Is it true that clever people go to 6th form and people who aren't go to college

[thistimeiknowitsforreal]

Evening all,

It was always drummed into me that after GCSE`s that if you are intelligent you went to or stayed at school and went to 6th form depending on your previous circumstances.

But if you weren't good enough you went to college instead.

Whats your experience in this area ?

So people who do those professions can`t have an academic side.

Of course they can - but you're deskilling those that follow a vocational route.

I think the option for 2 A levels and 1 vocation is a good idea.

It is a good idea if it is what the young person wants. It is a bloody stupid idea if it means forcing someone to take a subject they do not want. You are taking away freedom and responsibility at the point where those things need to be developed. You are wasting a teaching slot that could be used for something relevant to a young person's interests and future plans. My disabled DC would have hated being made to do bricklaying instead of History. Young people should be allowed to make choices and then live with the consequences, It's part of growing up.

You are also the only person on this thread who thinks it is a good idea.

How are you going to make universities accept this? You'd have to completely reform the admission system as well.

I got into Uni with the equivalent of 2 A levels.

Also perhaps the ucas points system needs a re-work then

I got into Uni with the equivalent of 2 A levels.

So did my foster son. But he didn't do bricklaying or catering becaise he'd have hated that. Both my other DC did 3 A levels.

I got into Uni with the equivalent of 2 A levels.

Why do you want to take choice away from young people?

I could say it shows given your lack of any sort of critical thinking....

What's the ucas points system got to
do with anything. It's a representation that's all.

You're arguing people should start medical degrees with two thirds of the knowledge they currently have, so the other third of their time can be spent learning hairdressing or bricklaying. Barmy frankly.

I somehow don`t think i have that power.

Im not sure if its a compliment you think i do.

I would need to join a political party, become and MP and then get in the cabinet and become minister for education.

I think i probably have about as much of a chance of say getting a date with Maya Jama as the above happening.

Also doing something "non relevant" as you allude to could bring some life skills they turn to in later life, teach them team working skills, problem solving, cognitive skills.

Also you mention history no problem with that at all but why not teach more modern history say after WW2 ?

Not necessarily.

Take medical disciplines, people need prepping for surgery ?

Why do you think he would have hated them ?

Take medical disciplines, people need prepping for surgery ?

You'll need to explain your thinking with that sentence. Are you arguing that medical students could use the beautician knowledge they gain at college to prep someone for surgery?

Also doing something "non relevant" as you allude to could bring some life skills they turn to in later life, teach them team working skills, problem solving, cognitive skills.

Or they could already have those skills through practicals in their science A levels, or have learned them at home, or they could learn them at (gasp) university? No need to waste a third of the post 16 curriculum.

Re A level History - you mean like this spec?? Which is already available? It is up to schools to decide which modules they teach and it changes, mostly based on what specialised subjects the teaching staff have. I'm surprised you don't know that. This is AQA, but I imagine EdExcel isn't much different.

You still haven't explained why you think it is acceptable to take choice away from young people at a time when they need to be learning to make and manage their own choices.

Why do you think he would have hated them ?

Have you met a teenager recently? Generally they're not backward at telling you what they like and what they hate!

You still haven't explained why you think it is acceptable to take choice away from young people at a time when they need to be learning to make and manage their own choices.

Hasn't explained why reducing demand for plumbers, hairdressers etc is a good idea either.

Well yes there is some cross over or synergy there

The teaching of history has changed since my day, that curriculum looks pretty cool.

Some people leave school and go to college because school makes them very unhappy.

That's because its not taking away choices, if anything its creating more choice .
I think as a human race were are along way away from a situation like that anyway there could be other things

Now I know you're having us on. Well played, OP.

That's because its not taking away choices, if anything its creating more choice .

I think you need to look up the meaning of the word 'choice' I do not think it means what you think it means.

Well you asked the question i gave you a reply ?

What did you want the answer to be ??

I would give people the chance to do a bit of both academic and vocational.

Also some people might not want to do 3 A levels and may feel forced into that.

See nobody thought about that did they.

That's because its not taking away choices, if anything its creating more choice .

Choice:

I'm a plumber. Not many people can do plumbing. I'm in demand. As a result I can charge £60 an hour and now live in a 4 bed detached in a nice area where I can support my family.

Vs:

I'm a plumber. Loads of people can do plumbing because loads picked it as an option when they did their fancy-pants A levels. My skills are not in demand any more. I can't earn much money and still live with my mum despite being 43.

Also some people might not want to do 3 A levels and may feel forced into that.

See nobody thought about that did they.

You're right. If only there was a technical qualification that was a similar size to an A level that kids could do at college. We could call it a BTEL, BTEM, oh I know! BTEC!!!!

Oh, wait...

Funnily enough my foster son did 2 A levels and a BTEC so yes, someone has thought of that and it is already happening! It just isn't compulsory.

Let me put it very simply, because that seems to be what is needed.

• Some people want to do 3 A levels (and perhaps an EPQ on the side). They should be allowed to make this choice.
• Some people want to do BTECs. They should be allowed to make this choice.
• Some people want to do a mixture of BTECs and A levels. They should be allowed to make this choice.
• Nobody should be forced into courses they do not want to do because of some rando's mad ideology.

Got it now?

Your foster son sounds like a clever lad you must be very proud of him.

I am indeed. I am also very proud of my other two children who took (oldest is a graduate) or are taking the academia only route. They are all working very hard to follow their dreams and nobody is making them do bloody bricklaying when they do not want to do this!