Failed AS levels - Sixth Form says no to re-takes

[Laura1999]

DS failed his science and maths AS levels - passed a humanities one.
Hadn't appreciated the huge leap between GCSEs and A levels and, by his own admission, hadn't got the study pattern right until it was rather too late ...

Doesn't want to go back to old sixth form (and big question over whether they would have them to do those subjects ..). Went to a sixth form college interview today - was told emphatically that he can't do the sciences (even though he got a B at GCSE in one of them - and in maths) but could do Applied Science and Phychology (and a couple of humantities subjects). Was told that other local colleges would say the same thing ... (Have to say that the manner in which he was told all us was very unfortunate.

DS knows what went wrong and is determined not to repeat his mistakes and very much wants a fresh start. He wants a career in biological/medical science and doesn't think that Applied Science would to the job.

Any experience of Applied Science A level? Anyone else with a DC who has been able to re-take a favourite subject even though the AS went badly? Phoning round other colleges - invited to make application - but feeling a bit despondent and rather sad that DS isn't being allowed, by this one college that he'd very much like to go to, a second chance, as it were. Thanks for any suggestions/thoughts!

Have you spoken to a careers advisor about appropriate subjects for your ds' s chosen career?

It sounds like he was badly advised with his choice of A-levels in the first place. Many sixth forms would not have let him take maths with a B, nor science with a C (if that is what he got?).
Definitely think you need some decent careers advice.

Agree he needs to be clear what the entry criteria for his chosen qualification courses and career are . tbh a B at GCSE, presumably lower for others, then lowish AS would suggest that perhaps Science subjects aren't strong enough to pursue in their own right - most colleges would require B or above GCSE for study at A level.

DS1 was advised against doing Biology A level with 'only' a B at GCSE. He did Physics instead (also a B) and ended up with an E at AS. At his school you aren't allowed to move onto A2 with anything less than a D at AS.

I'd caution against psychology A level - some students find it very hard.

I just googled AS retake colleges - got quite a few. Private crammers will def do it; public sector ones maybe vary
Good luck

Unfortunately for your son OP, January AS resits are no longer available and all students wishing to re-take will not have an opportunity to do so until May/June. this may be what the sixth form meant. Private colleges or private tutors may well be able help your ds prepare for re-takes, but you would need to check whether or not this would include practical assessments (if this is needed) and whether they have an exam centre for your son to take the exams.
The Applied Sciences route could be worth considering, but you would need to check it's standing with universities. I used to teach on an Applied Sciences degree course and they were more flexible with their entry requirements, so it is possible.

Could your son try & gain some experience in his preferred job? Passion & experience will be considered by universities.

My DS has had a bad two weeks after failing one of his AS levels. He's still unsure if he will be returning to college next week, but he knows he'll reach his goal eventually. Meanwhile he's sent his CV to various local companies & is hoping for some volunteer work.

I certainly feel for you & your DS as I'm walking in those shoes with my own DS & I'm sorry I can't offer anything else other than sympathy at the situation.

I would try other local colleges - they may NOT all say the same thing.

What were his predicted grades? If high, it might be worth re-taking.

I would suspect his GCSE's are not going to help with Uni entrance for biological/ medical science. Maybe being realistic would help! What other GCSE's did he get? Anything at A or A*? Some schools keep pupils on to keep their 6th form numbers up without the DC's having a realistic chance of success. I would either look for other subjects or look for less academic science exams and take a different route.

What noblegiraffe says. If he only managed a B in one of the sciences, then he does seem to have been badly advised in his A-level choices.

It is a big leap from GCSE's to A-levels and he would need at least an A and B in science subjects (plus one other B) to be eligible for university courses.

At least for medical sciences, he might also need to demonstrate his commitment and passion for the subject, typically by volunteering in relevant fields. Dc of friends who are planning to study medicine are doing things such as volunteering in nursing homes or surgeries, working with disabled children etc.

What he wants to do is to talk to sixth form colleges, but in a more open way: this is where I stand, these are my interests, what kind of paths and possibly careers would you see from this, is there anything else I should be thinking of?

It may be that institutions that seem totally negative as long as he seems to be insisting on something they can't give him will come round and become more helpful if he asks for alternative suggestions. I would also contact universities and ask for guidance from them. But he needs to do it, not you.

The other option is retake colleges. It may be that he actually needs to go back and retake his GCSE's as well: C's (or below) do seem like basic concepts could still be missing.

