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)

A very unfair system. If my child could pass some level 2 BTECs alongside GCSEs they could potentially move on to level 3 courses straightaway.

That's so positive for your DD. I have a similar story of my foster son. He got 3 grade 4's and lots of grade 3's. He went to college to study BTEC Sport. He had to start at level 2 like your dd. He absolutely loved it. He came home smiling everyday and made lots of new friends with similar interest to him. He got Merits x 2. The following year he enrolled to do BTEC Sport Level 3 x 2 but his tutor chatted to him and said why not go for the x 3. He said he'd give it a go. His tutor told him if he worked hard and didn't let himself fall behind with the relentless coursework next year he could be looking at going to uni. He came and told us but we were pleased but worried in case his tutor was being a bit optimistic. Well at BTEC level 3 he ended up getting 2 x distinctions and 1 merit. He got 4 offers for Uni. He's just finished his first year of uni and did well. He just needed a teacher to show they had absolute faith in him and he loved the practical aspects where he shone.

@HarveyLouis it also massively caters for those who have no interest in traditional academia. Btec in construction, enterprise, and others