Unknown

[chinup2011]

Ds has 10 GCSE's grades a-c but has just had a letter from the school to say she can't get in to the psychology A level.
She's not too upset by not being able to do this particular subject. But has lost a lot of confidence being actually told she has not made the mark and cannot proceed as planned.
Now she is struggling with what other A level to pick.
She has an A in Food Tech and Art, B's in Maths and Geography and C's in everything else including English.
She is toying with the idea of:
Food Tech A level
English Literature

She's taking Accountancy, Business and Btec Fashion.
English has always been slightly difficult for her but she thought she'd done really well in her language paper ( was buzzing after she'd done it) and was gutted to get a C.

She's got no idea about future jobs. But wants to get an apprenticeship at 18 and not go to university.

Do employers look for grades at A level and not worry about the subject?
She feels she is more likely to get a good grade in Food Tech. than English but thinks that English would look better on a CV.
She doesn't fancy a career in food/ hospitality, she's leaning towards Accountancy/ Fashion.

I'd be so grateful for advice.

English Lit A Level would require a good standard of english (the psychology decision would have been due to her English GCSE grade) as it is a essay heavy subject. Therefore I would suggest that she goes with her strengths

what other subjects is she doing? its been 20yrs since I started my a levels so bound to have changed to some extent content wise but I did a level food tech and eng lit. food tech was very theory based and doing projects not all about cooking. lit was hard as I got a C grade too in GCSE. I got a C in food etc and D in lit. i still got my uni place doing a subject related to neither. I would say do what she enjoys most.

She's doing:
Accountancy, Business Studies and a Btec Fashion and textiles.
The options left open to her are:
English ( language or lit.)
Food Tech
Sociology

She got an A in Food Tech GCSE
a C in English
and didn't take Sociology.

She's not over fussed about doing Food Tech, quite likes English but had a huge knock back with her GCSE result and is not sure about Sociology despite asking friends who are doing the course. So she's sort of stuck with English or Food.
Her English improved towards the latter part of the course and she can't understand what she did wrong in the exam.
She's adamant she doesn't want to go to Uni, but would like to start work at 18 after A levels.

She would struggle enormously with A Level Psychology if she got Cs in GCSE English. We don't let students take it at our 6th form without at least a B in English GCSE, and even then, many struggle.

She would also find A Level English very difficult without at least a B in GCSE English.

Is it possible for her to do her BTEC as a double (BTECs at Level 3 come in various sizes. At my school, we allow students to do most BTECs as a "single " (subsidiary diploma) or "double" (diploma)) Often, students can do a double without needing extra lessons, as long as they are motivated to complete extra units in study periods.

Might that be an option?

That's helpful thank you.

I've not heard of a double diploma at all.
She is very motivated so extra work wouldn't be a problem.
So do you mean the Fashion Btec could be a double diploma? If the school does that.
There's no one to ask. We have had these A levels chosen for months, without any back up plan, as she was so sure she'd get through, and now we have a panic!
A lesson learned here.

Try to get hold of the teacher in charge of the BTEC course - I know schools are closed but most teachers will be looking at emails. I teach BTEC Performing Arts and will have some of my class doing Subsidiary Diploma and some will be doing Diploma. It works for me BUT I am an experienced BTEC teacher. Some schools might be nervous about it and might say it's not an option but it's definitely worth asking.

As she got a B in her Geography GCSE, has she considered continuing with that to AS or A level?

hi again. I wouldn't discredit sociology. I didn't do at GCSE but did at a level no probs. its not a huge subject at GCSE. it is very interesting examining things like family, race, education etc. prob essay based but teachers should support with this. but I would try not to be too downhearted about the C in English either. English grades have gone down nationally for the last 2 yrs. another year she could have got her B if that's what her target was. I would say not lang but maybe Lit. and is there a chance of tutoring money wise if she did find it more challenging later on? lots of texts to read new and pre 1914. poetry and prose.

Evil is a Btec Diploma one year?
JGB she doesn't fancy Geography, didn't enjoy the GCSE
ETT That's interesting, we may look at Sociology again then.

Thanks for all these helpful replies.

What about going straight into an apprenticeship?

Maybe it will be enough, it's probably because they have been asked to pick 4 A levels and everybody else has!
I'm sure she will find it hard.

She has thought about an apprenticeship now but she absolutely loves school and she is not really sure about what she would like to do ultimatley.

I'd assume that Sociology also includes some essays and probably advise Food Tech.
Regardless of her decision it may be worth asking if you can pay for copies of her English exams to go over with her teachers. It may have been a technique issue which is easily resolved perhaps leading to better performance in 6th Form.

A BTEC diploma is the equivalent in terms of UCAS points to 2 A Levels. A subsidiary diploma is 1 A Level. Usually they're done over 2 years but I've put students through the sub dip in one year if they're willing to work in their own time.

It is not unusual to only take 3 subjects at Year 12, and if it will give her more time to work on the others, then it might be a good option.

I would look hard at Sociology - a really interesting subject, and good grades aren't impossible.

I would rule English or Lit. out with a C grade.

Food tech. should be fine, but not if she doesn't enjoy it.