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Secondary education

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9 GCSE'S grade C, no A level place

177 replies

FrancesNiadova · 22/08/2014 16:02

My DS has got 9 GCSE grade C' s including maths, Eng. Lang, physics, biology & chemistry. He's 2 marks off a B in 1 subject so we're having it re-marked.
He's been told that he can't do A levels & will have to do a year's re-sits. I don't remember it being like this when I did my A's, or my degree, grade C counted as a good, "O," level pass!
Is anyone else experiencing similar barriers being put in their way?

OP posts:
Olivevoir · 25/08/2014 10:07

Thank you Skinnedflowerpot :)
I am used to working with her in the way you describe through her gcses and I am fully prepared to do the same with A levels (I am a teacher myself). I wasn't able to do this with the Btec as the course leaders seemed to be just as disorganised as dd!
The online academy are used to dealing with kids with these sort of issues and help by having short lessons (30 minutes) which are interactive and recorded. Obviously all resources and tasks are online and as she will be accessing education via our computer, hopefully all her work will be stored electronically and in one place...though knowing dd, I'm sure she will find a way to scatter it everywhere! But I am quietly hopeful that this time she might succeed.

Cuckoocloud · 25/08/2014 10:09

Crickey, a very interesting discussion about A Level and BTEC starting points with lots of different personal experiences. Very thought provoking for me as my son embarks on sixth form with 7x C, 2 x B and A in maths next week.
A certain amount of revision as to his choices is required due to a lower than expected performance in GCSEs.
He wishes to do A Levels but we are leaning towards hedging his bets slightly by doing 2 A levels: Chemistry (one of his B Grades) and Psychology and BTEC double award Applied Science.
He wants to give AS maths a go too but I am not so sure.
I think the school will be fine about this but will confirm with them next week.
I would appreciate any opinions.
One concern I have is that the Chemistry may overlap with the Applied Science but not sure if that is a problem.
Good luck to the OP in helping her DC make the right choice and everybody else navigating a similar path, especially to those with additional obstacles to deal with.

Cuckoocloud · 25/08/2014 10:14

**Crikey I meant, didn't think that looked right!

mumslife · 25/08/2014 10:52

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crazymum53 · 25/08/2014 11:10

It may be possible to take an A level in Applied Science rather than the BTEC - this would be more highly regarded than BTEC applied Science.
However it would not be possible to take this alongside a traditional A level such as Chemistry due to the overlap. Would recommend BTEC Engineering or IT which are highly regarded.
Another reason I wouldn't recommend retaking GCSEs and starting A levels in Sept 2015 is that new A level specifications start in 2015.

mumslife · 25/08/2014 12:11

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circular · 25/08/2014 12:32

Cuckoocloud I can't help with Chemistry and/or applied science but suspect there ill be too much of an overlap to do both.

Re AS Maths, there were quite a few threads last year, as generally those below A at GCSE do not seem to do well. I think much of this depends on the reason why they never made the grade. It is possible to get an A at GCSE maths without knowing any of he A material, which is fundamental for the AS C1 module. If this is the case, and your DS cannot master the A* work, then possibly he has hit his limit in maths and best not to continue.
The CGP 'Headstart to AS Maths' book is a useful guide, and many 6th forms recommend this for the summer holiday work prior to yr12.
If his A grade was due to lack of work, or (as in the case of my DD1) making careless mistakes in easier paper, not reading questions properly, then worth going for IMO.

As far as the overall grade profile goes, very difficult to tell. Some DC blossom with less subjects. Some find the independent learning required a step too far. DD1 had a GCSE profile of 2A*, 4A, 3B as well as a double distinction in a (compulsory) level 2 Btec, and a low pass in some ICT thing. So a reasonable A level candidate on paper.
Took 4 AS in subjects that were AAAA at GCSE, at start of year would have reasonably expected AABB at AS. Ended up with BDBU. Didn't exactly work flat out, but would say at similar level as for GCSE. Much we suspect down to settling in at new school, poor organisational skills, bad choice on one subject that she was too bloody minded to drop and a couple of modules in her best subjects being more challenging than she expected.

honeysucklejasmine · 25/08/2014 12:42

I've never taught BTEC Applied, but I have taught the A Level course, and I am an A Level Chem teacher. I found almost no overlap, but the parts that did, it wouldn't hurt to do twice.

A Level applied: It was more about science in industry. They had to report on hospital clinical sciences, carry out an investigation and sit an exam. Of course it overlapped because you can choose modules, and it suited myself and the student to do the chemistry based module!

Ask the course tutors or Head of year group (or whatever, prob a Science tutor) for their opinion. The head of science will certainly be able to explain the details.

crazymum53 · 25/08/2014 14:04

Am not sure about A level but at GCSE you cannot take both Applied and main Science modules from the same subject i.e. both Chemistry and Applied Chemistry so suspect it would be similar for A level. Would have thought that Biology and/or Physics Applied Science modules would be OK with Chemistry A level though.
For the A level reforms see the attached link www.ocr.org.uk/Images/140151-guide-to-the-a-level-reforms.pdf there are similar documents from the other exam boards.
The aim of the reforms is to make A levels linear like GCSEs and to make them harder so that unis can identify the best candidates. The exams would be done at the end of Y13 but more than one exam per subject. It may mean that at some sixth forms students only take 3 subjects at A level, rather than 4 AS in Y12 and 3 A2 in Y13. It could also mean that some schools and sixth forms will raise the entry requirements for starting A level courses in Sept 2015 so resitting students could find that the goalposts move between now and next year.
The reforms would suit some students, but not all, and am unsure how this makes sense when more pupils are expected to stay in education (or training) until they are 18.

