DS wants to change track completely

[abreakplease]

Hoping someone can offer some advice on how to manage this. DS17 has been doing a BTEC Level 2 for a year after his GCSEs. He got a Merit and seemed to be happy enough to move to Level 3 next week, but over summer had a complete change of heart.

It is quite a niche area - Animal Management - and he says he now wants to keep his options as wide open as possible as he really has no idea what he wants to do. He is keen to do something like Sociology, Geography - Humanities subjects which are A level.

His GCSE results were 4s and 5s so not great, hence taking a year at Level 2 to step back a bit. He has an EHCP for autism and processing issues, so learning isn't easy. Again why something hands on and vocational SEEMED like the answer.

I am going to call the LA on Monday about how to go about it, and I absolutely know that he will find Level 3 at A level or BTEC hard, but he wants to do it. Anyone been in the same boat, or know if we have a hope in hell of getting into a sixth form college at this point?

I’d encourage him him to go for it, I hope he enjoys it and goes on to study even more - good luck x

Agree, go for it. Possibly a btec would work better if he has coped with level 2 rather than exam structure of A levels. Our local college is doing enrolments next week so not too late and there will be people on hand to talk through options.

Level 3 is level 3, so he will be fine at A levels with the right support. My DD’s 6th form was excellent for SEN provision. Go ahead and start touring/visiting some. If he can meet the teachers for the A levels he would take that would be fab.

Even highly competitive Universities also take 2 A levels + 1 level 3 BTEC- it all goes by UCAS pts so he may be able to leverage the learning he has done to date. https://unicrossblog.com/universities-in-the-uk-that-accept-btec-qualifications/

He can look at the career he wants, and then look at degree courses and then back from there to the A levels. There are lots of ideal hands on jobs that require a degree from archaeologist to wildlife conservation for a large national park.

What lovely positive replies thank you! Made me a bit teary to be honest, I was feeling very pessimistic, that it was setting him up to fail to try A levels with his learning issues. The issue with BTECs is that the ones round here at least are pretty focused on sport/media/computing, etc whereas he wants something broad but I will encourage him to maybe think about 1 BTEC alongside a couple of Humanities A Levels. Thank you!

Having a BTECH in, say, computing, alongside a couple of academic subjects, especially if he can find something he's really keen on, would help to set him up for work experience and/or university. When I did my first Bachelor degree in the 80s, academics didn't think computer skills and the humanities and social sciences had much to do with each other. Now I'm doing my PhD in literature and anyone who isn't tech-savvy is completely lost - it's as bad as not being able to find your way round a library. I had to acquire my skills incrementally and I don't have a piece of paper to show for it, but your DS can develop and further his skills alongside his A'Levels, get a recognised qualification and it'll take him all over the place. All the best to you and him.

Thank you @Tortielady - I will frame it as skills for life alongside what he is interested in. And thank you for your best wishes, what kind replies!

Can’t offer advice as mine are tiny, but well done to your DS for gaining such confidence about his learning, being brave and putting himself out there. And to you for instilling and supporting that.

It’s hearsay, but I have been told that to get a rare as hens teeth degree apprenticeship the BTEC/ A level mix is more highly regarded compared to just A levels by employers.

Not sure if this is interesting, but worth his time to start looking for a job he’d like at the end of all the education and then he can figure out the stepping stones

https://cieem.net/i-want-to-be/how-to-become-an-eem/vocational-routes/apprenticeships/

One degree apprenticeship on offer is
”The Level 6 Environmental Practitioner Apprenticeship has also been approved. This apprenticeship is broader in that it covers a range of environmental practitioner roles, including natural environment management, and consequently the Employers Group has been supported by a number of professional bodies including CIEEM, IES, IEMA and CIWEM.
The duration of this apprenticeship will typically be 3-5 years as it effectively incorporates Levels 4 and 5 as well. The apprenticeship equates to an undergraduate environmental science / environmental management degree so candidates will be assessed for the degree award first before undertaking (if successful) their apprenticeship assessment.
This apprenticeship is currently being offered by the following universities and further information can be found on their websites:
Kingston University
University of Bolton
University of Brighton
Coventry University
University of the West of England
Keele University

3-5yrs is a good sign that you can go at a slower pace if you need to to get to the same level as a BS degree.

I'd be a bit worried myself.

4s and 5s at GCSEs
Late change of heart because he doesn't know what he wants to do
Very late in the day for consulting on EHCP.

At least with the EHCP you have spare years as you aren't constrained to 3 at 6th form level.

I think this will need careful discussion
. will he cope with the massive revision & memory load for A levels
. does he even meet the academic requirements to do those A levels
. term restarts this week, are there still spaces on courses
. will anywhere actually accept him
. if it all falls to pieces can he return to do Animal Management of a different Level 3 BTEC next academic year, what if he drops out in the first half term

However, if he doesn't have much interest in animals then Animal Management is not the best course for him. DD & I have been surprised how many on her L2 Animal Care don't seem that interested, where as I've expected her to do something animal related since infants.

If he's interested in social sciences, the WJEC Criminology Level 3 course could be a good alternative to a traditional A Level - it's assessed at 4 points during the course, so not all dependent on end exams- but bear in mind that it's current existence doesn't seem to be guanteed beyond 2028 unfortunately.

