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)

I'm so pleased! BTECs also give children the opportunity to follow a passion rather than general subjects. So keep an eye on what they really love to do – there's bound to be a course that fits.

This is such a fabulous success story, thanks for sharing. Well done your son on winning the industry award too! You must be so proud – and far less stressed, yes? There's a saying that parents are only as happy as their unhappiest child and it wasn't until DD finished her GCSEs and started flying at college that I realised that I'd spent the last three years or so living in a bubble of constant worry and stress.

My DD loves the work experience too. She's spending the Easter holidays working at a zoo and she's SO excited.

Wonderful thread. Thanks for sharing everyone and well done to your daughter OP. As a mum with a 15 year it's so nice to hear of teens finding their own way and succeeding!

Frankly, the two years leading up to gcse's was awful as we knew DS struggled with academic subjects so it was a relief when his grades were good enough to get on the course he wanted.

Conversely, 13 yr old DD is very academically driven so I expect it will be A levels with her although anything could change in the next few years.

It's not one size fits all and frankly, with the job market as it is at the moment gaining a more hands on qualification is probably a good option.

Best of luck to your daughter!

It's not one size fits all and frankly, with the job market as it is at the moment gaining a more hands on qualification is probably a good option.

I agree 100% with both these statements @Sallycinnamum. The one-size-fits-all secondary school system is so damaging for so many DC – that's why it's been such a relief to be out of it. And yes, by the time my DD finishes Level 3, she'll have logged over 300 hours of work experience, so much more than she'd have done sitting A-Levels. Should put her in a strong position for work.

Exactly. Plus they are 5 days instead of the 3 that BTECs and A levels are. Lots of our students have to work and that’s pretty difficult on T level.

I didn’t see the point in asking employers what they wanted as they expect someone to hit the ground running and that’s impossible at any stage imo. There’s always a learning curve.

I cannot thank you enough for writing this thread. I am almost in tears reading it.
we are having a terrible time with DS, now year 11. Attendance is terrible, mocks nowhere near what he can achieve, didnt write half the English paper. We suspect adhd/ Asd however no formal diagnosis - has been brewing but all now boiled over. The stress and knock on effect on the whole household has been enough to have me in tears regularly.
i tried to take him to a FE college open day but of course he wouldn’t go, I am hoping that with actual results he will be open to the fact there is another way, sadly at the moment he self confidence qnd self esteem is rock bottom. Am hoping we make it through to the point of alll of you in this thread, where he will find a way and I can look back and say we got through it…

My lovely boy is doing a Btec at sixth form. He’s a bright kid but exams just aren’t his thing so a levels wouldn’t have reflected his true capability.

He’s on course for v good grades, has offers from all 5 of his uni choices and is actually hoping to get an even better uni in clearing.

I love a BTEC!

Sending you a huge hug – so many of us have been where you are now. It's so stressful to watch our DC struggle with exams that we are told over and over are the be all and end all. While I can't promise you the stress will ease between now and exams season, I hope that knowing there is an alternative path for him will help you manage it.

If he remains resistant to going to open days, one thing you could do is try to engage in positive discussion about the kind of courses that are available. Does he have any hobbies/passions now that could translate into a future career? If so, there's bound to be a related course that might interest him. Doing the research will also help you stay optimistic about what happens after results day. At some point he will be ready to discuss next steps.

Before I first read about BTECs on MN, I thought uni would be out of reach for our DD if she didn't do A-Levels. It's brilliant how many unis accept them now. Well done to your boy for getting so many great offers!

Great to hear all the positive experiences!
I hope the government don't do away with them ☹️

The latest is that the Govt is to delay defunding them because of the backlash. Colleges and campaigners have rightly said it's a waste of time and funding to replace something that already works. So I'm fairly confident the Govt will back off.

I hope so! Someone should send them this thread

Thank you!! And actually I did the same Btec myself (many years ago!). Ended up at uni and then had a great career in finance too. Honestly they’re such a great option.

I think I'm going to send it to my MP.

My DS got similar GCSE results and also went to college for a vocational course. He’s done so well and now has a job in his chosen field. He found school so hard and never quite kept up, so to go to college with course work instead of exams and practical application was amazing for him. I do think A levels aren’t for everyone and college options are looked down on unfairly. Courses are often work orientated and if picked correctly can lead to university. Class sizes for DS have also been small, 12 in a class so they really get to know the students and support them in their learning.

I wanted to add two more success updates: my son who is 17 and has just done three BTECs has just landed a job as a full-time trainee estate agent. He is over the moon!! And his best friend who also did three BTECs has received offers from all the unis he applied for, top choice Nottingham Trent. Great news all round!

Apologies for not replying to this sooner! Such fantastic news for your son, you must be so proud! And great for his friend too. In fact, this is the perfect example of why BTECs suit everyone - those who want to start their career earlier and those who want to go to uni. 👏

Well done to them both.

Great news to wake up to – the Govt is pausing its plan to defund the vast majority of BTECs and is only introducing a few V Levels from this September now. In fact, the rollout looks set to be so gradual I wouldn't be surprised if it's quietly shelved in a year or so – college associations and unions said BTECs are already doing a great job of giving students a vocational option and didn't need replacing at huge cost and it looks like the Govt listened for once.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz6e7004dj9o

@Passingthrough123that's made my day! My son starts in 2027 and things were so uncertain

@Passingthrough123i hope the digital btecs will sit alongside v levels for a few years

It's been horrible waiting to hear where the axe might fall. I'm so glad the Govt has listened to sense – you can't just scrap a load of qualifications and give colleges just six months to prepare for bringing in new ones, which was the original proposal - rollout to start this Sept.

In response to your other comment about doing them alongside, I imagine that will be the case. At my DD's college, there's a T Level course in Animal Care that runs alongside the BTEC one she's on.

I also don't recognise the snobbery the Govt claims there is around BTECs. I think most people recognise they offer a vital alternative to kids who are keen to specialise in a subject that's their passion, don't want the slog of studying A-Levels or who haven't got the grades to do them.

@Passingthrough123 my son is borderline for A Levels eligibility, although may do better or worse than we think. Struggles under pressure so we had mapped out a btec pathway for him, but was really worried he would have to do a new qualification with no track record.

We had a similar concern. DD is doing Level 2 at the moment and is due to move up to Level 3 in September. Animal Care was one of the BTECs due to be defunded in the first wave, so we were really worried.