A level

[littlebillie]

My DS is sitting 3 A levels and the report came in at DDE for end of year 12. Due to family circumstances this has been a difficult year and the college know this.

He is being allowed to carry on to year 13 (it's a competitive college) even though he is below normal grade boundaries to continue.

I am now wondering if it is worth him restarting else where in September and writing this year off.

I'm worried he will get poor a level results next year

Would he want to start all over again? Not many people would want A'Level stress hanging over them for three years.

Does the fact that he's being allowed to proceed to year 13 mean the college thinks he can improve his grades within the year? What have they said, precisely?

College say he can stay on though others have left. The college is sympathetic to his circumstances but I'm worried that low grades would lead to no options post 18

What A-levels are they?

If, say, he got an E in maths, I would be very concerned about him continuing to Y13 as Y13 work builds heavily on Y12 work so if he only understood enough to get an E in that, he is unlikely to improve more than a grade, and that with significant work (from experience).

What is the report based on? If it’s based on his entire work thus far, I’d suggest he needs to start over as he won’t increased those grades that much.

If the report is based on a set of mocks or exams where he’s done badly because of the circumstances you mention, but he’s otherwise doing better, then progressing into Y13 should be fine - with some summer revision and a very early checkpoint with school next year.

Also what are the family circumstances (you don’t need to say of course but worth considering) is it something that will roll on and could impact this year too (terminal cancer in the family for example) or is it something which is ‘over’ (although I know nothings really over trauma wise!) and won’t impact him going forward.

If it’s the former I’d suggest restarting, possibly with a BTEC in place of one of the a levels

It was based on his mocks, he missed a lot of class time (though on zoom) due to me being home from hospital in December then on lockdown to March. I just think he lost interest in it and I was very ill, though on the mend now and hopefully no further impact.

His tutors like him and have been supporting him. He told us that 3 people had to find a new college as they had completely failed all three A'levels, they have told him he can continue.

I think I'm a worried that he will get poor A levels, but he feels he can pull it back. I just want the best for him and I feel that my illness has impacted on his life.

If his tutors are supportive, and he has a drive to do well I would suggest continuing. Get a meeting in with school at the end of July to review progress and see how he’s doing at that point - if he’s improving and grades are up, he could work with his tutors to set a catch up plan over summer.

Sorry to hear you’ve been poorly, glad you’re on the mend. Your illness hasn’t impacted him, plenty of students have blips and turn it around.

From what you say, OP - supportive tutors and his own willingness to do well - it doesn't sound as if starting again at a different college would provide more certainty of success.

I can completely understand your wanting to take some action to reverse any perceived impact from your illness - but perhaps he really could do without additional disruption? Now that you're home, and you can all see the end of A' Levels in sight (with the anticipation and preparation for university?) I daresay he will recover his motivation and be eager to press ahead.

It does sound like he has had a tough year, as have you. He has supportive tutors, wants to work and a supportive Mum. What are the A levels?

He will have 6 weeks of summer, what are his plans? My sons are awake for over 14 hours a day where they can be getting on and doing stuff. This gives your son plenty of opportunity to crack this and catch up or revisit year 12 content. There are numerous websites and YouTube to help with his studies.

He should think about making a timetable now for the summer but also asking his tutors for help in what to look at to improve his grades.