Bouncing back from poor GCSEs - in praise of BTEC (edited by MNHQ at request of OP)

[Passingthrough123]

I’m sharing this as a message of encouragement/hope for any parents with DC about to take GCSEs who are struggling academically and are worried about next steps and think A-Levels might be too much for them.

That was my DD16 this time last year. She had major anxiety (needed CAMHs referral for therapy in end) and her mock grades were low. We knew A-Levels might finish her off so after coming on MN for advice, we looked at a BTEC in animal management because ultimately she wants to work with animals.

Her GCSEs were even worse than we feared. She only passed 3 above grade 4 and the rest were 3. We were so upset for her but hid our disappointment and tried to stay positive - we knew how much she’d struggled sitting so many exams and a practical qualification in a subject she loved might be a better fit. But it was so hard seeing all her peers get decent grades and head off to sixth form. It was hard not to think that we had failed as parents too.

Then there was a slight setback on college enrolment day. Because she hadn’t got a science at grade 4, she’d have to start at Level 2, where she could learn animal biology. It would be a one-year course that, should she do well, would get her to Level 3.

Yesterday our girl came through the front door looking the happiest I’ve ever seen her coming home from a day’s learning. She’d sat a mock test last week and found out she got 98%! She hasn’t scored so highly since primary. She was also told she’s on track to pass her course with Distinction, meaning she’ll have the equivalent of four more GCSEs at grades 7/8 as far as employers are concerned. She loves the practical elements of BTEC, including sorting out her own work experience, and finds the written work more than manageable.

It’s like having a different child, frankly. And the stress and worry that we carried while she struggled at secondary school is finally ebbing away. So if you’re a parent reading this worrying that your DC isn’t going to do well enough to take A-levels, please know there is another path. I only found out about BTECs from coming on MN so this is me paying it forward.
(Edited by MNHQ at request of OP)

That’s great to hear and well done to your dd on her mock results. Ds2 stayed on to sixth form but wasn’t really academic. He was advised to take BTechs. He did well then went to university where to the amazement of us all he was awarded a 2:1. He’s a product manager for an extremely well-known company now. I think BTechs are underestimated but they do take the pressure off having to study for A levels x

I love success stories like your son’s! I do think people don’t realise that BTECHs are still a pathway to uni if that’s what their DC want to do. More and more unis are accepting them. We are keeping open minded about whether our DD goes - right now she would rather try for an apprenticeship.

University isn’t for everyone. Ds didn’t enjoy it to be honest. Apprenticeships are brilliant. I think as long as kids are engaged and ambitious and have a friendship group that are like-minded then anything is possible x

Well done to your dd thats a great result and obviously shows her effort.
Dc1 did a level two btec, then the level 3. Last year did a foundation degree (all in a practical subject) while working (paid for by work) and bought own house. In y11 I could never have imagined that dc would even leave home never mind go to university.
Im a big believer in dc finding the right path for them (and not forcing them to do what is expected).
Dc1 has done things in their own time (much slower than peers) but has done whats right for them and more importantly is happy.
Good luck to your dd I hope she continues to be happy and progress.

Sorry to be a pedant but it is BTEC, Btech is an Indian qualification.

Yet another thing that progress 8 got rid of, BTEC in schools.

My DD is applying for a BTEC and an A Level in a subject she loves and wants to do at University. The BTEC looks like a brilliant course and she knows loads of people who have done it and gone on to do well.

Wow, your DC hasn’t just thrived taking the BTECs path, they’ve soared! And yes, I think there’s a lot to be said for taking a step back as parents and not forcing them to do what’s expected. The irony for DD is that when she was applying to college, a teacher at her school said she should be thinking about A-Levels and they’d help her with the application if we, her parents, wouldn’t, inferring that she was making a mistake. She had to pop back to her old school to collect her exam certificate and bumped into that teacher. After hearing how well she’s doing, the teacher said she should come and talk to Y10s about BTECs as an alternative - as though it was the first time it had occurred to her that not every kid can or should be taking A-Levels!

Missing point of thread, but hey ho!

One of my DCs started A levels but found it really challenging, left college and did a BTEC, went to university, got a degree and is now earning over £100k in the finance sector.

Love hearing all these positive outcomes! I hope it helps other parents worried about how their DC will do if they don’t take A-Levels.

Lv2 BTEC does count towards Progress 8.
My DDs school encourages pupils to do one BREC alongside "traditional" subjects and its fantastic. DD is actually doing Animal care, on track for Distinction next year, alongside Spanish, Geography and Triple Science. The breathing space it gives her is fantastic. For others, a subject they are good at while struggling with English, Maths etc is brilliant.
(Animal Care and Construction being the most popular).

