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.

Sounds like he needs some time out and time to rediscover himself and relax tbh. University can plunge many into mental health issues... it's not something I'd recommend for those already suffering.

Two people at my university killed themselves by jumping off the roof. Don't risk it.

So access course could be a possibility at some point in the future?

See what grades he ends up with and go from there.
He could do an access course once he’s 19, or he could search for foundation years which accept his specific grade profile via UCAS. Some only want the equivalent of two E’s, so he has options!
Given his needs I wouldn’t have said the apprenticeship route sounded the best option, but that could be re-considered after this therapy finishes and he sees where he’s at. I suggest they might not be the best route because they can be high pressure - both applying if you go for high level ones, and the day to day experience of being an employee.

Possibly. However it still may not give entry to all cs courses, as some may want a specific grade in a specific subject. His A level grades may suffice without or he can take standalone courses to add UCAS points if the uni he wants uses them. If he applies later as a mature student he may bypass the need for any resits or extra courses. Try not to focus on uni as the be all and end all though.

Further level 3 study could be possible with an EHCP.

An EHCP can last up to 25 in some cases.

Does he have any special arrangements/reasonable adjustments in place for exams?

Definitely, but not if a young person chooses to go to University. An EHCP will cease then.

My Ds is 19 and will have his EHCP for at least another two years, but I think there's a good chance he may need one longer than that.

My DH is exactly the same, he has an amazing job with a large company, didn’t go to uni. Not many he works with did. He hasn’t mad any difference to his career at all

Access course is an option if he is aged 19 by 31 Aug.
Also register on www.apprenticeships.org.uk - do a search for apprenticeships in vocational areas he might be interested in within the area he is prepared to travel (say, 10 miles?) and set up alerts so he will be notified of anything new starting.
Ask to see the school careers adviser before he finishes sixth form for the year and see what they are aware of locally.
He could also book in to see the National Careers Service and see what they suggest.
Lots of luck to him :-)

Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realise that.

@C0p3nhag3n Yes Access is an option at 19. It’s cheaper (free) than doing a year 0/ foundation year.

But must check entry reqs. There’s a few available and some unis are specific others not.

I've just seen this Gov funded online course called Upskill to cyber not sure if might be of any use, have also sent details to DS who might be interested

www.sans.org/mlp/upskillcyber-uk/