Looking at 6th forms, Autumn 2018 start

[lljkk]

Anyone fancy a chat?

[TheSecondOfHerName]

If her average grade is 6 or higher, then A-levels would keep her options open. Sociology & Psychology are relevant for social work but do involve essay writing. A 6 in English would be an indication that she'll be able to manage.

If her average grade is below 6, she might be better off doing the BTEC in Health & Social Care. High grades in this would make it feasible for her to apply to quite a few university courses if that's what she wants.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

My last comment was for Appraiser

[Appraiser]

Thanks second that’s really helpful. Will let her know.

[Appraiser]

second what 3rd Alevel could she do instead of Health and Social Care? Or could she do that as well? That’s where I’m confused. The 6th forms we’ve looked at do the Btec as well so could she do all 3?

[TheSecondOfHerName]

Sorry, I was talking about the extended Level 3 diploma in Health & Social Care. It is the same amount of study 3 A-levels, so she wouldn't be doing any A-levels with it. She would get three grades where each grade is e.g. Distinction(D) Merit (M) Pass (P)

Or, if she gets average GCSE grades of 6+ she could study 3 A-levels: Psychology, Sociology plus one other.

I don't know anything about mixing A-levels and BTEC courses because none of the schools or colleges in our area offer that.
DS1 has been through the process of looking at university entry requirements, and they mostly offer based on 3 A-levels (e.g. ABB) or a BTEC extended diploma (e.g. D*DD)

If she is considering the possibility of university, she needs to look at some courses and what entry requirements they have, before choosing her sixth form options.

[Appraiser]

Thanks again Second we’ve spent this afternoon looking at uni’s and all 3 local ones do the BA(hons) Social Work, mist require BBC in Alevels so it’s been an eye opener for her I think.

[Petalflowers]

We've only looked at current six form at the moment, which is where he wants to stay. Also considering a local Catholic school, where a lot of his sport club mates go (but a year lower), and girls grammar (mixed six form).

If he gets his,predictions, he will,be fine where his is. However, his revision for his mocks seems a bit luck lustre. The RC has a lower entry, but the subject combination isn't so,good. The girls grammar ha better options for him, although may be a culture shock as he currently goes to a boys school (lots of single sex state schools,in this area).

[Theworldisfullofidiots]

We're in full on mocks now and dd is a bit wobbly. Tough day yesterday and she looked up how much difference do mocks make to predicted grades. They are taking last year's gcse papers in some cases (where they haven't quite finished the course) and school set exams in other (which are rumoured to be harder than actual gcses - but this may be a kids urban myth). Any words of wisdom?

[catslife]

Have been lurking as this thread is close to Y13 one.
Hi appraiser am posting because dds sixth form college does a mixture of A levels and BTECs.
There are 3 levels of BTEC:

1. the subsidiary diploma which is equivalent to 1 A level and students can take alongside 2 other A levels
   
2. the (standard) diploma which is equivalent to 2 A levels and students can therefore choose 1 A level subject to go with it.
   
3. The extended BTEC which is equivalent to 3 full A levels.
   

Not all sixth forms will offer all of the above but at dds college you can do either the single or the standard diploma.
The advantage of the BTEC is that it includes work placements as part of the course.
Either Sociology or Pyschology would be fine for social work. But bear in mind that the latter is considered a Science and at some sixth forms specified grades in Science (or even Maths) are required. Sociology is more an essay type subject.
dd has been taking a Health and social care applied A level type course with similar grades to your DN and is predicted a B at A level. Unfortunately due to A level reforms the A level course has been discontinued.

[Appraiser]

@catslife thank you for that. I thought as much with the different levels and 2 of the schools we looked at had the Btec had the standard and the extended.

I’ll pass this info on to my DN. Appreciate you commenting.

[LooseAtTheSeams]

DS didn’t bother with own school open evening in the end as has already talked to teachers about A levels. The form for the sixth form he’s most interested in at the moment has gone to school for a reference and will be sent on in a batch with others!

[alternate]

@Tweennightmare I’m glad it seems to be working out, it’s a bit of a nightmare, isn’t it?! My DD has been to 5 schools in 6 years. I’m done with it all, imagine how she is feeling! Although she is only now realising the enormity of this move as all the others have been sort of managed for her. We’ll sort it out when we are there. She needs to de stress right now.

@catslife Thank you, that’s really useful information. I have been really struggling with the different btec details and you’ve clarified it nicely.

[Oddsocks15]

splatattack are you still here?

DD is keeping us firmly at arms length, in fact she said she didn't want us to go to 6th form evening tonight. Did go, but kept firmly in the background and we weren't allowed to speak to teachers.....

DD wants to do A level Maths, considering; psychology, sociology or further maths. She recently sat mocks, and maths teacher hinted at a high mark and she could consider further maths... So confusing when DD won't talk to us, what works well with maths, she has no clue what she wants to do when she leaves 6th form.

[BubblesBuddy]

Sciences including psychology work well with maths. Definitely economics too. If she does maths at university they won’t care much what she does with maths. However if she goes down the management studies route or economics, then economics and history are better A levels with Maths. Sociology is often taken by young people who think it’s easier than History and it is less well regarded.

[lljkk]

I have developed a scientific curiousity about how different 6th forms sell themselves to parents. Last night's talk (to parents) was all about "transitions" and "support". In my local area, people send their kids to nearest secondary "to keep them close", parents don't look at exam results to choose a school. So I can see how the talk last night was addressed to that typical local parent who finds the "transition" daunting.

What are the themes of the school-sells you guys hear? I imagine some schools it's all about grades "excellence" or future jobs "opportunities" or not being a NEET for 2 yrs "growth".