I think all Comprehensives should be offering Vocational options at 14.

How brilliant of your DD’s school to offer Level 2 alongside GCSEs. Are you in England?

Its just a normal local comprehensive in Yorkshire. And the highest achieving in the district. (On Progress 8 and Attainment 8).

Thanks so much @Passingthrough123 - can I ask, is the Animal Management at Capel Manor? (you can reply by PM if you'd rather).

DS is in Y10 has ADHD and is bright but August born and also struggles with longform writing and organisation so it's very hard to tell how he's going to do in GCSEs. He doesn't make steady progress - sometimes things get better but then they go downhill again.

I think likely he'll have a range of grades from low to fairly good and it might limit his 6th form choices if he doesn't have an grade 5 average or if he doesn't get 5+ in English Language. He's actually very interested in Animal Management and his cousin did the course at Capel - at the moment I think that's our 'fallback' if his grades aren't so great (he should actually do OK at science, he may be able to get a 6 or even 7).

I want to second this! My son got decent-ish GCSEs but hated exams. Took 3 BTECs, is getting Distinction, Distinction, Merit and he just been offered a job as a trainee estate agent! He would not have coped with A levels. Very pleased. The modular system of BTECs really worked for him. Well done everyone !

I'm going to PM you!

My DD is a summer born too. Her predicted grades at the start of Y10 were 4s and 5s so we knew then that A-Levels would be out of reach. She went downhill with anxiety the closer the actual exams got. There's so much pressure for them to do well from teachers and the school and because of peer talk. So a back-up plan sounds like it's definitely a good idea for your DS.

Another success story! It's so great hearing how all our DCs have thrived doing BTECs. Great profession for him to get into as well - no shortage of work!

Thanks for this OP, my daughter is out of school and is only doing three online GCSEs currently, a year behind. I worry all the time about what she's going to do next, I can only hope she finds her way as yours has done. It's difficult to find information on a different route for her, she was at a grammar and just couldn't cope with the pressure of school (anxiety and Autism) she has an EHCP so I'm grateful she's being funded currently for what she can manage, butshes so isolated, my dream would be her eventually getting to go to a physical college or somewhere she can find something she loves to do.

I really feel for your DD, and for you. It's so hard as a parent watching our bright, capable children be diminished by the pressure of education's one-size-fits-all approach. Do look into what your local colleges offer – there are so many BTECs available now that one might spark her interest enough to go to an open day.

DS' working predictions have been 5s and a couple of 6s, which is pretty good, but I think that's mainly based on classroom work, which is generally easier for him and he performs more on a par with others. Actual GCSEs, between subjects I think he could end up with 3 at one end and a 7 at the other.

(As the OP I think knows), my DD has done Animal Care BTECs (at level 1 then level 2). What is fab about BTECs at the right level is that students can go from struggling at GCSE to thriving at college as they are finally asked to do things that are within reach for them, with a nice chunk of practical learning alongside.``

I always think it a shame when kids do A levels 'because they don't want to move school' or 'because their friends are doing A levels' or 'because their parents think they should' when actually they will struggle with A levels but could fly with BTECs/T-Levels.

Ah, I was hoping you would join in @TeenToTwenties! I was on the other thread (different user name for this one) and you always share such good advice. I agree about kids thinking it’s better to stay on at school to do A-Levels with their mates. Sometimes it geographically makes sense if there is no college local to them but it’s always worth trying further afield for BTEC. As you say, it could be the difference between them struggling and soaring.

If you're sorry, then why say it at all. Did you know what the OP meant? Yes. Get a life.

What a lovely thread! So pleased for your DD. My DC is in Y11 and wants to do 2 A Levels and a BTEC. They’re academic-ish but are just going for the subjects they love and are interested in. I now feel even more encouraged that this is a great choice 😊 Great to read positive stories.

100% agree. My daughter did two level three BTECs and an A Level that we had to go through the appeal process for her to be able to do as her predicted English grade went from a 6 to a 4.
She got Ds for both the BTECs and a C for her A Level. She's got 4 top tier university unconditional offers (Durham, Bath, York & Exeter) on her gap year and we are so super proud of her.
My son is doing a level 2 BTEC sports award, he's found rugby and it turns out it's his thing, he has to be on death's door to not turn up to a match. My mind still blown he gets up earlier on a Sunday for rugby whilst moaning about getting up for school on a monday morning. We have a super exciting weekend next weekend watching the under 20's six nations match and he's also in a match on Sunday