Failed Yr12 - what are the options now?

[AdventureTravelDreamer]

DS is doing a BTEC + 2 A levels. He is doing ok in the BTEC but has just got two Us in end of year exams and it looks doubtful he will be able to continue with his A levels.

Can anyone explain the funding for three years at 6th form? Can he change the two A levels but carry on with his BTEC meaning in his third year he is only doing 2 A levels?

i have emailed his Head of Year who I’m sure will come back to me today but I just want some information around how the funding works for 6th form colleges before I speak to them so I know what his options should be.

He knows he screwed up and didn’t work nearly as hard as he should have done!

Thanks

I don’t understand what you are proposing?

isnt part of the grade coursework? We’re they off school a lot? I’d need to know why they got U’s then I’d be looking at what next

My dd took 3 A levels at 6th form. After the first year she loved one but hated the other 2 and was destined to fail them. She swapped the 2 she hated. She carried on with the first A level that she loved and passed this in her second year whilst doing the first year of the 2 new A levels. She therefore stayed on for a 3rd year but couldn't just do 2 A levels so they arranged for her to take a year's course in finance which gave her half an A level. She has just left with (hopefully !)3 and a half A levels after 3 years. She is predicted to do well in them all. Hope this makes sense!

Thanks @Firstshoes it is the third year I am not sure about, if he continues with his BTEC but drops the 2 A levels and changes to either other A level subjects or picks up 2 more BTECs. He doesn’t want to have to drop the BTEC he is already doing as he enjoys it, has picked up the effort levels (there was a definite dip at one point in the year) and is on track to either get a M or D.

@User79865765 @KissThaRain what ideally we would like is for him to continue with his current BTEc and change the two A levels that he got Us in but the only person I know who did three years at his college had to start again with three new subjects and do two years of these so his first year didn’t count for anything.

Hioe that makes sense!

I'm not sure that would be allowed because in the third year he wouldn't be 'full time'.

I think his best bet might be to switch to a college, and 'restart' and do a level 3 Extended Diploma (3 A level equivalent) in his current BTEC or something similar. DDM or higher in that would be a good result.

What's the BTEC?

This is exactly what my dd did. I spoke to her peer mentor in the first instance. They weren't keen but they also didn't want her to fail the 2 A levels so allowed her to start the 2 new ones and stay on for a 3rd year while completing the one she liked. You will need to speak to them. The only thing was she spent a year in both upper and lower 6th!

What level is the Btec in terms of equivalency? I would guess 1A level equivalent but maybe not. If he likes the learning style of the Btec then the answer might be to switch to sixth form college in September, restarting Y12 and doing a two year, preferably extended diploma which is the 3 A level equivalent Btec. That would be fully funded. Carrying on with the A levels could be flogging a dead horse and there's more flexibility now for a reset in terms of funding than there will be in a year when anything extra has to be done in a year so limits the possibility. An extended diploma is still enough on its own for many universities and carries the same number of Ucas points as A levels (grade dependent obviously).

Just to update in case others have DC in similar position in the future. DS is continuing with his BTEC and one of his A levels and picking up an additional new BTEC in September. In the third year he will continue with the second year of the new BTEC and will also have to pick up another one year course then or an EPQ.

He has been allowed to continue with the one A level as a) he has been on track in all other assessments up until the end of year one, b) he made some significant exam errors (answered all questions in a section where he should have only answered 1, impacting on his marks) and c) it is his favourite subject and he has committed to revising over the summer and has to resit an exam in Sept.

It feels like he has good options going forward and that messing up at this point has not been a complete disaster! He just needs to make sure he is more focused next year but clearly that is up to him to decide!!