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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

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Original poster

Online A-levels

28 replies

latticechaos · 17/08/2020 17:30

Hello, I have a question about doing A-levels online, as this year could be disrupted and the DC in question does really like self-study.

Does anyone have experience of this, and of companies to use?

I think they want to 'take back control' to borrow a slogan! They are worried about being in and out of school, teachers changing etc.

They would hope to do quite well (future algorithm notwithstanding!!) so not worried about the content, just the concept as a whole really.

OP posts:

Chickenkatsu · 17/08/2020 17:31

Someone on here really recommended interhigh, although the reviews are mixed. I'm interested in this also.

Original poster

latticechaos · 17/08/2020 18:03

Thank you @Chickenkatsu

I did wonder if online A-level s might be more popular this year

OP posts:

Chickenkatsu · 17/08/2020 21:44

For sure, they are bound to become more popular as the technology gets better, corvid just boosted what was happening anyway.

Here's the reviews I mentioned:

uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.interhigh.co.uk

Original poster

latticechaos · 17/08/2020 21:53

Thank you for the link!

OP posts:

SallySolardel · 17/08/2020 22:02

Most online A Levels expect you to find your own centre to sit the exams, which is expensive and sometimes difficult. So make sure you budget an extra £150 per exam (6 exams for most A Levels) as that's the standard cost.

SmileTolerantly · 17/08/2020 22:06

Placemarking in case anyone else has any useful thoughts.

catndogslife · 18/08/2020 15:16

My recommendationfor A levels is here [https://wolseyhalloxford.org.uk]

My tips are to make sure what exactly the fees cover before making any payments.
Also to check whether or not the fees include exam entry fees etc.
Tutors and Exams are good as an exam centre for private candidates [https://www.tutorsandexams.uk]

catndogslife · 18/08/2020 15:18

My recommendationfor A levels is here wolseyhalloxford.org.uk
My tips are to make sure what exactly the fees cover before making any payments.
Also to check whether or not the fees include exam entry fees etc.
Tutors and Exams are good as an exam centre for private candidates www.tutorsandexams.uk
Apologies for the double post - not sure if I did the links correctly on the first one!

CarrieErbag · 18/08/2020 15:24

Another recommendation for Wolsey, although it's not 'real time' teaching in a virtual classroom if that's what you are looking for?
You do have to be disciplined but I can't fault them for feedback and support so far.

Chickenkatsu · 18/08/2020 15:29

I'm definitely interested, so much cheaper than private school. The amount of quality content should increase over time.

Ellmau · 18/08/2020 15:57

And IF the virus took off and we had the same exam fiasco again next year - you wouldn't get CAGS and actually no grades at all.

Ginfordinner · 18/08/2020 16:01

@Ellmau

And IF the virus took off and we had the same exam fiasco again next year - you wouldn't get CAGS and actually no grades at all.

The home schooled students have nothing to show for the last two years. It must be heartbreaking for them.

The other issue is courses with practical elements. All the sciences have lab assessments. How will these be done?

Chickenkatsu · 18/08/2020 16:26

They do a 100% exam course, but they have the option for practicals:

We will be following the EdExcel curriculum that enables students to achieve a full A Level grade up to A* entirely based on their examination performance. For those who want it however we will be offering a number of intensive practical residential courses spread throughout the two year course. This will enable students to practise and hone their laboratory and practical skills and undertake the full range of practical experiments referenced in the curriculum. We will deliver these in partnership with a number of Independent Schools to provide outstanding yet affordable laboratory and residential facilities. This will enable students to gain a full practical grounding in their subject prior to pursuing any future career or study pathways.

interhigh.co.uk/introducing-level-science/

CarrieErbag · 18/08/2020 16:32

The downside of Interhigh was being unable to see how much success they had had with A levels.
We had nothing to go on and with very mixed reviews it was too much of a gamble for us especially with the high fees.

Chickenkatsu · 18/08/2020 16:37

They have results here but it's just A-C, you can't see the average points per candidate:

interhigh.co.uk/learning/exam-results/

It's a good point, I'd like to see that in more detail. I guess it's possible to do school and one subject on interhigh and then opt for more if it's any good.

CarrieErbag · 18/08/2020 16:39

That's IGCSEs isn't it?

Chickenkatsu · 18/08/2020 16:41

Yes, actually it is, not A-Levels, my mistake.

Original poster

latticechaos · 18/08/2020 16:50

@Ellmau

And IF the virus took off and we had the same exam fiasco again next year - you wouldn't get CAGS and actually no grades at all.

Does this apply equally to all online providers? One I think told us (well, DH) that you can do an early assessment to generate a CAG?

This aspect does concern me quite a bit.

OP posts:

CarrieErbag · 18/08/2020 17:10

Lots of home edded kids have their work marked regularly and take mocks.

Original poster

latticechaos · 18/08/2020 17:12

@CarrieErbag perhaps it was fully private candidates who have encountered difficulties?

OP posts:

Ginfordinner · 18/08/2020 22:02

A lot of university science courses (if not all) won't accept the student without a pass in the practical elements of their science A levels. DD is studying biomedical sciences, and had to pass the lab practicals as well as get good grades. The same applies to medicine. She spends several hours a week doing labs at university.

Original poster

latticechaos · 18/08/2020 22:44

@Ginfordinner

The ones I have seen do include the practical elements. It doesn't apply for our case, but I did see it included.

OP posts:

catndogslife · 19/08/2020 14:55

Taking the practical elements as a private candidates is very expensive.
Am relieved to here that it doesn't apply in the OPs case.
Someone I know signed up for an on-line A level course in a Science subject only to find out later down the line that the fees didn't include the practicals. When a local centre was found that offered practicals, they then found out this wasn't for the syllabus done by the on-line provider!
So therefore I do urge people to check carefully what the courses sign up for include beforehand i.e. before paying any money to a provider.

Oranges1234 · 29/08/2020 13:57

Hello my child has to sit two A levels in summer and we are thinking about online A levels but am worried about CAGs
her old sixth form have mentioned she can take exams there and also will send her UCAS off with the current year 13 cohort but have said they will only allocate her old CAG grades if there is another lockdown
I am so confused and was therefore wondering if anyone could recommend an online provider who would provide CAGs and because the fact that her old sixth form is involved in her UCAS application would they have the final say in grades in case of lockdown and cancellations summer 2021

catndogslife · 29/08/2020 18:12

@Oranges1234
Your question is very difficult to answer as know one really knows what will happen in future.
My understanding is that it's usually the centre where you actually sit the exams that would provide CAGs if needed.
However exam entries are not finalised until after the UCAS deadline so you could ask around other centres to find out what they offer to private candidates once the school have provided the necessary references and statement support for UCAS.
I did mention [https://www.tutorsandexams.uk] in an earlier post. They do offer all the necessary assessments if you take an A level course through one of their recommended providers.
I hope that helps with your decision making.

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