bright anxious 16 yr old looking for alternatives to A levels

[lu9months]

hi all, my son is bright though not hard working, and was predicted 10 good GCSE grades, but has become very anxious and is struggling to get into school for exams. he is thinking that A levels might be too much for him given his anxiety. we are looking at apprenticeships, etc, and he is interested in engineering, architecture and design, but its hard to find anything suitable. we are in north London. does anyone have any experience, or advice? thanks

What is the main issue - anxiety or fact doesn’t work hard?

Might be worth looking at a UTC? Like this one - www.ldeutc.co.uk/
Or an engineering BTEC at an FE college?

anxiety. he has missed a few assessments due to panic attacks, and im not sure if he will make it back into school after easter. although not a hard worker, up til now he has kept up with everything and done well in tests, but things have got a bit de-railed recently.

@lu9months

anxiety. he has missed a few assessments due to panic attacks, and im not sure if he will make it back into school after easter. although not a hard worker, up til now he has kept up with everything and done well in tests, but things have got a bit de-railed recently.

Will that effect his assessments?

If he doesn’t go back?

There is a wide range of vocational courses - BTEC and equivalents (for example I teach a Cambridge Technicals course at level 3 which can be the same as two A-levels). They do usually include some exam units now but you can retake them and although they’re not easy, it’s not the same pressure as an A level exam. The rest is internally assessed coursework.

They’re not a doss course, not just for low-achieving students and you can easily get into university with them, especially if you want to do a vocational course there. I have students who combine vocational and A level courses and they all say the vocational part is their favourite part of college and they’re pleased they took it! I teach both and I really think the technical courses prepare students well for working life and for practical university subjects.

BTEC qualifications sound like the best option. If he’s struggling with anxiety will he manage the ‘work’ element of an apprenticeship? That’s tough for any 16 year old.

There are also T Levels, although not widely offered yet.

It’s worth bearing in mind that GCSEs cover so many subjects and exams that they are very stressful. At A level you get to focus just on 3 subjects that you enjoy rather than trying to spread your energy across so many subjects. My DD was less anxious at A levels than GCSEs.

thankyou all, useful points