Right Choices - A Levels

[OntoEducation]

My son starts sixth-form tomorrow. He’s doing A-Level English Language, Chemistry and CT. The language looks challenging, he achieved a 6 in English Language and Literature, do you think he’ll struggle, he was predicted a 7 in mock exams prior to GCSE’s but achieved slightly under, I’m not sure how close he was to the grade boundary above.

It depends what your son's strengths are - I don't think he would necessarily struggle with English having got a grade 6. I'm not sure about the new spec, but the A level used to be very different to GCSE, more like linguistics and language acquisition studies, along with creative writing. So it could suit him more than the GCSE, or he might find it worse.
Is he having doubts about it? It might be a good idea for him to have in mind an alternative subject that he could swap to in the next few weeks if he finds he doesn't enjoy his English lessons. I'm not sure what CT means - did you mean DT? If so, maths or physics might be a good choice to go with chemistry. If he's looking for an easy third option, then Law or Computer Science are both fairly straightforward.

DD is also studying English Language A Level, but she's also only just started so I can't give you much information.
At her school they will take you onto the A Level with a 5 in English, so I would say he is fine with his results. How did he do in humanities subjects? The A Level will involve a fair amount of essay writing/research, so these are good skills to have.

I'm also not sure what you meant by CT - but the thing that jumped out, and hopefully your DS considered when he chose his A Levels, is what he hopes to do afterwards? It might be a slightly odd combination.

Thanks for the replies. Sorry I thought it was CT (Computer Tech) but it’s Computer Science. He’s eventually hoping to go into computing, the English Language was chosen because he seems to be naturally good at it, also if he decides to do something different, English is good to have within a broad range of jobs/prospects. He’s very unsure about future prospects at this point.

If he wants to do Computing, I think Maths A-level would be more useful than English Language. DS did Chemistry, Maths and Computer Science. Although he decided against studying Computer Science further, the combination worked well.

Whilst Maths A level is useful, most sixth forms will expect a grade 7 or above pass in Maths GCSE to allow someone to study Maths A level.

I hope your DS is aware that English Language A Level is very different to the GCSE?

I agree with Tumbleton that maths A Level would be more useful than English Language - many universities will require it. May be less of an issue if he's looking at an apprenticeship/job at 18.

I forgot to say, his first day went well today but he was surprised that he was the only boy in his English Language class. Was a little bit awkward for him initially being in a class of only girls but they soon mixed.

He wasn’t keen on doing Maths but maybe I’ll mention it to him again, he has the grade but not for further Maths which is a 8/9. She did say he can trial a few subjects and pick the ones he prefers, Language and CS are ones he wants to stick with though.

Just one boy in DD's English Lang class too!
(But no girls in Computer Science)

I agree with others, he is likely to need maths A level for computing at uni. Probably more useful than CS A level, funnily enough. Please do check this out a there is time to switch.

YY Eng lang A level is very very different from the GCSE so make sure he also realises what it involves. A level Eng lang won't particularly lead anywhere (as in, Eng degrees focus on Eng Lit for the most part) but of course if he is interested in the subject matter and turns out to be good at it then happy days.

He probably needs to have a quick look at the degree requirements for unis he may be interested in for computer science as I think he will fins it hard to find one without a Maths A level. There will be some other tech type degrees that might but it is still early in y12 and he could catch up if he switched

Definitely maths if he wants to do computer science at university.

The definitely Maths A level for computer science is only good advice if the student is capable of getting a high grade in A level Maths. Many students on 6/ 7 at GSCE end up dropping Maths A level or getting a low grade. The type of universities that want a maths A level often want a very high grade anyway. Away from Russell group universities there are some really good computer science/ tech related courses with good levels of Employability and no requirement for Maths A level.

Not good choices in my view. Scattergun rather than considered choices. Look at university courses he might want. Agree former polys might be more accommodating. Maths is obviously the missing link! EL is the odd one. Chemistry looks a lonely choice too!