What options are there for students with dire Alevels due to life events?( computer science )

[C0p3nhag3n]

Hi my son is struggling with severe trauma and intense anxiety. He also has ASC.He is having treatment,making progress but it’s slow and he’s still quite ill. Getting to the end of his Alevel courses and actually being able to sit through the exams is huge but he has managed to do very little revision and has struggled hugely in the exams themselves. We’re proud he managed to complete them without running out.

So results aren’t going to be good, expecting Ds instead of the As he’s capable off. He is going to take a year off but what can he do to get into Uni? Would he qualify for Access courses or is there anything else? He is bright just had the shiftiest past 3 years.

deuxgarcons

Im not sure he’ll get 3 CS.

Don't they go to twenties?

EHCPs can continue until 25, or 26 in some cases, but they don’t cover higher education, so don’t cover university.

@C0p3nhag3n Various foundation courses available! Have a play on UCAS, e.g.
https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/results/courses?searchTerm=Computing%20(Including%20Foundation%20Year)&studyYear=2023&destination=Undergraduate&qualifications=Bachelor%20degrees%20(with%20or%20without%20Honours)&postcodeDistanceSystem=imperial&pageNumber=1&sort=UcasTariffLowtoHigh&clearingPreference=None

DDD is 72 UCAS Tariff points for reference.

Yes it can go to mid twenties, but only further education level. Or alternative options like supported internships, placements that support independent living, access to working etc.

A young person going to University would have their EHCP ceased.

My OH works in IT and has a Computer Science degree. He totally screwed up his a levels and did a foundation degree. He gpt a first and out earns me with my 4 A levels, Russel group uni followed by masters by quite some way! He says his foundation degree taught him how to study which made everything after it easier. I suspect he is also undiagnosed asc (our kids both have a diagnoses) and I think he needed extra help to know how to revise etc.

apprenticeship would probably be a great idea for him

From what I’ve heard apprenticeships are harder to get into than Uni?

Dh is a software engineer and suggests if he wants to be a programmer/ focus on coding a coding bootcamp would be a good idea. He says lots of people go down that route these days - if you're motivated at coding it's a good route into direct employment.

Oh! This is my dd. ASD and struggling with school, A levels and anxiety. Bright as a button, but got ASD burnout.

Does your son get PiP? He’s entitled to a bursary for FE I’d he gets pip, and free education ( I think) you have to contact the college direct.

I feel your frustration and pain. I could weep for Dd. She’s definitely taking a year out before anything else ( that’s if we make it to A levels)

You need to try for an EHCP. We are at appeal stage atm.

If you applied for an EHCP (from your description your DS would definitely get one) then your DS could get access to supported internships, which would give him a foot in the industry door.

Also, some universities have procedures in place for ‘disrupted’ education. Like an entrance exam l think.

And if he’s applied for anywhere his context will be taken into account and grades adjusted accordingly.

What about an HNC/D course as an access route to a future Uni place ? My ASD Ds is doing this. There's free Microsoft courses you can do to boost a CV too.

We’ve applied and sadly there’s no definite a. My dd is the same and we’re fighting every step of the way for her.

DS sat his A levels last summer, got CDD in computer science, chemistry and maths.

dyslexia diagnosis since year 4, dyspraxia diagnosis after exams and possible ADHD/ASD according to psychologist who reconfirmed dyslexia diagnosis and gave dyspraxia diagnosis.

he has gone to do a BTEC in finance, many of his classmates are straight from GCSEs

Once he's at university (if he goes) he can get support from Disabled Students Allowance to meet his support needs.

Once in work, if needed, he can get support from Access to Work, which is funding that allows disabled people to work where reasonable adjustments alone won't suffice.

Many people have to appeal bad decisions, but the OP's DS clearly meets the criteria for an assessment:

May have SEN - he has ASD
May need provision from a plan - he has already interrupted his studies and has struggled to sit exams.

That's enough to get the assessment. The fact that he is accessing CAMHS means that he has demonstrable MH difficulties which adds complexity.

PIP alone doesn’t automatically qualify a student to a 16-19 bursary. Those in receipt of PIP and either ESA or UC do automatically qualify. Some providers may give those with PIP alone a bursary but it would be discretionary. It would also be discretionary due to OP’s DS’s age. You can see the criteria here.

I was predicted 3 As but achieved CCE (about ten years ago). I did an apprenticeship and then used that to apply for university. I’m a chartered surveyor now.

My dd is identical. CAHMS, disrupted education, ASD, anxiety, EBSA, Self harming, situational mute,

Still for refusal to even assess.

But surely if you are 19 and get POP you get ESA too?

Did you appeal that decision? You would have won. The bar is very low for assessment. If you're out of time, apply again.

We’re in the middle of it now.

You can retake A levels online. He doesn’t have to go to another sixth form.

https://universitycompare.com/advice/a-levels/retaking-a-levels

Some universities are willing to keep offers open for a year to a few years too.