Year 13 DC failing an A level - what to do?

[Claymorekick]

DC is taking 3 A levels - 2 he is doing ok (expected grades of B/C). However, his third subject he is failing - scraping D or E's in the assessments and even getting the odd U. He hates the subject, finds it really difficult and understandably is quite unmotivated.

He chose the subject initially as it fitted with his career aspirations and would help with his degree choices even though he didn't particularly enjoy it at GCSE. In hindsight, a bad decision but we are where we are now.

However, we are now at the point where he is unlikely to be able to do a degree with 2 A levels so think he is going to take a year out and work whilst we assess what his options are.

His subject tutor is providing extra support for him which he is engaging with (as far as a slightly lazy 17 year old will) but I suspect, best case scenario, this will only get him to a maximum of a D grade.

Any advice? I suppose my dilemma is does he spend time on this subject that would be better spent on the other 2 subjects to help get good grades in those? If he fails it, what would his options be?

Really wish we had pulled him from this subject in early year 12 and switched to something else 😕

Hi OP I am sorry to hear this. Can you share what the subject is – there are quite a few subject specialists on these boards who may be able to give some targeted ideas of how he can improve.

But if he gains BCD, university is certainly not closed to him. I have quoted this before but my DD got BCC (well under predicted fwiw) and got to a great uni where she got an excellent degree. What is he thinking of studying at uni? Of course he doesn’t have to go to uni – it’s not for everyone and a job/apprenticeship may be better than a degree he’s not fussed about at a less popular uni. It does depend a bit on how keen he is and what he wants to study there.

Thank you for the reply. It is Biology.

He wants to do a Sports Science degree and we understand that jobs in that field pretty much require a degree (not really an apprenticeship career) so that is still the aim. However, he needs to be clear that he would put the effort in if he went to university otherwise he is just pissing money away and getting in debt for no reason if he fails 🤷‍♀️

There are apprenticeships in sports science so he could look. He will just be on a slower route to a degree if he goes in with 2 A levels and doesn’t get a degree apprenticeship. I’m sorry to say that sports science without Biology is not going to be easy. Therefore, has he considered doing another A level in a third year of 6th form and taking one he might do well in?

Does he have to do this degree or career? Has he considered what else he could do? If not Biology, what are his strengths?

Has he considered Sport Coaching as a course?

Sports science is a very academic and dry subject, sports coaching is less dry.

If he's struggling with biology now, why does he want to do Sports Science for a degree? Do really consider if signing up for three more years of anatomical / physiological / biomechanical content is wise.

You'll need to scrutinise the degree content very carefully at different universities to make sure he chooses one which does serve his interests.

Has he applied or had offers yet? A D in Bio isn't the end of the world and won't rule out a Sports Science degree - certainly won't get him into L'borough but there are other options, including a foundation year: https://www.kingston.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/sport-science/ or https://www1.chester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/sport-and-exercise-sciences?mode=393-32772

He wants to do Sports Science as he really really wants to work in that field. The main issue with Biology A level seems to be that it is limited in human biology which he does enjoy. I feel that Sports Science degrees are not going to teach plant biology 🤣

@TizerorFizz I haven't seen any sports science apprenticeships so no idea where they are or how to find out about them? Could he also do an A level in one year - would it not need to be a further 2 years at 6th form college?

In reality, a D grade is definitely best case scenario but probably unlikely...I suspect an E is probably more realistic.

@titchy no, he hasn't applied yet - mainly because he seems to want to take a year out and earn some money which I fully support although appreciate it could well result in him not going to uni in the end.

But isn't it still covering the same foundational scientific principles and knowledge that he'll need to be competent and confident with to succeed on the degree course that asks for it as an entry requirement?

It would be better to accept at Alevel stage that the dream career path isn't actually viable for your strengths and rethink before ending up in debt and depressed trying to do a degree that's not the right fit.

What else has he explored?

I'm sorry to inform you OP, but having done a sports science degree, he will not be restricted to human biology in first year as the specialty in SSci will come in the later years. In Scotland the first two years were general biology and chem, degree year SSci, and honors year was specialty year. Might be too soon the be laughing as if he can't pass the A level, he'll struggle with first year.

