Failed a levels

[Voiceofreasonusually]

Anyone else get really bad results oday? DD got an E and 2 Us. She's was a self-study student, dropped out of 6th form due to mental health. She self-studied at home, while it was hard to be motivated, she got through the course work. She capable of As, but we'd thought worst case would be Cs as had some anxiety wobbles for some exams. It is what it is and she's surprisingly pragmatic. Lots to think about ...whether to resit or do something else. She was aiming for biosciences at RG uni and still wants that.

How is her MH now? Clearly she wasn't able to self-study so needs to get back to college to either resit the whole two years (I wouldn't recommend a one year resit course with her grades), or do an Access course.

So maybe university isnt the right place for her. I wish we didn’t have this view that if you don’t go to university that is it for you.

I speak as someone who went to a big standard secondary modern and have done OK. Cannot remember my A level results (probably blocked out) and didn’t go to university.

My two children did well. AAB for one and AA A* for the other. Must have taken after DH! Both went to RG universities and one is flying high now.

I am going to be honest here and say with results like this a RG university isn’t going to happen. I know they want to go but unless this was a blip and they can resit it’s not going to happen. What about an apprenticeship of some sort or straight into work?

There are other options.

She's ok compared to the worst time between 16-18. We talk a lot and she's so better. Got dropped out of CAMHS at 18, 19 now and is about to start private therapy. The idea was to get support to transition to uni. DD wants college, it's just harder to do at 19!

Yep I think you're right about RG unis. She's very academic and bright and I'm sure will do well at another science course that is more achievable. Has a natural gift for chemistry

Does DD have an EHCP?

I'm a teacher and have supported some kids in your dd's position.

It's probably not that she didn't study hard enough. It's just that students self studying aren't good at what we call formative assessment. This means they think they understand everything and they're "on" a B or a C, but there are gaps in their knowledge they're not aware of and don't address.

Even when they do past papers, they look at the mark scheme when marking their own attempt and say "oh yes I basically wrote that" and give themselves the mark. So then they think they got xyz % on that oast paper but overestimate hugely.

If she were to retake to try and get a higher grade, it really must be with a lot of professional tutoring, or by going back to college

She doesn't have a natural gift for chemistry if she got a U at A level.

I would look for a college near you that does the science btec. It is hard work, but has more coursework than A level and if you do the Extended diploma she'd be able to apply to non RG unis to do biosciences.

If she’s 19 now she can do an access course at an FE college starting next month, and start her uni course the year after. Plenty of RG will accept access courses for STEM, but if she has one in mind she should just double check they accept the access course available locally.

I think self study is hard. If she isn't up to attending school realistically university might not be right for her at the moment either.

Has she considered apprenticeships ? - they are available in science fields.

If her mental health is still not right would she be better taking a break and perhaps looking for a low pressure job for a year or two and evaluating her options when she is hopefully feeling better?

I think university is a big ask and particularly with the financial pressure it now lands you in it might not be the best choice if she isn't quite ready.

Remind her that progress does not have to be linear. There are many ways to get where you want in life, many ways to be successful and it doesn't have to happen in the traditional time scale.

Yes this is exactly the situation. It was such a a horrible time when she dropped out of 6th form and for a while we just focused on her getting well. She's on the waiting list for an autism assessment. We made a late registration for exams, too late to get extra time or special arrangements. So it was always a long shot and I'm really proud of her for stepping up and doing all the exams and practical endorsements. All of this is so hard on your own as a family and it's hard to find any support when you're out of the school system. I have faith she'll succeed in the right environment. Just got to find that!

@Voiceofreasonusually I don’t know what’s available in your area, we have a specific advice service in our city we can approach after exam results , as it’s worth seeing someone to advise on alternative routes into science…as others have said there are alternatives to the typical uni route that may well suit her, different levels of btech/ t levels/ degree aprenticeships. I am a little perplexed about why she specifically wants an RG unit?

We live in Manchester and wanted unis nearby. We went to all of them and UofM was the one that matched what she wants. But we were ready to go into clearing for others...I believe she has the academic capability, but probably not the overall mental/life capacity to fulfill that potential. DH and I have engineering degrees and I was a straight A student. She's more capable and passionate than me in these subjects.

I agree with considering BTEC as an alternative or complement to A-levels. DD did this, and it worked brilliantly for her. She is about to enter her final year at Exeter (on course for a high 2.1).

