Confused by how to approach 16+ options

[lokijet]

My son is looking at A level options but his chosen subject (physics) at his school requires a min grade 7 in both physics and maths - this is possible but definitely not certain

im therefore assuming we need a plan B (and possibly plan C)

i Think there could be alternatives at his current school but should I also be applying to colleges in case he dies far worse or do you wait and see how GCSEs go then find something if you don’t make the grade

anyone any experience - I’m in Harrogate if that makes a difference

Yes apply for as many as you can.

Yes all 3 of mine had backup plans. So one was a level 3 btec. But level 2 if didn't pass English to required level (is dyslexic so was a real possibility).
Dc2 and 3 applied to the sixth-form at school they attended and a back up of college sixth-form who wanted lower grades.
My advice would be alevels are not better than other qualifications. If you think they're just going to scrape in it might not be the option for them as they could struggle alot. Better to find something that's within reach and do well than choose something that is a struggle and do mediocre. Dc 1 still went to university it didn't set them back.
Look at how dc learns, how they do in exams compared to assessments, what they want to do in the future and work backwards.
I will say dc is doing physics alevel and got an 8 but is struggling and now realises why school said need 7/7 in physics and maths. If doing alevels look at combinations physics often needs maths alongside. If ds wants to study a science at uni he'll most likely need two science/maths subjects.

Yes I would look for backup plans for sure.

It’s reasonable tbf to ask for a 7 in maths and physics for physics A level. Usually maths A level is done with physics anyway, and there are numerous threads about why it's best to have a min 7 for A level maths.

Take a look at local colleges (as a lot of schools IME offer only A levels) and see if there are Btec or similar options that are of interest. Probably not physics specifically, but for example a friend's DD took engineering at college post 16 and ended up with an apprenticeship at 18 and a good job going forward.

I agree with @Roleonspring A levels are not for everyone. They are great qualifications for sure, but not all students will do well. In general 6 and above is needed and for some subjects (science, maths, MFL) a 7 is better. Btecs can for sure lead to university if that is or might be the aim.

Thanks he was getting 6-9s. Now getting 4-6 so want to explore all options as well as supporting him to shoot for the best grade

The good thing about 16+ (compared to 11+) is that you can have lots of parallel options and you don't need to decide or rank them in order or anything. So it's a good idea to apply for several different routes and see how the results go.

I absolutely agree with those above. Have plans A, B & C.

Every year there are parents here on results day who only had a plan A and their DC are scrabbling around amid the disappointment of results to work out the 6th form/college and course.

So for you:
Plan A: Maths & Physics & 1 more a level at current school.
Plan B1&2: Other A levels at same/different location
Plan C: Level 3 T-Level / BTECs
(Plan D: The same vocational course but at level 2, but you shouldn't need this provided he passes maths & Engl Lang and Plan C will default to that anyway)

Watch out for application deadlines!

My DS got 4-6 in his GCSEs last summer. He’s doing a BTEC level 3 extended diploma. So far it’s been great and he’s doing really well. He would have struggled with A levels so I think this has been the right choice for him. English Lang was a bit touch and go for him, but if he’d failed, college would have put him on the equivalent level 2 course plus an English resit. Fortunately he passed, but it was reassuring to know he had a back up plan.

@lokijet Can I also suggest another plan? Look at why he is "only" getting the grades he is. When they sit the papers they should go over them in class and write in the bits they were missing to get the full mark. That way they know what they should have written. Every paper starts with a 0 they gain marks. If they cannot bring home the paper then ask can they take photos of them so you can both see what he wrote. Is there a pattern to it? This is from years ago but may help.

They system is called MARCKS and is not mine but my children both got 9s in physics using this to focus on why they didn't get full marks on a question, You write one of the above letters next to each question they didn't get full marks for and see if there is a pattern.

Maths error
Did you make a mistake in your maths?
Application of knowledge
You know and understand the content but couldn’t apply it to foreign situation/this question
Read the question
Did you miss a key term such as explain rather than describe because of how you interpreted the question but ultimately you have the knowledge and understand the topic
Communication
You understood the application but the wording you used to communicate didn’t get the marks. Could be specific terminology especially in biology
Knowledge
Is your knowledge weak? Do you understand the concept?
Statements
If it’s 4 marks but you wrote 2 points and you can see that even though you filled all the lines you were lacking in points

Work out how many of each error you have using a 5 bar gate ie
M ll A lll R l C llll K l S ll
Make a plan as to what you will do to address this. Teachers are usually happy to help willing students.

For maths it is just doing maths daily, small amounts, usually there is an app or system the school are using and he can work his way through that. At my child's sixth form if you were doing physics but not maths A level you had to take Core Maths which straddles GCSE/A level.

Don't let him be disheartened. He has time to bring his grades up if he wants it. My own child went from a 4 at this point in year 11 to an 8 and was actually one mark of a 9 in a subject he hated. Luckily your son likes his subject.

I agree that BTECs are brilliant so definitely look into alternatives.