@thatwassociopathic the courses we have looked at do not seem to follow what you did but guess it differs between universities. He seems to be veering more towards the psychology aspects of sports science rather than the physical.

Our local uni does a 4 year course with a foundation year and only requires 64 UCAS points so there is potential that he could do that, live at home and if it isn't for him after the first year, he has only lost the tuition fees. However, he wants the full uni experience which that isn't going to give him but it would appear something is going to have to be sacrificed in this situation.

School should inform him where to search for apprenticeships or the apprenticeship guide.co.uk is a start. Some colleges offer a 1 year A level.

Could he repeat y13 at school? Maybe do a psychology degree? Certainly review career options.

He could transfer from the local foundation year to another uni?

Think the poster who suggested Sports Science apprenticeship is very optimistic as I’ve not ever seen any but look at UCAS Apprenticeships , National Apprenticeship Service website , Notgoingtouni or BASES ( Brit Assoc of Sports and Exercise Scientists) to see if any come up. But think Foundation Year an option at 18 or take a year out after A Levels and do an Access course when 19 then go to uni

Do you know how hard it is to get into a decent uni to study psychology? Along with economics and law it is one of the most competitive courses

Hi OP I agree with those that say that a sports science degree might not be ideal for someone who doesn't enjoy or is not good at biology. If he took biology despite not liking it in order to do sports science, that's a bit like a friend's daughter who "wanted to be a doctor" so felt that "she had better take biology" - I thought at the time that this was the wrong way round (better is "I like biology, ooh I could be a doctor" IYSWIM).

You say he wants to do sport science and that jobs in the field require a degree - again, it would be good to look ahead. What job does he want to do? There's not a whole heap of jobs that are led to by a degree in sport science, and those that there are will be very competitive.

Is there another way into his chosen field? Or is it actually the right field?

Swansea uni for example (a friend's lad is there doing this course and got BBC/BCC at A level IIRC) recommends science A levels inc PE and psychology. If those subjects are favoured, chances are the course content links to them.

There are unis of course that do not specify subjects, but you and your DS would need to look carefully at the modules and what was studied to make sure it was appropriate.

What are his other A levels? I assume PE?

@zoomiboomie Psychology is offered just about everywhere. Anglia Ruskin want 105 points from a minimum of 2 A levels. So for 3, BCC might suffice at a push. Hardly the most competitive course. You could see what Bucks New want: ranked 118. I do think it’s a push but it’s possible. With a foundation it’s definitely possible. Psychology isn’t that difficult to get into at lower ranking unis. If you had said medicine or vet science, I might have agreed with you. A basic psychology degree is popular but doesn’t require stellar grades at some unis, and definitely isn’t that competitive.

Get him a tutor

@Claymorekick This is sports science at my local university. Probably not the same as yours so only 2 A levels needed and foundation available. It has a 96% employment stat. What would be wrong with getting a tutor and looking at lower tariff unis? Or foundation years? He can still go away to university. I suspect not a great student experience at this one but many others are available at this level I would think.

Bet and medicine are not offered at low ranking unis though. And tbf everything is easy to get into at low ranking unis so may as well go for SS

I know you are trying to be constructive and helpful but there is little benefit to going to the lowest ranking universities just to get a degree. Employment may indeed be good but WHAT employment? Quite possibly the vast majority will be in jobs that didn't require a degree and coming out with thousands in debt with a degree if little value and a poor student experience is not a solution.

I think apprenticeships, re thinking what jobs are out there that are affiliated with SS that don't require a degree, taking a year out and resitting may all be better options.

All is not lost.

My daughter is currently applying for sports science degrees. Biology was her worst science at GCSE, she didn't enjoy any of the pant based stuff etc and she didn't take any sciences at A level, instead she took all arts subjects and trained as a dancer.

At a recent open day she spoke to tutors at one university who offer a foundation year. This is for those who don't have enough UCAS points or have the wrong A levels as my daughter does. They told her the foundation year will teach her all the science she needs for the degree but unlike A levels it will be geared specifically towards sports science.

Yes, the likes of Loughborough and Bath won't touch her but LJM, Cardiff Met & Man Met all have a great reputation for sports science and good graduate outcomes.

When he is looking at courses by the way, make sure to choose an accredited course (BASES for sport & excercise science, BPS for sports psychology etc)