Maybe she should stop studying for a while and take some time for her self and to decide what she wants to do however I would suggest getting a job so she's not just at home while her friends are living it up on sm. The first term will be awful in terms of fomo but that way she'll have some money in her pocket to travel or socialise and experience or an internship. You can go back to education at anytime and I think so many of sleep walk through what's expected of us rather than what we actually want. I wish I had done this as I just wasn't mature enough for uni at 18 and if self study isn't working it I don't think uni will be right for her at the moment either. I often think 25 would have been a better time for further education so you know yourself better. Best of luck

I have the same perspective...no need to rush. Was messaging a friend of mine today who dropped out of 2 uni degrees, spent years working in hospitality then did a short skills course at 26 that set him up for huge success thereafter. And went to uni with mature students. But it's a hard perspective to get across to someone on this side of success.

Has she considered a Foundation year? Or if she takes a break an Access course? There are alternative routes to uni which may suit her better.

This was me ten years ago, I did a foundation year at the university of Leeds and then transferred to the uni of Nottingham after the foundation year. I then got a 2:1 degree and went on to complete a masters with a 2:1. A level style learning just didn't suit me. I would look into foundation years, although I got my place on the foundation course due to my background as widening participation and the fact that my secondary school had a gcse pass rate of 30%!

I think an access course may be beneficial. I think going back to college would be a better choice. If mental health is still a concern, I would suggest doing a free course that is not too taxing to see how she manages that. She can then decide what she wants to do. I think she got her whole life ahead of her. Or she can try do a similar subject. For example, my friend daughter flunked school, however she got herself a job in a pharmacy, did the mini course and now it studying to be a pharmacist.

@Voiceofreasonusually I'm really sorry your DD (and you!) is in this position but as you say well done for her giving it a crack. I also had a DD who had to leave sixth form for health reasons, so I feel for you. My DD is diagnosed autistic.

Do you think that your DD trying and sitting the exams has helped her confidence, despite the results? If so, then this is something to build on. PPs' idea of a foundation course is a good idea, if she meets the criteria.

My two children did well. AAB for one and AA A for the other. Must have taken after DH! Both went to RG universities and one is flying high now. *

@Tracker1234 this is a tone deaf comment to make on a post where the OP's DD failed two a levels. What is the relevance other than making it about you and having a stealth boast?

Mine dropped out twice due to MH issues (ASD/ADHD+++); also tried self study at home.

She really does want to got to university and does have brilliant GCSEs so is doing the Access to HE diploma at our local tech. Apart from Oxbridge and a few unis (Imperial, LSE) all the other unis accept the diploma. It has no exams and just requires you to commit, work hard and show your mettle for 9-10m. After which you can turn it round.

I’d hug your child, draw a line under this, reassure them you love them and this is not the end of the world… and apply to a tech college for the Access Diploma in sciences - eg. Uni of Surrey has a BioMed degree and takes the access course, and a graduate medical degree program - and give them a start afresh.

Cocking up is human, esp at 17/18 - it’s the way you rebound that makes you grow.

Feel free to DM, as it sounds as though we’ve been in similar places.

@WriterOfWrongs I thought that was very odd too.@Voiceofreasonusually who cares whether your DDs took after their dad? have some empathy for goodness sake.

@Voiceofreasonusually we've had a disappointing day too so I sympathise.

My DS who has always been bright and got great GCSEs got DDE today when he was hoping for BBC ( he got an A in one of his mocks so it wasn't expected)

His problem is he was hoping to get an apprenticeship but he really needs at least CCC for the type he wants to do.

We are fortunate that he does at least have a confirmed Uni place which he applied for as a back up plan thanks to him having a contextual offer for being adopted from care. He doesn't really want to go to Uni but thinks he has no alternative option now.

I've felt anxious and sick all day with worry about it all.

Did you check the grade boundaries to see how far out she was? DS was one mark of the next grade up in one and four grades off in another so we are considering a re mark. Just don't know if it's worth it though.

I think that too much pressure is put on a few days. I would look at an Access course but importantly a university that has a high level of non examination marks or marks for course work.

@CautiousLurker that's a great post and gave me comfort after a horrible day so thank you for that.

I thought that too.
There's always (at least) one, eh?

@Voiceofreasonusually sorry the results weren't as expected, that's always tough. It sounds like you're doing your best to support her and that in itself is worth more than you can imagine.