My son is doing 2 A levels and a BTEC and the BTEC is much easier.

He's completed the BTEC in 9 months with limited support and will get at least a distinction.

There is more in depth application, analysis and evaluation needed for essay type A levels than the BTEC my son is doing.

Also you can retake BTEC exams to get a better grade.

Children should think long and hard before considering A level's without high grades GCSES especially essay based subjects without high grades in English.

I would also be cautious. Not in relation to the changing direction, but in relation to A levels. I would think carefully about why GCSEs were 4s and 5s rather than higher, and if that has changed. For example, is it because DS didn't have an EHCP/had a poor EHCP but now has the appropriate support and has made great strides academically and with study skills.

With an EHCP, moving placement before the start of term is highly unlikely. You would need an early review of the EHCP. The LA may or may not agree to an early review. If they don’t, you don’t have the right of appeal, you would need to either wait for the AR or request a reassessment of need (which does have the right of appeal if the LA refused). Even if the LA agree to an early review and they agree to amend, your preferred would need to be consulted.

EHCP does make it trickier to switch, but it also means a better chance of his interests being honoured.

Definitely look at the range of "less hands on" BTECs to keep in the mix. Also maybe look at it from the other angle at look at uni courses that such BTecs would open up to him. He might be making incorrect assumptions about the differences.

Could Environment Science A level be worth considering? Or L3 Applied Science or Law Btecs. Photography A level is a popular choice at our local specialist college.

I would try to explore with him why the change of heart, eg has he set his heart on uni and believes that A levels are needed for this, or has someone said something rude to him about the BTec route? My normally quite balanced and thoughtful eldest came out with the most ridiculous, out of date assumptions about certain unis before we researched it a bit more. I would be a bit worried that he is basing this change of heart on classic, overly black and white thinking and ruling out other possibilities before he really considers them - or possibly even before he knows they exist.

With an EHCP they are valid until someone teaches 25 or gets level 3 qualifications.

So he could always do 2 A levels and then stay in and do another whilst working PT somewhere?

Also have a look at BTEC applied science is anywhere near you does it.

But as the parent of a child who had an EHCP and autism I’d go in with the attitude of what does he need to help him succeed as that’s the LAs duty to provide. That won’t influence the outcome grade but if that’s the path he wants to take he has a right to take it.

@itsgettingweird do you know what the test is for having Level 3 qualifications? If the student completes 1 or 2 A levels (or equivalent) is it a big fight to keep the EHCP to do more?

You would have to discuss with La but they should be retained until person is ready for level 4 study which is 3 levels at a pass.

Thank you

@Clompette LAs often act unlawfully with ceasing EHCPs post 16 and especially post 18. EHCPs don’t cover level 4 qualifications, but having level 3 qualifications, particularly if not equivalent of 3 A levels, doesn’t always mean it is lawful for the LA to cease the EHCP. Despite what LAs like to think, there is a lot more to be considered than academics. If the LA propose to cease to maintain, appeal. The EHCP must be maintained until the conclusion of any appeal.

Thank you @flawlessflipper, that is useful to know. Yet another battle.

Apologies for derailing @abreakplease

I really wouldn’t recommend A-levels with 4 and 5s at GCSE. That is setting him up to fail. At most schools you need at least a 6 in the subject you want to take/ a closely related subject so I think it will be a non-starter anyway.

What sort of jobs do you think he is suited for and would enjoy? Then look at the qualifications needed and see what is possible.

Thanks all, we had a slightly clearer chat last night and though he is set on leaving he will go back tomorrow until there is some sort of plan. I agree that we may not even get another college this late in the day, so I will set the ball rolling with the LA in the morning.

His mental health isn't great at the minute, he is having anxiety attacks and insomnia and seeing the GP next week. That's something that needs to be tackled before he can focus on anything to be honest. What happens to an EHCP if he ends up out of education this year (which is a possibility at this point)?

I would make sure he does some work experience/part time paid work to start to understand the world of work a bit more and maybe find something he can focus on. Have also been looking at King's Trust (formerly Prince's Trust) courses.

I do worry he will end up with no Level 3 qualifications though - he will be 19 in October 2026, is that Adult Education territory then?

He is not eligible for Adult Ed until the September after he is 19, so any course started prior to that is covered.

The EHCP can continue until 25, or 26 in some cases, so don’t panic. DS won’t be limited to the adult education offer.

Rather than out of education, I would suggest remaining in education just not in that college. The scope of what is education is wider than many realise. You could look at things like mental health support, OT, SALT, PfA, mentoring, sport/exercise, a part time course starting later in the year, a life-skills/study skills course, a specialist placement, an AP. Education via the EHCP can include things like work experience and volunteering.

If DS doesn’t do anything related to education, the LA may try to cease to maintain. If they do, appeal. The EHCP must be maintained until the conclusion of any appeal. Sadly, LAs often act unlawfully when it comes to ceasing to maintain.

Because OP’s DS has an EHCP, even when he gets to the September following his 19th birthday, he will still funded under the 16-19 funding regulations rather than the adult education rules.