Dropping an A level in y12 for "half a btec" - worried

[Btecdilemma]

My DD (y12) wants to drop one of her 3 A levels this term for a variety of reasons - doesn't enjoy subject, can't keep up with work in class etc. She's dyslexic and has other learning issues which affect her organisation and planning, and anxiety. No one in her class speaks to her which I don't think helps with anxiety especially with a compulsory field trip coming up.

She's happy with her other two A levels though (which involve less writing/essays). She's also doing Core Maths which again she's happy with. Her college have said she can only move to a one year btec, given her a limited list of subjects to choose from, and said that this will also mean she has to give up core maths. They are not very proactive about learning support options and won't speak to us directly.

I'm really concerned this will hugely reduce her options applying for uni next year (college have yet to clarify what a one year btec is - I assume a National certificate?) but she's so unhappy I don't want her mental health to suffer.

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

[JusticeForWanda]

she would probably need to go for a university that offers based on UCAS points rather than grades if she doesn’t have three full Level 3 quals, or somewhere that offers a foundation year.
there’s no reason she needs to give up core maths though assuming the BTEC she picks doesn’t clash.

[RampantIvy]

Could she do an EPQ instead?

[spotcheck]

People often do this. Your child will still have options. If she wants a full A level equivalent ( in points) she could do the half btec and an EPQ

[Btecdilemma]

Thanks all - a teacher friend has suggested the EPQ too and DD has now asked careers teacher if this is possible. The subject teacher for her A level she's looking to drop is also general senior timetable tutor and is quite unhelpful so has not mentioned it as an option at all.

[McNick]

Would she be prepared to repeat the year & reselect her A'Levels.
My friends DS did this & it worked out well for him. Just added another year on at school but he was happy to be able to change his A'Levels. He's now looking forward to starting Uni in September.

[TizerorFizz]

@Btecdilemma
Im aghast the college won’t speak to you to discuss her options. What college is this? Do they have no SENDCO or person responsible for pupil support? I really would not accept this. For any 6th former, this approach is not acceptable so I would be going to a higher level to complain and get a discussion opened up on a sensible way forward.

[Btecdilemma]

@McNick - we asked this - they won't let her repeat the year as apparently this is only available (rarely) to students who have had a substantial amount of time off due to illness. @TizerorFizz the teacher has told my DD to make an appointment with careers service next week as we have said we just don't understand the points implication of dropping to half a btec - however she has to decide by next week whether to drop or not! DD now thinking the least worst option is to keep on with the A level but she's absolutely adamant she's not going on the compulsory fieldwork trip ( the thought of 4 days away when she's so anxious and doesn't speak to anyone is making her massively stressed)..if she doesn't do this I don't know if she can continue with it anyway...

[McNick]

I'm not sure about rules. It may be a local authority thing & if the sixth form is heavily subscribed there may not be places. But I feel that in the best interests of the child, if it is felt that they would benefit from repeating the year they should be given this opportunity.
Due to the disruption of the pandemic this cohort have been severely hampered. Some have done really well and stayed on track, whilst others have lost their way. I strongly feel that this should be taken into account. My friends son and my nephew fell into the category who lost their way. Fortunately, both were given the opportunity to rethink their A'level choices & repeated the year. My friends son has gone on to University, my nephew dropped out & is now very happy doing an apprenticeship having decided Uni is not for him.
If changing A'level choice & repeating the year is not accepted as an option at your school I would be tempted to contact your MP. It doesn't seem fair that other regions accommodate this & that your daughter is being asked to look into other methods off

[spanishsummers]

If it risks a possible third year if needed, she should go off sick for the field trip if she really won't attend.

[SoManyQuestionsHere]

Okay, so, realistically speaking:

I have a master's but I don't have any A-levels. That'll be because I suffered a nervous breakdown during my last year at school and was spending time in a closed psychiatric unit instead of at school (where I should have been).

What it has meant for me: I, literally, had to "talk" my way into acceptance to a very 2nd rate degree course. After that, I used my stellar undergrad results to be accepted into a way less chappy MSc course.

Things turned out well for me. But, oh man, has everything I am today been a function of me having - luckily - been born with the Gift of the Gab!

[SoManyQuestionsHere]

What I meant to say was: none of this is even remotely fair!

I could talk my way out of a world war if my life depended on it! It's a skill I have. They don't teach it at any school. It's that one small advantage I enjoy from having been born working-class: learned from mum and dad arguing over "please extend the deadline; we want to pay, we just cannot right now!".

[TizerorFizz]

@SoManyQuestionsHere
Apart from a good story, what has this got to do with the OPs DD and her subject dilemma?