Poor AS results

[longingforsomesleep]

A level threads always seem to attract parents whose kids performed really well. On the assumption that there must be plenty kids out there who didn't, I thought I would start an alternative thread!

My ds did well in the eleven plus, went to a grammar school and slowly went off the boil. He did well enough at gcse to get into the sixth form (but fell a long way short of his predicted grades) and yesterday got his AS results - C, D, E and U. He is a bit short of the 3 Ds minimum he requires to enroll for year 13 so we have been allocated a slot for 'a chat' at school on Monday.

I am at a complete loss as to where he should go from here. He's convinced himself he will be allowed into year 13 - but I'm not sure if there's any point. He's adamant he won't redo year 12 and his school doesn't allow AS resits during year 13 so even if he works really hard next year he's not going to end up with very good grades. He has no idea what he wants to do, is not particularly interested in his A level subjects, claims to work for exams (but clearly doesn't), hasn't got particularly good people skills so I can't see him doing well in a job interview.

I'm alternating between thinking he needs a sharp kick up the bum and if the school won't let him back in he'll have to deal with the consequences, to wanting to hug him and tell him not to worry. I've talked to him calmly but firmly but he just shrugs his shoulders.

Anyone else in a similar position?!!

Something no one has mentioned here, which may be worth considering is crammer schools or college - or even courses.

The courses are usually run Christmas and Easter for specific modules. The colleges do one year programmes for A level, for those who screwed up first time. Sometimes go under the title "tutorial colleges"

In my experience they do work and can push a willing student up as much as two grades (although more usually one grade. But the operative word is willing

Lower grade A levels are not the end of the world. There are universities and courses who will take them, and many can do very well at university. It?s not always policy or necessary to go to those over hyped self promotional universities in the "Russell Group? There are some good places out there in lesser institutions (all giving the same degree!)

Many employers do not demand an institution ( and those who do will not be places your DC with those lower grades will be going anyway - sorry to say it). Many places want good degrees which may be attainable in different places. Also many local employers can be biased toward their local universities when selecting their employees.

I knew I couldn't be the only MNetter with a failing DS .

Interesting that on this thread there is only one mention of a DD ,the rest are DS.

In retrospect I wish DS had left school and done a Btech - though I suppose that would have entailed making some career route choice at 16 as they do seem to narrow options rather than keep them open the way A levels do .

It's so hard isn't it ,my DS ( like others I'm sure ) had the ability to achieve A levels but not the motivation/mindset/application .

Could the long grind of exams starting from year 9 be a factor ?
Maybe being average doesn't help - schools concentrate on the D/C and high flying groups IME .

With DS I think he's not self disciplined - the long months between end of teaching GCSE and starting an AS course where there are lots of untimetabled time were not periods where he buckled down .

Anyway .... I think whoever made the point that schools will kick low achievers ( ie those expected to get below a C ) out of school in the Christmas before their A levels should be listened to .

As for my DS - he's at a low key college doing a Foundation Degree .
He's lazy and seems not to have matured at all .
I have no idea ( only dread ) as to what the future holds .

So why are you posting if you don't want to advertise your services then victor?

Have reported.