Resitting Chemistry A Level - options

[pinkpinkeverywhere]

Hi, my daughter has decided to retake her Chemistry A Level as she didn't achieve the required grade and there is are no options for her course in Clearing that she's interested in.
School have said she can retake the exam there as a private candidate but we now need to consider how to retake it.
There are lots of online courses and I wondered if anyone had used any that they would recommend.
Thanks

I did chemistry a level in my 20s as a private candidate at my old high school. I looked at local colleges but they wouldn't take me & I needed somewhere to do the practicals.
I did self study tho so cant recommend a specific course, sat the exams with the rest of the school year, paying a nominal fee to the school to do so

Adult education places sometimes offer A levels. The only thing I would say is check the course accept retakes or grades achieved in more than one sitting. One of ds friends resat A level maths (to get the A*) and only discovered later that his courses didn’t accept resits. He’s still on excellent course now but could have gone with his original grades and his mum hinted he regretted the extra year.

Has she considered applying grades in hand and using the gap year for something other than resitting chemistry?

Just be aware that most online courses don’t include the exam fees - you have to arrange and pay for these separately

Has she spoken to the uni on the phone to explain what’s happened? When my daughter didn’t get the expected grades, she had the usual rejection email from the uni - it was automated. She called them and explained and they lowered her offer that afternoon and she was offered, and accepted the place. Unis want bums on seats so this would be my suggestion.

What grade did she get and what does she need? A solid plan for how she will cover the work is essential as most people who sit it again rarely do better without some teaching, a good plan, or exceptional circumstances causing the issue the first time around.

Have you looked at Uplearn? She's covered the content so it should just be a case of focussing on weak areas (and lots of past paper style questions).

For A-level Chemistry, it's really essential to understand the structure and bonding section that is taught at the start of the course. This is foundational content for the entire course, so if this material isn't solid students will struggle.

Can the practical element be carried over from this year? Make sure you've got a plan for that as well as the exam at the end.

There is a range of information in the UK Exams and alternatives face book group which home educators use. The practical part will need to be signed off which is expensive if school can’t help or carry over. Southwestsciences do an online course but you need to know what exam board she can sit at her school as different boards do vary.

You can carry forward science practicals (in England at least) even if you change exam board. For example for AQA:
www.aqa.org.uk/exams-administration/coursework-controlled-assessment-nea/carry-forward-of-marks

Hi everyone, thank you for the responses and apologies for the delay in replying. To answer questions:
Yes we've drawn up a new list of uni's who offer her course and are checking their resit policy.
She achieved a C although was predicted an A and achieving that grade during the year.
We're struggling to find anywhere really that doesn't need at least a B in Chemistry. It would really reduce her options and although she'll apply to somewhere that will accept her current grades, she'd like to apply to somewhere more aspirational too.
She'll do the resit at school and we'll pay the fees. Just need to check if we can carry forward the practical or if we need to arrange to do that again.
Her firm and insurance are both full with no clearing places, I think the C in Chemistry was the issue. She didn't ring but did ring others in clearing the Chemistry grade was the issue even with all 3 sciences at 9's at GCSE.
@youhavenoidea6 that's really interesting, I'll mention that to her. I've been reading about Uplearn and was hoping someone would have some feedback on it.
Thanks again everyone.

@Mariamerryweather123 thank you for that, that's really good news.

My daughter used uplearn you can try the free version to see if the style of learning works for your daughter then it’s £69 a month for full access. Cheaper than a foundation year at university was our thoughts as we couldn’t find a tutor in person at the time she pulled her grade up by one.

Thanks @DreamingofRain2 I think it’s worth a go. She’s bright but will need to apply herself, I suppose we’ll see how committed she is to her chosen career path!

My DD got a B but needed an A - she was able to carry her practical over and she gained employment for a year helping at her former school tutoring A level sciences ( Covid catch-up). She is now doing medicine and tutoring science on the side ( did the resit got an A star).
you could always look for a uni student to do some tutoring. My daughter does on line or in person.
when DD looked a few colleges did a year course which she could have gone to.
good luck - it’s horrible watching them be so downhearted but the year out and resit was actually beneficial in the end .

Thank you @unhappybutunsureofwork that's the kind of resit story I need to hear! Well done to her. I think as long as she gets a B she'll be ok for a place. I'll have a look for local colleges too, I didn't realise some did a years course.

Uplearn is quite good but I would warn against using it as a sole, or even main, source. It should be a complement to other forms of learning: text book, seminars, youtube videos (there are some good ones).

Thanks @BennyBee. She has her notes from school but I'll mention youtube, although I'm sure being 18 that this is probably top of her list! I have looked for a college with a 1 year course but can't find anything other than private schools at £35k a year!

I'd really recommend an online tutor who has a French name beginning with M on Spires Online Tutoring. Dd went up two grades with her help. She is very well qualified.