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Original poster

Another one bombed A levels

40 replies

rusty100 · 21/08/2013 12:15

I am at a complete loss, have had a cry, and before speaking to my 17 yr old need to have a coherent plan for him, or at least some suggestions.
He failed all his A levels. The College won't let him retake yr 12. He has been a straight A student all his life, was a STEM student, went off to science camps etc, & got OK GCSEs, all A's & B's.

He moved to a 6th form college and immediately started to struggle. I think he has worked really hard, but may be wrong. I will need to see the exam papers I think to reassure myself that he actually did more than simply write his name.

Don't really know which way to turn right now, which is no use to him, so shall research local colleges, hopefully he can take a couple of A levels or some form of vocational training. I don't suppose there's any tangible advice people can give, though suggestions will be gratefully received along with any advice people have about where we stand with funding his education.

OP posts:
Laura1999 · 22/08/2013 09:29

Hi rusty

You could have been writing about my DS! He's likely to change school/college for a repeat year - he certainly wants a fresh start.
On the funding issue - not to worry. Level 3 courses (which include A levels) are funded to age 19 so, like us, you'll be OK.

(Used to be funded to age 25, I believe - that is quite a difference now, isn't it?)

Good luck to your son. I think your practical and supportive approach to all this will benefit him enormously -

Mozzamum47 · 22/08/2013 20:54

Rusty - we are in the same boat. My DS2 has just failed his AS levels big time. He is not motivated and lacks confidence and inspiration. We have talked to his school who certainly believe he is better than his marks dictate. I am now looking for inspiration for work experience to try and focus his mind on long term goals and ambitions rather than his failure. In order to do this he needs to look for work experience within the financial sector and I would love peoples thoughts about how he goes about this. Does anyone know companies who even still offer work experience. He is certainly not thick. He underwent surgery in October last year and then had a bit of hiccup with post op medication (the consultants prescribed triple the dose he should have been taking) this meant that it took 4 months to try and re-balance his meds. Please people any ideas would be gratefully received. Banking and accountancy are his preferred goals.

BlackMogul · 23/08/2013 00:29

Firstly, did this College actually have a good track record in delivering A levels. My local FE College is dreadful at A levels and is way below what the schools achieve. However they do not have the best students and do not have the best teachers either. Vet science was clearly unrealistic with A's and B's at GCSE. This is a fiercely competitive course and only a handful of Universities offer it. Did anyone from his college ever get onto a vet course? Get him back to school. It is your only chance. Could he go to a different one? If he started again he could even change subjects. Do 3 not 4. This can be ok, but not for vet science. Be realistic.

BlackMogul · 23/08/2013 00:37

Mozzamum47. Banking and Accountancy are not that interesting and will probably bore the pants off him. Get him to write to EVERY bank and accountant you have ever heard of to see what work experience they offer. Or spend hrs trawling through their web sites. He will not look an attractive proposition though so you need to think how he can sell himself when competing against all the people with A grades. Is he brilliant at maths and economics? That is what the banks want. Is this really what he wants?

MariaLuna · 23/08/2013 00:57

says he will just forego a gap year.

Well, that shows a lot of maturity you can be proud of.

He will do well.

FWIW, my DS fucked up at school around 17 and is now going into his 3rd and final year at uni....

Original poster
rusty100 · 23/08/2013 08:04

I think we knew as soon as he got Bs at GCSE that he wasn't going to be a vet. 3 sciences is a good place to be though for career choices.

I accept that he is not a straight A student technically (well certainly not now!) Nonetheless he is bright - although he currently doesn't think so, and has always been really successful and well thought of at school.
The college has a decent track record. It's at the end of our road and he liked the idea of the independence and non -school feel of it.

he's got an interview with the Royal Navy this morning. He always had a hankering to join the Navy - he did a STEM camp where they presented & he was enthused. Not sure right now is a good time to be making firm decisions though. I've told him not to sign anything, reminded him of the episode where Homer signs up to join the Navy haha.

OP posts:
yellowballoons · 23/08/2013 16:46

The navy might be the right way to go?
Dont know if the timing is right or not.
Dont know enough about navy careers.
It might be that he gets in, and never looks back.

Dont know anything about Homer!

cansu · 23/08/2013 19:03

He seems to be fluttering around a bit. I think he needs to take a bit of time to decide what he really wants to do. I don't see why taking sciences is a good idea if he doesn't know what field he would like to go into. I would also say that many kids struggle with a level as they are simply not accustomed to having to work and study. If you are reasonable bright then school will get you through your gcse without you making masses of effort yourself. This is simply not the case with a level. He may do better at sixth form as they will probably support him more than at college where students have to take more responsibility for themselves. However I can't help thinking he needs to have a proper plan for the future so he has a real purpose to studying. Just taking subjects because he likes them or because they might be useful isnt really good enough.

pusspusslet · 23/08/2013 20:17

Hi OP,

Sorry to hear about this.

As others have said, and you know yourself, it doesn't make sense for a boy who got all As and Bs at GCSE to be failing within a year. Sounds like something is definitely wrong in his current college.

The great news is that he's willing to return to his old school and re-take the year. I'm sure it feels dreadful now, but in fact it's only a year. Even students aiming for the most competitive of courses who have failed at A2 rather than AS level can sometimes turn things round and get in for the course they want.

I hope your son can return to his old school (assuming he does want to continue with A levels), re-take the year and get things sorted out.

Very best of luck to you :)

Original poster
rusty100 · 23/08/2013 21:00

Thank you again for all input and contributions. It does surprise me how many young people clearly struggle so badly with this transition.

We went into his old school today, the head of 6th was very sad to see my son leave the school last year and is being very supportive, he came up with some good subject ideas, and I think we have a plan now.

Bio (assuming there's a place free) English, PE and a project planning qualification, which turns into critical thinking next year. We seem happy with this plan, and hopefully he can still become a chiropractor.

OP posts:
Finickynotfussy · 23/08/2013 21:08

It's not uncommon for students to struggle in a new school and sometimes it's particularly true of boys. I have known a number of boys repeat Y12 and do significantly better. It's definitely an option and having already covered the material (if they continue with the same subjects) can boost confidence.

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 24/08/2013 08:06

I'm another one saying this is entirely common and that it's actually hard to predict which students coming in at the start of the course will struggle and which will make the transition.

It's not only about his exam technique but will also be about his study technique and revision technique. As one parent put it, her son has had to throw away everything he though he knew about school work and learn how to study all over again. It's not about laziness at all but quality study.

He definitely needs to decide what it is he wants to do and if it's A levels, make a positive decision to re learn how to study. He can do it if he does this. He needs to make sure that the Navy option is something he will be positively choosing rather than using it to run away from his failure. Otherwise that will be hard to live with in the future.

Good luck, it really sucks deal with this.

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 24/08/2013 08:08

Sorry, just read your last post... Glad to see a plan!!

yellowballoons · 24/08/2013 09:46

Hang on. He[or you] was thinking a vet, then this week navy and chiropractor?
Am I reading that right?

What does he want?

It is ok not to know, but those 3 ideas are so so varied.

heirraising · 28/08/2013 23:03

It could be worse! bit.ly/15qPPaW

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