How to do an A level outside of school?

[Innisfree]

DD wants to study Biology, Drama and Religious Studies A levels, however her (private) school have said that they won’t be running RS this year, which she is very disappointed about, as she was led to believe it would be running. One of the reasons we picked this school was for the range of subjects on offer, so it’s quite frustrating.

We’ve asked for the decision to be reversed but, if it isn’t, is there an option to do it independently? Has anyone any experience of this, alongside doing other A levels in school? I see she could do it online but I think she would miss the classroom debate aspect. We’re in Scotland so there aren’t options to study it at a local college or some such.

Frustrating for you and your DD.

Could this be an option:
https://www.nec.ac.uk/courses/religious-studies-a-level/ There is an an online chat board for each subject, which would help with the classroom issue you raise. NEC has lots of experience with under 18 students and would be happy to talk to you on the phone about how they work with pupils who are also studying A levels at school.

Thank you @IdaGlossop I will check that out!

Has anyone’s DC done a separate A level outside of school and what was the experience like?

@Innisfree glad the information is useful. I can vouch for NEC, having worked with them a few years ago in a consultancy capacity. Sorry I can't help with your second question and hope someone else can.

Observing my own DD, now at uni, and having taught online (not at NEC), I would say motivation (which your DD obviously has) and being organised, especially with time management, are both key to success.

Good luck to your DD, whatever she decides to do 😊

My son did RS A level.
Just entered him for the exam. Did Self study only.

Got an A.

Books from ebay and paid for the exam to be sat.

Well done him, what study materials did he use? Was he doing other A levels at school and how did he find the balance?

I wanted to do a mix of academic and arts subjects and my school said I couldn’t due to timetabling. I did maths at a different school a few miles away. (The other school had a pupil that wanted to do RE which they didn’t offer so it was a straight swap.)

Are there any church schools nearby that might offer it?

My dd is doing AS French at hone with an online tutor as her school weren't offering it. £90 a week for 2 tuition sessions, so v expensive to us. A language teacher at the school runs a tutor agency so recommended this tutor, who lives miles away,but it's all working v well.

He did do other A LEVELS and a EPQ.
Last right minute he chose RS. 3 or 4 month before the exam. So all last minute.

I will look for his resources.
Just used 1 or 2 books and did lots of essays.
I will take a look as stuff still on his shelves.
He focused on doing essays and past papers.
He did have a general interest in the subject before hand which helped.
He did RS with philosophy.

I think the first thing to check would be where exams could be sat. As you’re in Scotland where would the exam be? But then is she went for Higher or Advanced Higher instead, I suppose there is more possibility of a clash. Or maybe less because one set might all be a bit earlier than the other.