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.

This is also a great idea - perhaps with a year’s break first?

Access courses are free up to a certain age (19? 21?) but if she starts an access course over that age she can get a loan which will then be written off if she goes on to do a degree - so no hurry. Best to get her mental health better first and get an ND assessment.

So many great tips and shared experiences, it's really comforting. Been at work today, will read and digest over the weekend. The media is focused on the good news. And it's great to hear of people who found success after bad results. But even better to get practical ideas.

I am so sorry your DD A level results were lower than expected and for you. It's an awful situation to be in. My DS got 3 Ds on Thursday which was a terrible blow for him. He was in quite a state and we felt alone as everyone celebrated good exam results. We supported DS to look at the options. He didn't want to do re-sits and opted for a foundation course which gives access to the degree he wants to do. Nice to see good supportive comments and advice here and I hope it's helped you and your DD. I hope your DD is ok and that she has had a little time to think about her next step. I wish her all the best for the future.

Best wishes to your DD, OP - we are in the same boat - predicted A*, A, B and got B,D,C. Ugh. All the courses DD wants to do are asking for AAB and above... I have applied for her papers in case there are a few marks that were missed to bump up her B to an A (unlikely I know), and am looking at her retaking either one or two years, in which case she can swap the C subject for a non-language, where she'll probably score better. It's a crappy position to be in annd I swing between sympathy and disappointment.

I do think MFL should nd looked at. Nortoriousky difficult to get a top mark. I advised my own dd to not take one but the teachers convinced her. Grade C here too. In another subject sh

I hate the mn app!

A non mfl would have given her a higher grade.

I know the grades are skewed due to to number of native speakers taking it but also that they mark harshly. Hardly encourages take up of mfl.

Hi @Rummikub - I think that, too. Only 2 in her year took MFL - her and a native speaker (who got an A, of course). She loved the subject but it royally screwed her and I'm not sure she can improve on it. She's thinking of doing a new subject in a single year, but I think that's too hard.

Yes I agree @MyRamone

My dd had 3 in class. 2 native speakers. It meant dd felt behind all the time and incapable.

For your dd look at all the options. Which subjects did she find easy? Definitely play to strengths.

Another option is a year out then a year Access to HE course. Some might let her on now depending how old she is.

What does she want to do?

@Rummikub - she did want to do medicine but I think that's out now. More likely a Biochemistry type of course. Sorry your dd had the same experience of learning a language - it's awful. They do separate native speaker and 2nd language papers for Welsh - why not other languages?

Ah tricky choices ahead for her @MyRamone
Might be worth going through the papers and talking to her teachers.

Otherwise a year out in an nhs setting (could be apprenticeship) then Access to medical science course and try again. Especially if her ucat score and. sky vs were good marks.

I often wonder how schools/6th form colleges can get predicted grades so wrong (extenuating circumstances excluded, of course).

DD's school was spot on with hers.

A long time ago (I'm now 53) I got a U in physics and N's in Chemistry and Maths at A level. I was struggling mainly in physics but the knock on effect meant I lost focus. I was "lucky" and got a job at 18 with a well known Chemical giant (at the time) and was able to study day release, initially for an HNC and then carrying on to a degree in Chemistry. I don’t know if the day release option still exists but might be worth looking into.
I'm a great believer in if it's meant to be then you can find a way.

Thanks @Rummikub - good ideas, though don't a lot of access courses only open to people with contextual situations? Maybe I'm wrong - I'll have a search.

@RampantIvy - I have no idea what went wrong at the end - mocks were A*AC and her work was consistently at that level, hence the predictions.

@MyRamone

The ones at FE colleges are usually just say age 19+.

Some unis will want to see a gap between A levels and Access. These vary. I've seen one that says 5 years!

Some med schools will want a specific Access course from a particular college.

It is a fair bit of research.

Well done to DD for getting through exams with MH issues. The most important thing is her health.

I'd like to make a suggestion. Have a look at the OU, not necessarily for the whole degree and not studying full time just do one module and see how it goes.

It is self study but you do have weekly online (sometimes in person) meetings with your tutor.

You can also phone / email them.

I'm currently taking a break from OU studies due to MH.

There are some short courses available for free to see if she likes it.

Ignore the negative comments, yes you can have a natural talent for something and to fail it due to other issues.

Thanks - that sounds great. Would highly recommend not taking Spanish A-level for anyone thinking of it :) Doesn't help that her twin sister did really well and is off to UCL shortly.

An update one week on: DD has assessed her options (incl suggestions here) and her state of mind and come to a well reasoned decision to retake A levels this year with private 1-1 or group tuition. She's positive about this, whereas in the last 2yrs resisted any tuition. We fortunately have savings to cover the cost. She looked at Access to Higher Ed and felt it was probably too intense and didn't offer a flexible qualifications. I guess maturely sensing that in a year's time she might want something different at uni. Foundation years at least locally were not an option because her scores were too low for science courses.

Oh and to round out the week our younger DC got 9s and 8s in GCSEs!

Congratulations to both your children @Voiceofreasonusually and to you supporting them.

All this clap trap about natural gifts etc. At the right point in her life she will do what she needs to do. I got two Es and a U. I now teach in a RG university at senior lecturer level. Life wasn't good to me at 18 ( abusive parents, chaotic home) but I found my path later. Pop along to a college with her, they are currently enrolling, or let her work for a while. However, don't write her off by assuming A levels are the only option or that it's about being gifted or talented.