Sixth form entry requirements query

[JamiesTurkeyTwizzler]

I've been trying to get through to dd's chosen sixth form college all afternoon with no joy.

Their entry requirement is 5 GCSE's grade 4 and above but she has only achieved 3 above grade 4 and has a load of grade 3s inc maths and English language which she understands she'll need to resit. It's all been a bit of a shock.

She wants to study English lit, Media and History. The GCSE's she passed were those subjects. She got 4 4 5.

It's a separate sixth form not at her school and it's popular and oversubscribed. We are looking at different options but dd is upset to go anywhere without her friends and she's looking at long commutes rather than a quick bus ride so a lot to get her head around if she doesn't get in.

Is there much chance she'll still get in considering her passes are in the subjects she wants to study? Does anyone have any past experience of leniency in this situation?

I'll be back on the phone at 9am tomorrow but I'm hoping for some reassurance tonight so I can sleep.

Thanks.

It’s really going to be down to the college, maybe if there are many in the same situation they will be more lenient.
My DDs school were really strict and wouldn’t allow her to do Business A level as she didn’t have 5 in maths, she got a 4. She was told to either choose another A level or a business btec DD was really upset at the time but chose the btec plus two A levels. It worked out really well for her and she’s now as uni studying business at a good university.

It’ll depend how strict they are, but 6th form usually ask for certain grades because A levels are a massive step up from GCSEs and they’re trying to make sure the students will cope. I know your dd is upset now, but if she has to change colleges/courses it could be a blessing in disguise. I honestly think she’ll find A levels really hard given her GCSE results so looking at other options might be a really good idea. There are loads of other really worthwhile courses out there now.

Honestly, with those grades, A levels are absolutely not the right choice, I'm sorry. She either needs to take a level 2 course (with some GCSE retakes) or very possibly a 1 A level equivalent level 3 BTEC alongside some GCSE resits. Then look at further Level 3 courses next year. Can her school offer advice on where to go next?

I was just going to echo above, kindly, I am currently recruiting for my sixth form and I wouldn't be able to take her with those grades. I made that mistake with a few students my first year of heading up a sixth form and I ended up letting them down because they weren't academically ready for A Level. As the person above said maybe a Level 2 vocational course and some resits?
Schools and sixth forms were awfully busy today, I imagine if you email her Head of Year and careers lead they will get back to you as soon as they can with locally relevant information.

@JamiesTurkeyTwizzler , the college will have an admissions policy that you can find on its website and it will state she needs 5 GCSEs at grade 4 and above.
I agree that A levels are probably not the way forward at the moment

Thank you everyone. She works so hard but her exam anxiety was through the roof so it is a big worry that we'll be in the same position in 2 years with A level results. She's probably suited better to a course with less pressure on a final exam. I'll talk to sixth form tomorrow. They do have some btec but level 3 with the same entry requirements so may have to look elsewhere for level 1 or 2.
I appreciate your help and kind honesty.

See if any of the nearby colleges offer an Extended Certificate in Creative Media (Level 2). It’ll allow your DD to retake her maths and English while learning the more practical media skills. Doing, rather than analysing.

As others have said, unfortunately those results don't really show a candidate suited to A-level study, unfortunately. And if she struggles with exams, A-levels are definitely not the right option for her.

I think the results are borderline for a level 3 BTEC, and sometimes timetabling won't work if she needs to retake English and maths, but the college might allow her to try one.

Definitely get in touch with them tomorrow, and see what they suggest. I understand it's really hard having to look further afield, but it's better to be on a course of the right level that she can succeed at, than doing something she isn't quite ready for and struggling.

Thanks again everyone. I had my call with the sixth form and A levels are definitely not an option. The shock has worn off a bit now and Dd is looking at level 2 courses in other colleges. I just hope there are some places left for her.

She would be able to get into the 6th form of ds's former school with those results but she would not be allowed to do A levels, she would have to choose a work-skills/re-sit course. She might possibly be allowed to do 1 Level 3 Btec.

Does her school only offer A levels? If so, I would kindly suggest that it is not the 6th form for her.

Level 2 BTEC with retakes in maths & English would be my advice.

We had same at my school. Quite a few with similar grades who were insistent they didn't want to go to a college. Unfortunately most 6th forms would not take them. Most subjects want at least a grade 6 to get onto A level.

I think she would be miserable stuck in lessons which she would find challenging. Much better to do something at the right level.

In the end I think she’ll enjoy a level 2 Btec much more than A levels. I honestly think she’d feel totally overwhelmed. And the chance to resit her maths and English is really important too. Good luck.

Thank you. Dd has an interview next week for a level 2 course at one college and we are waiting to hear from another two colleges that she would prefer and are a lot easier to get to on public transport.

It says if successful at interview she can enrol afterwards but what if she's got other interviews lined up? Can she enrol anyway and then not go to that college if she prefers the other one? It looks like most courses start Sept 4th so we are really short on time!

She can enrol and switch colleges if another college will accept her after the start of term. It's normal in most schools and colleges to have a small number of students switch in September if they realise they've made the wrong choice.

Hopefully she'll hear from a college she prefers soon. However, unfortunately if a lot of their students who signed up for Level 3 missed their grades, they may be trying to place those first.

This isn't a criticism of you at all OP, but this thread is a good reminder to think about back up plans for parents in Y11. You can always apply to multiple sixth forms and colleges and choose one in September, and having an open application usually means a college will try hard to find your child a suitable place.

Yes I'm kicking myself for not insisting she apply for other courses at the beginning of the year or even just applying on her behalf. She was very fixed on the sixth form and her mock grades were all about 2 grades higher than actual grades so we didn't see this coming.
Definitely a lesson for the future. If she decides to apply for Level 3 or university in the future I'll be reminding her not to put all her eggs in one basket.

Just popping back to update. Dd has enrolled on a level 3 course. She was just under the entry requirements but came across well at interview (she really did her homework beforehand about the course!). She's excited and said she thinks it'll be more interesting than the A levels she originally chose, and she likes the vibe of the college!
So it's all worked out well in the end. Phew.

Ahh, that’s lovely to hear. Thanks for updating. Good luck to your dd.

Congratulations, well done and good luck to your DD.

Great update. Hope she enjoys her course.