Kez100 · 25/08/2014 16:23

skinnedflowerpot

My son wanted to do A level Physics. From the phone call he made to them with his results his college is saying he should not take it.

He scored B,C in double science but the physics papers were A, B. He scored C in Maths. His general grade profile for other subjects is C grades.

He doesn't actually need Physics - he would like to work in IT and get a higher apprenticeship at 18 but, obviously, dropping academics before you need to is not a great idea and he loved Physics at school. He is now thinking (from the entry requirements) that he has likely reached his academic ability level and therefore moving into vocational BTEC in IT is the way to go.

What would you be advising him to do when he attends the college entrance interview tomorrow? (this is the interview he has to go to in order to review his choice of course because he didn't get the required B grades in Maths and Additional Science.)

ChocolateWombat · 25/08/2014 19:59

If I were you Kez, I would be telling him to to agree to anything at the meeting, but to say he wants to come home and discuss it with you, after the interview and that he will then ring them later in the day.

Physics at A Level is obviously very reliant on maths,so having a C in Maths and not meeting the requirement in science either, means the college are right really to tell him it is not a good idea. He could ask though, what someone with his grades would be likely to get if taking physics A Level.

Whatever other options he is offered, he should ask, what he would be predicted to achieve given his GCSEs and what people with those grades go onto do and where, after the Sixth Form. I would advise that he writes it all down, so he can report back accurately to you, rather than just signing up on the spot.

I say all this, because big decisions are about to made and I don't think most 16 year olds should be making them alone at an interview, but need parental input. You can be looking into university courses and whether the courses he is being offered will be acceptable.

If when he returns, you don't feel you have enough info, ring the course tutor for further info.....don't feel that you are unable to do that. better to push for adequate info than to make a mistake.

ChocolateWombat · 25/08/2014 20:00

NOT to agree to anything at the meeting, is what I meant to type,

Kez100 · 25/08/2014 21:17

Thanks.

Medibeagle · 26/08/2014 09:23

I really feel for him, it must be so upsetting.

I hope you can find a college that will let him take some A Levels.

Kez100 · 27/08/2014 00:37

We probably could have found a college that would let him take A levels. Actually, this one would - just not his Physics choice! Overall, taking A levels was possible but very restricted. Yes, he could have walked out, but loves it there and always has. So, he has chosen to do his love - IT as a Diploma which is Level 3 and for two years but he can jump off after year one if he wishes. Alongside, he will resit the higher Maths which he let himself down so badly on. Try and achieve his predicted grade. He is very happy.

I went with him in the end - most parents seemed to be there today with their children (which was not the case with the interviews), so I went along. They were brilliant and gave as much time as necessary - we were there for nearly 45 minutes.

ChocolateWombat · 27/08/2014 14:52

Glad to hear things have worked out.
Glad to hear too that they were helpful and gave you as much time as needed. With these big decisions, children really need their parents.
Hope he had a great year.

FrancesNiadova · 27/08/2014 21:48

Had our meeting at college today, (finally!) Sorted out with 3 science AS/A levels. Awful to put kids who have done well through this. Thank goodness it's all sorted out.
Thanks to those who were positive.

OP posts:
ChillySundays · 27/08/2014 22:09

Glad you have sorted it.
Hope all goes well.

Cuckoocloud · 27/08/2014 23:16

Good luck to your son Frances

Kez100 · 28/08/2014 14:51

Pleased you are all sorted. Good luck to your son - hopefully he is buzzing to get there now - I know my son is! I'd be really interested to know how he gets on as my son has the option to jump onto A levels (inc Physics) next year if he nails a much better Maths result.

(His BTEC is a two year one but each year has a certified qualification so he doesn't have to do both years - although at present he fully intends to carry on that route).

FrancesNiadova · 02/09/2014 09:14

FlowersThank you everyone. Your ideas & support were amazing. Thanks

OP posts:
LaQueenOnHerHolibobs · 02/09/2014 18:55

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kez100 · 02/09/2014 22:08

It seems as if the school are now happy with his choices, so I wish him well.

My son did choose to change his and is studying a Diploma in IT alongside resitting GCSE higher Maths. Depending how it goes, there are lots of options then open to him from apprenticeships to degrees which he is really happy with. In fact, he cannot wait to start on Thursday.

Poppies1969 · 30/08/2017 21:35

My son got 5 GCSE passes including 4s for maths/English which Justine Greening has said counts as a C but he isn't allowed to do A Levels as they discard the 5 passes and look at the overall score which needs to be 4.8 to 5.2 - this is very confusing! He hasn't got to do resits but has been offered 2 level 3 Btecs in subjects he has never studied before and one level 2???

happy2bhomely · 30/08/2017 21:51

My son got A7BBBBBCCD in his GCSEs this year.

He was not allowed to continue with Chemistry or History because he got B in Chem and C in History. He pleaded with them to do Chemistry but they said no way.

He got the A/7 in Maths and Biology so will be doing Maths, Economics, Business and Biology for A level.

Officially the entry requirements are 5 A-C grades but the reality is that this is only to study BTEC in Sport.