How can I help my year 11 child choose college courses? Instead of acting

[CollegesinLondon]

DC is starting year 11 in September. They are not academic and don’t want to do A levels. They want to go to college. They have always said they want to be an actor and done some performing related stuff but not a lot. They want part time studies so they can work too.

I not sure how to guide them towards other courses and which ones ? They also mentioned music.

They will probably do part time acting course but need a backup career/job something that provides a steady income so they can make a living. They also said they didn’t want an office job.

What does your DC enjoy doing? Anything they did well at for gcse? Do they like cooking, working with children, beauty, engineering, building, travel, cars etc?

Just let them do drama lol

Colleges that offer BTEC performing arts. Then combine with other things they want to do.

So your child has already done some performing? And is willing to work and study simultaneously? Seems to me they have a pretty sensible head on their shoulders and if acting/performing is the goal, and they aren't academic and missing out without traditional a levels, why not. They can always train in a trade later if performaning arts dont work out.

Plus, once in that industry there are routes to long germ careers that aren't necessarily about performing from script.writing to costume design to administration.

And bear in mind that getting into a performing art school is quite difficult- so they will need to have some talent.

I think your DC would be better off if you let them chose their own way.

College course in performing arts or something related like theatrical make up?

I suggest a plumbing qualification. A self-employed plumber can pretty well choose their own hours, and people always need plumbers.

They enjoy acting, performing, travelling, fashion. Don’t want teaching or office jobs

“Office jobs” is a pretty wide definition. Has your DC done any work experience at anything? I’m afraid they are looking for a unicorn job - time for a reality check!

Agree with this. Most level 3 courses are not full time.

Erm don’t most people. He needs to get real if he’s not even dedicated himself to acting ffs

My dc did some amateur dramatics, then conventional A levels but chose to go to drama school instead of university.
Musical theatre became singing and song writing, to filming, editing, sound engineering, composing sound tracks, doing voice overs, advertising, photography.
Acting is a great skill and instills confidence and great communication skills.
It was a great choice.

I know lots of young people who did Btec performing arts in either acting or musical theatre. My own son did the music Btec.

he is now working as a musician.

of the others, several went to uni, one works as a personal shopper in a posh department store, some are teaching, one works in retail, a few work in theatres in an admin/marketing/tech capacity. A few work as actors in theatres in education companies. A couple are cruise ship singers or work in hotels/theme parks. A couple are successful theatre performers and one works for an agent.

They could do a part time travel consultant course. A friend’s son had just done this and is loving the work.

If they want to do drama, let them. But if they need to earn money a back up is a good idea.

I can't believe someone said train as a plumber.

They need to pursue the performing arts until they feel there's another channel.

Can they audition for some of the big drama schools? Are you willing to support that?

Do you know many young people enrol on plumbing courses but can't find work placements or apprentiships. Do you know how many young people are desperately wanting to get employment as a plumber?

I do as I am the one fielding the phone calls from these kids. It is very competitive.

Sure, that's great to know.

But if someone wants to be a performer they are not going to go into plumbing.
Not unless they try performing for several years and in desperation, make a career change.

I was an actor years ago and someone suggested "stage management" which frankly would have bored the pants off me and I had zero inclination to do.

If someone had suggested plumbing they'd have been laughed at.

Could they continue acting but combine it with studies in costume design? I’m not sure if their interest in fashion stretches to that? Then they have more options if the acting doesn’t work out? My friend did similar and is very successful, never short of work.

Do you have a specialist performing arts college near you? That's where all the drama/singing/dancing students go after Year 11 in our area.

I was agreeing with you that the plumbing suggestion was ridiculous.

(as someone with a drama/music degree who previously worked in theatre but now works for a plumbing company)

my two kids both studied performing arts & both work/worked in the industry although one is retraining in a different but related career.

ok, that was not immediately clear, nor is it now when I read back your response.

If they want to do a Btec in Performing Arts (or similar) then what's wrong with that?
I don't see the problem.

Gently - Your young person is on the verge of becoming an adult.

Let them make their own decisions - just because they are persueing acting atm (which you clearly are not that supportive of) Doesn't exclude them from working in any are they might choose later down the line.

As others have said study in the arts can be a platform for many varied careers - even if the acting itself doesn't work out.

Hi op
My DS is going is starting 6th form this week. He is going to be doing a level 3 in musical theatre plus film studies.

He will (hopefully!) come out with the equivalent of 3 A Levels and some guidance on what to do next.

We are fully supportive of our children doing what makes them happy and what they are good at.

No point, like a parent I saw at college yesterday, trying to shoe horn a 5&6 grade gcse student into Science and Maths when they won't be able to cope with the demands of the course. Or won't be happy doing it.

I would encourage looking into the routes to do acting but as with all things it’s really important they get passes in English and maths and I would really push this, because once you have the passes they are done (like passing a driving test) and you will need them. Doing retakes is very hard.