I'm new to Mumsnet, but I have just joined as my DS is in a similar position and I don't know what to do. He did well in his GCSEs (A*, As and Bs) but has not done well in his AS levels - C in Maths, D in Physics, E in Chemistry and U in Further Maths. He didn't want to continue with physics because he doesn't like the teacher but now it's too late as he needed to register for the A2 before the summer holidays. The college won't let him carry on at all unless he has at least 3 Ds. (average 90 UCAS points)

He has tried to get on to a Btech Engineering diploma but apparently the course is full. In fairness he does not seem to be very proactive about this, so maybe his attitude is not doing him any favours, but I really don't know what to do. Is it too late to start looking at other courses or colleges, should we go for resits or should I just tell him to get a job and then decide what he wants to do? He seems very blase about it, but I think he may just be a bit lost and doesn't knw what to do to get himself out of the mess he has got himslef into.

Jaywalker. Sounds like he may need to go down and repeat the year if school will allow. There is not much point going on to A2 from this position. Further Maths looks to be too difficult. Also sounds like he needs to grow up. Are jobs plentiful in your area ? This might be very dead end but could buy time to take a more realistic position of his future.

Unfortunately, I think you are right, BlackMogul. I have suggested that he either starts again or we enter him to resit the AS exams at the end the year as a private student and he takes a part-time job to buy him some time while he decides what he wants to do. My understanding is that you can get the exam fees back if you cancel before a certain date.
He does need to grow up a bit, he is quite youung for his age but headstrong, not a good mix I think. He was born in June, and although I have always frowned on the idea that summer-born children are at a disadvantage, it does seem that it's the lack of maturity that has done for him this time. Maybe this year will do him good.
He's off to discuss his position with his tutor now, so we will see.

So, the little darling has come back having switched from full on academia to a Btec sport diploma. I must say I was just a touch surprised, but it is his life and his choice and he seems to be happier than he has been in a while. I suppose that he is probably starting off on the perfect career path for him - one in which he will never need to actually grow up so all's well that ends well!

Jay. That's great he has sorted something out. I hope itworks out for him

Just signed in. My son failed all his AS papers , 3Us and 1 E! I will like him to repeat but it appears his school does not allow this. I am still waiting for a feedback from his tutor. I believe he was distracted and did not study hard enough. What are the options available for him, pls help????

ZOMBIE THREAD

Mumsco probably better to start a new thread, this one is two years old.

My DS failed his AS- 3Us and 1E. I will like him to repeat AS however his school is yet to revert. I am worried, please what are the options he has.

Mumsco, things will vary at different institutions and in different areas but where I live, the local sixth forms rarely allow repeating a year with the same subjects but might consider beginning again with new ASs (there are apparently funding issues). They look at factors such as attendance, attitude, predicted grades and whether there were mitigating circumstances when deciding.

I hope you get a reply from the school soon. It's such an difficult time of year to try and communicate with them when it's still summer holidays! DS's college included a letter with the AS results saying anyone with results less than DD would be emailed with an interview date in the week before term starts to discuss options. Which seems efficient up to a point, but difficult for those kids not knowing whether they're going back before then and unable to make a definite plan B until then. One of DS's friends is in that situation.

I would also recommend looking at other options. Contact local colleges, look at their prospectuses with your DS, see what he's interested in. Consider BTECs and apprenticeships. It might be worth doing this even before you hear from the school as places will be filling fast.

With those results I would recommend a new start elsewhere with new subjects.

There are some fantastic apprenticeships around at the moment, I am beginning to think unless you have the grades and the skills for a very highly regarded degree ( academic or vocational) go for an apprenticeship. It isn't a forever choice. You can progress to a degree in some apprenticeships. You generally only get funding for one degree so you need to get it right. I see lots of young adults with poor A level grades and poor degrees who are stuck because they have run out of funding options. You can always do an access to HE course at a later date if you change your mind. The motivation levels of these students is amazing compared to your average 18 year old.

Level 3 BTEC are great if the student has a focus. there are BTECs in Science - maybe the OPs son could look at one of those. I think one is medical science too - I suspect its aimed more at complimentary employment around medicine but might be worth looking into.

My son took an IT diploma when he was (well advised it seems) to not take A levels last year (he has a whole row of B and Cs at GCSE). In fact, that College refused to accept him on an A level course! I suspect a more "bums on seats" college might have allowed him to try but we are very pleased he got the advice he did as he loves his course and is doing well.

Mumsco - get your son to look at all the BTEC level 3s available to him locally. See if any fit with his aspirations.

Thank you all for your advice. Head Tutor has responded that my DS will be allowed to repeat but will have to change his subjects. DS does not want to change subjects believes he should be given a second chance. Unfortunately, We may not get a detailed response until school resumes on Sept 7th.