STEM subjects tend to have more defined requirements because the courses build on existing knowledge whereas some of the humanities don’t - though they’ll often want an ‘essay subject’. It’s not possible to keep all doors open (though some may still be accessible via a foundation course), but it’s pretty easy to see which doors they may be shutting.

Tell me, OP - when you wrote your original thread title, asking if people would "let" their 16 year old do certain subjects at A level - were you actually thinking of MAKING your son/daughter do subjects they didn't want to do?

I ask because it sounds like the worst possible kind of parental interference if you were thinking that.

When I was in Y7 (we're going back more than 50 years), I was asked by my school to choose a second foreign language (a choice of Spanish or ancient Greek - I went for the latter) to study from Y8. I asked my mother's opinion and her response was an immediate "It's your choice, not mine". She similarly did not interfere with my O level or A level choices and had no input whatsoever to my degree application.

I am a similar age to you and had no involvement from my mum (my dad had died a few years before) in subject choice. My mum trained as a shorthand typist once she left school at 14. She recognised that education had changed and that she didn't have the necessary knowledge to advise mecon subject choice. OP didn't do A levels but does want to influence her DS, and is, quite reasonably, gathering information on MN but not being at all clear on how or if she is applying it.

All of this is happening just before and during the first days of term, and then we learn, despite OP's professed involvement with DS's education, that he hasn't completed his maths bridging homework.

The 'let' stands out for me too, and I have commented on it earlier, pointing out that you can't make a DC study subjects they don't want to study, especially at A level. This thread and the companion thread about the transition to A level are both a little odd, albeit fascinating too.

Definitely not making him. Just trying to guide as he's completely undecided.

@UnintentionalArcher Yes this! I have heard the exact thing.

You have told us that he has chosen chemistry, English and maths, and that you will have to get him a tutor for chemistry, the latter exchange having happened only this week. Term is now in week two. He was given maths bridging homework that he didn't complete in the holidays.

Today, you are telling us he is 'completely undecided'.

Has he abandoned Chemistry, English and maths? Has the college allowed this? Which subjects are on the table now? Who's going to make the final decision, you or him? Isn't he worried about falling behind with all this chopping and changing?

Share this Web site with your with them so they can make informed choices. Of course Russell Group is not for all students, but the subject groupings might be helpful: www.informedchoices.ac.uk/subjects

This is really helpful, thank you.

He was........ not is

Thanks for sharing this. Can you suggest me about tutor.

You did write 'is'. So I was confused. Clear now.

What has your child finalised ??

He is doing Maths, English and Chemistry.

It's okay. No problem.