Has anyone’s dc dropped out of A levels and if so, what did they do

[Thedogswhiskers]

Dd is so behind in holiday reading for history plus homework and art. She has poor mental health and finding it very hard to knuckle down. She is bright but doesn’t enjoy school as very lonely (autistic too) and commute. I can’t see her lasting the year but she would be upset if she didn’t complete history and fear her self esteem would sink further. School very supportive but it doesn’t seem to be enough. Please help us make the decision what to do at this late stage?

My eldest dropped out after year one of A Levels and switched to a level 3 BTEC in Engineering. He got a distinction in that and got into Bath University to study electrical engineering but decided last minute to apply for an apprenticeship with an engineering firm instead. He was successful in that and now has a very good job with that firm 5 years later.

I’m sorry to hear your daughter is struggling with her mental health. I’m not sure what the options for Art would be but are there any art based apprenticeships or vocational courses she could consider? For my son he enjoyed the more vocational aspects of the BTEC.

Yes

dc got glandular fever and then post viral fatigue.

spent a couple of years being ill and then did a part time catering course (to build up her hours) and then an access course.

access courses are funded if you are over 19 abd don’t have a level 3 qualification.

Thank you for your positive ending stories. I’m worried it’s too late to switch to a btech or other type of course and if she would cope with the change anyway. Interesting about access courses, I didn’t realise that. Is there an upper age limit? In the process of applying for EHCP

One of mine dropped out of A levels and has regretted it forever. He went out to work FT at 17. He has found a lot of doors shut, which would have been open with A levels, and seen peers that weren't as clever get on and establish decent careers. He is mid 30s now so he feels like he has missed the boat.

My DPs daughter dropped out after about 6/8 months and then switched to a BTEC. Absolutely the best thing for her, she didnt get on with exams and much better with coursework. She did really well and has gone on to a degree apprenticeship. She's really thrived in that environment and would not have done so at A level/uni

Not dropped out but decided to go to college rather than school this was despite getting 12+ GCSE’s grade C’s and above. One DD is now a cognitive behavioural therapist with a lucrative private practice and the other is a senior OT in acute medicine. They did grand!