Can anyone advise re these points for Uni entry ??x

[fakeblondie]

We are getting a little confused by points etc regarding our daughter and wonder if anyone could clarify the following for us please.

The course she wants to apply for is the teacher training (general primary ).
She is currently taking
Science A level.(aiming for a C 80 pts )
Sociology A level (aiming for a C 8opts )
Welch Bacc (aiming for 120pts)
Diploma in Dance - aiming for a merit (80 pts )

She is retaking her maths GCSE to bring her hopefully up to a C

Has GCSE passes at C and above in science and engiush.

They ask for 220 / 240 points but 200 points at A level - so would her Welsh Bacc / Diploma count as if not she can only really get 160 at A level ,but i think Welsh Bacc counts as an A level if they accept it which her chosen Uni does ??
She is desperate to take this course but does struggle academically- and we`re not entirely sure she can even apply ?
I dont want her her hopes shatterred but she has said she will do a 3rd year at 6th form if required to gain more points??

I can't answer your question re UCAS points, but I am concerned that you say she struggles academically and yet is hoping to get onto a primary education degree? Also, what science is she taking at A level, or is it a general science course? I must admit, i did not realise that such a thing existed.

I am not a teacher, but do work in a school. I know that all our newly qualified teachers say how hard it is to get through the actual teaching qualification, and these are people who already have their degrees!

it is also becoming quite difficult to even get onto a teaching course, since so many people now are seeing it as a fairly safe, steady job due to the recession.

has she spoken to her teachers at school/college? They would be best placed to advise her on all aspects of this, I would think.

Welsh Bac does count and so do Diplomas.
Teaching is very academic and if she is struggling this probably is not the course for her. DD1 has recently dome her PGCE and is now doing her NQT year. She is teaching science at a secondary school. She says she is finding teaching full time quite exhausting but is enjoying it. She also says it's hard work and this is a young persom who got a first in her degree and did well in her PGCE.

shes doing science a level - its new.
massive amount of pressure from my parents - think i need to vent on another topic !!

she does actually want this and is a very hard worker having been told shed never gain a single gcse pass to eventually passing 8 grade c and above .

i dont know i`m at a loss

Oh ,don't be at a loss - sounds like she's done really well ,has worked really hard .
It's very young to decide on a career .
Can she just keep her options option ?
Do you know what attracts her to teaching ?
Which elements ,IYSWIM ?
Is it contact with young children ?
Are there alternative careers with similar attributes which are less competitive to get into in - early years/preschool ,nursery nurse ?
( no offence to people working in that demanding and underpaid area )

Teaching involves a lot of paperwork, most of which you have to create for yourself. So when you say she struggles academically, what exactly do you mean?
The other worry is that for the last few years, unless you have at least a 2:1 degree, you are unlikely to get a job.

Shes always wanted to reach primary . When i say struggles she passed 8 gcse`s including enlish lang and eng lit both a b grade but retaking her maths for the 3rd or maybe 4th time next month-gone from a e to a d to 2 marks off a c !

She already teaches dance in all the lacal primary shools and seems to cope with lesson planning etc quite well .

It's good that she teaches dance at primary schools and is able to lesson plan. But lesson planning for that will be very diffeent from a full time teachers lesson planning, Then she'll also have to do marking which can be a job and a half initself.
But saying that if she really wants to be a Primary Teacher then let her have a go and try hard to get the A lvels she neds. But tell her not to be disapointed if she can't do it.
DD1 origannly wanted to be a Vet but couldn't get into any og the Vet Schools only 6 universities in Britain do the Vet courses.
She did her second choice of Zoology .really loved it and got on very well.