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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

Will DS be capable of doing A Levels with these GCSE results?

123 replies

PSLK · 29/08/2023 10:41

My DS achieved the following GCSE results:

Maths 6 (one mark off a 7)
German 6 (one mark off a 7)
History 6 (three marks off a 7)
English Lit 6
English Lang 5 (one mark off a 6)
Combined Science 5/5
Food Prep 5
Statistics 4

He has been very unsure about what to do at college but feels like maybe he could give A Levels a go as his results are better than we expected, specifically in English and Maths. He was predicted 7s for German and History and isn't far off those grades. We are getting the scripts for the subjects he was one mark off in.

He's looking at German, Modern History and Law as his choices, although not set in stone.

I'm concerned that although his results are good he will struggle with the step up to A Levels.

Does anyone have any experience with their children or themselves doing A Levels with these kind of GCSE results?

OP posts:
Layinwait · 29/08/2023 10:46

How did he approach study and revision?

Layinwait · 29/08/2023 10:46

What’s the alternative for him?

Original poster
PSLK · 29/08/2023 10:49

Honestly, his approach was poor for the subjects he didn't enjoy but a bit better for the ones he did. Revision was a nightmare with me having to cajole him constantly to knuckle down. But he can see that actually if he does work hard he can achieve good results.

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Original poster
PSLK · 29/08/2023 10:50

He's signed up to a T Level but isn't particularly keen. He's considered the BTECs as well but none of them interest him. He's also looking at apprenticeships.

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TotalOverhaul · 29/08/2023 10:52

I'd be inclined to ask for a remark on the two borderline ones. I'd expect he can do well in Maths, History and German if he chooses. Interesting combination.

Which are his favourite subjects?

I found my GCSE results the other day and was surprised to see i only got a B for my favourite subject which I went on to do at uni.

Layinwait · 29/08/2023 10:54

Maths 6 (one mark off a 7)
German 6 (one mark off a 7)
History 6 (three marks off a 7)
English Lang 5 (one mark off a 6)

really? In all 4 subjects he got exactly the same mark?

coloursquare · 29/08/2023 10:54

My concern would be that Maths, History and German are each a massive step up at A Level.

Okwotnext · 29/08/2023 10:54

If he works hard, has good attendance and enjoys the subjects he could certainly do A levels. His target grades are likely to be Cs or maybe B statistically but that would get him into university if he chooses. Of course he can perform better the more effort he puts in. My daughter had similar GCSEs and is halfway through and on track to get 3Bs at A level. Let him have a go.

Original poster
PSLK · 29/08/2023 10:57

Just to confirm he's interested in German, Modern History and Law at A Level. He'd never consider maths.

@Layinwait not quite sure what you're getting at? He was one mark off the next grade up in all 3 subjects.

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BoohooWoohoo · 29/08/2023 11:00

My son is a year older with similar results and doing A-levels despite the fact that school and I think he should have done BTECs. The subjects he currently does are available as BTECs but he wanted to stay at his school.
He's not planning on uni which is the right decision ime as he hasn't worked very hard. His strengths lay elsewhere and I think he'll do much better at work.

Piggywaspushed · 29/08/2023 11:01

At my school that would be somewhere in the middle of our ability range for those pursuing A levels. It wouldn't raise eyebrows. I teach plenty with far lower grades.

To make the most of it, he'll need to not get all over excited about free periods, Costa and social life and focus on improvements in work ethic.

BerryGoodPudding · 29/08/2023 11:04

This has been discussed on other threads on here but it does come down to attitude to learning and resilience as at the start of A levels he may feel a bit overwhelmed. How he deals with that will either make or break it in my opinion. Ds's mate needed a 6 for maths A level and got a 5 so on results day had to choose a different A level but chose a diploma course. He said he would knuckle down and never did and his results reflected that.

Ds and his mates all had a positive attitude to learning, studied together in their free periods to talk through stuff to make sure they all understood what they had been taught. They sought help when they didn't understand something. Plus learn from your "mistakes" why did you only get a D and what can you do to improve it rather than just moving on without addressing it.

On his exam results he is likely to get Bs and Cs, but there is nothing stopping him achieving beyond those grades. This isn't the 80s with library access, everything he needs is online, videos from teachers and students on Youtube, online past papers for future learning plus hopefully great teachers. It is up to him how much he wants it.

Comefromaway · 29/08/2023 11:04

Yes, I would say that is is capable of A levels with those grades although he may not be aiming for A stars and A's if he chooses his subjects carefully and works hard it could be B's and C's.

Original poster
PSLK · 29/08/2023 11:08

Definitely my biggest concern is his attitude to learning. Without me driving him on with revision during the exam period he wouldn't have received the results he got.

But he has seen that his 2 friends who were predicted higher grades than him have achieved lower grades due to a complete lack of revision. Those friends are now having to pick different A Levels as they didn't get high enough grades. It's really made him stop and think.

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Prescottdanni123 · 29/08/2023 11:14

Whether or not they agree to grant him a extra mark to get up to a grade 7 for History and German or not, he is essentially at level 7. Again with being 3 marks off a 7, you are almost there.

A levels are a step up from GCSEs, you do need to work harder, but I wouldn't say that he won't manage sixth form with those grades.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 29/08/2023 11:20

It depends on his work ethic, and it doesn't sound like that's very good. He's learned that he can get ok grades by not doing that much revision and relying on being cajoled into it by his mum. I doubt that's a lesson that will teach him to work harder for his A Levels. German is a massive step up, even for students with 7s, 8s or 9s.

lto2019 · 29/08/2023 11:26

Layinwait · 29/08/2023 10:54

Maths 6 (one mark off a 7)
German 6 (one mark off a 7)
History 6 (three marks off a 7)
English Lang 5 (one mark off a 6)

really? In all 4 subjects he got exactly the same mark?

They are not necessarily all the same mark as the grade boundaries are different for different subjects.

Original poster
PSLK · 29/08/2023 11:26

His work ethic when it comes to studying has not been good. But he does have a great work ethic generally as he's been working for the last year and has recently taken on another job. Which is why I think he'd suit an apprenticeship but they are few and far between where we live.

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BiggerBoat1 · 29/08/2023 11:29

It is a huge jump from GCSE to A Level. His results are bad, but he may struggle with A Levels.

Beamur · 29/08/2023 11:29

I'd say those are good grades, especially if with application he could do better.
Certainly good enough for A level - but he will need to work harder if he wants top grades

lto2019 · 29/08/2023 11:30

Those grades are good enough for A'level - T Levels. If he doesn't have a clear idea of what he wants to do at the moment - it would be worth continuing further study. He can always do other things in the future. The focus on fewer subjects, the difference between school and 6th form might mean he would enjoy it.

caringcarer · 29/08/2023 11:32

At the school I worked in we actually found it made a difference instead of putting free periods on their timetables we put private study periods.

Muphryscrabsticks · 29/08/2023 11:37

Maturity is a big factor too. Not everyone has hit their stride for GCSE. It doesn’t sound like he’s managed to harness his potential fully and if he is going into his A Levels with a good attitude, I think I’d encourage him.

Original poster
PSLK · 29/08/2023 11:47

I'm quite tempted to let him get on with it and if it doesn't work out then he'll have to deal with the consequences. I'm assuming that if results are bad after the first year he could always restart on a different course.

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Original poster
PSLK · 29/08/2023 19:31

Any other thoughts greatly appreciated!

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