To do 6 form over 3 years

[Fairycupcake]

Is it possible and how to go about it?

My DS has AS and a statement of SEN. He was initially offered a choice of 4 A levels with a view of doing 4 AS and continuing with 3 subjects to A2. DS wants to do an engineering degree and choisen Physics, Maths, Further Maths and German. The idea was to drop German after AS, as he is really wonky with literature and essay writing, so there is no long term prospects for him in studing a MFL. He might even struggle in the exams as they are required to write controlled assessments about literature and some essays in the exam paper. Physics was DS's strongest subject throuhout school, but he only gotten a B at GCSE.

So now the school refuses to enrol him in Physics and pushes him to study German all the way. In addition, they advise to reduce the number of subject from 4 to 3 to accommodate all the SEN provision activities. I totally sympathise with the latter idea and would grab it with both hands if it were Physics.

The problem is that 3 A levels including German is a very awkward mix for DS. It locks him out of Engineering, and potentially academic science career, which might be a good option for an aspie. It leaves him as a one trick pony with only Maths, so he will probably have no other option than to do IT. If DS would struggle with German literature, he may end up without 3 A levels and wouldn't be able to apply to uni...

DS is really upset about not doing Physics, he feels he is good and wants to prove it.

So the ideal set up would be to do all 4 subjects, but at a slower pace, to accommodate all the extra provisions. That way DS would have his options and could drop the weakest subject after AS without compromising his uni prospects. I read on a few threads that doing 6 form over 3 years is not unheard of for DC with SEN.

The questions are - would universities accept it?
Is it funded?
Can the school refuse such a request, how to go about it?

Why are the school pushing him to do German and not Physics? I think the real issue here is not whether he should do his A levels over two year or three but why he isn't free to focus on the subjects that will be most useful for his career plans. Has the school explained why they don't believe that Physics is the right choice for him, even though as you have pointed out, German is not a subject he enjoys or is likely to do well in?

Because admission requirement for A level Physics is an A at GCSE and DS got a B, although he was predicted A*.

Could he do Maths, Physics and FM over 2 years with no German at all? This could be suitable for engineering degrees but I advise you to check with some suitable universities first. They will have different offer levels for BEng and MEng so check the right courses. MEng courses will expect more.

Agree with missM - you need to argue for him to do physics, not argue for him to take three years. Or do you think they would somehow agree to physics if it was taken over three years?

You need to get his head of science on side. Why did he only get a B - was it one paper or the ISA that pulled his marks down?

Sixth forms don't like students taking three years because they don't get as much funding for the third year, so yes they are entitled to say no.

I posted before I read the B at GCSE in Physics. Your school is obviously poor at predictions! Presumably he is already doing AS work. I know someone who went to Durham with 3 AS levels, not 4. You may find 4 is not necessary for some courses at some Universities. Look at the former Polytechnics and see what they want but if his grades are on the lower side you need to look at BEng. What engineering courses at what universities were in clearing this year? This will give you a clue as to which universities might be more flexible as they are recruiting universities and likely to be less selective.

They will have different offer levels for BEng and MEng so check the right courses. MEng courses will expect more.

MillyMolly, do you mean MEng wil require an AS plus 3 A2? Do you also mean that universities will not like the 3 years?

The problem now is that the school doesn't offer him Physics and I need some options to discuss with the school. Nobody will like a D in German because the essay section will be left blanc on exam paper...

Lack of physics A-level doesn't entirely rule out engineering. If he could get three other A-levels (maths, further maths, economics/geography/business studies?) he could aim to do a foundation year like this one at Southampton (just the first one that came up when I googled).

But I agree that arguing for the three subjects he wants, rather than spending longer on one he doesn't, would be the way to go.

It sounds to me as though he is in the wrong school. If he is happier doing Physics and feels he can do well at it, then he should be studying it with teachers who support and value him.

It is all more complicated for a DS with a statement. The only subjects we could talk about are Maths, Physics and MFLs. But the school say no Physics.

How to argue about a subject the school doesn't offer? Is there any appeal procedure?

You must find put why he dipped in physics. Get a photocopy of the paper. Its maybe a marking error.

I too would have a look at where he dipped on the paper. Is it too late for a remark. How far away from an A was his mark.

My ds( 16) also has AS and is doing Maths, further Maths, Chemistry and Physics. He did get an A overall in Physics but all of his science ISA practicals were weak . He is poorly organised and probably did not inform teachers that he was entitled to extra time. He also lost his prep sheets.

If ds had got B, I certainly would have queried his practical results as he too was predicted an A*.

My ds also dipped in literature based exams.

Have you spoken to the Senco about how unmotivated your ds will be if he is doing German instead of his preferred choice Physics. I would certainly emphasise how he needs special consideration and how the subject choice they are now suggesting will limit him in the future especially as career prospects are harder for someone with autism.

Thank you for comments, I ordered the copies of the papers, so we will see eventually what went wrong.

In the mean time, could anyone help to deal with the question over 3 years. On what basis is it usually requested for statemented DC?
Anyone with experience of DC with SEN / statements getting 3 years? How was the decision made?

The school is already implementing a diluted version of A levels mix on DS by witholding a 4th subject. DS has 4 A*, they could have offered a different subject, but they are arguing he needs free time. Currently he has 5 free hours per week in his timetable. If their concern with the fourth subject is really the need for free time for provisions and independent learning, than 3 years is the answer.

feweek.co.uk/2013/12/10/funding-cut-in-pipeline-for-full-time-18-year-olds-as-spending-review-bites/

Info there is relevant
Does he have a statement?

He has a statement. So the state is £700 per year?

Currently with reduced hours for the withheld 4th subject DS is not accessing a full and broad based curriculum. He may end up without 3 A levels and I just realised that universities require 4 AS. DS is at a disadvantage. How can I remedy the situation?

stake

"Currently he has 5 free hours per week in his timetable. If their concern with the fourth subject is really the need for free time for provisions and independent learning, than 3 years is the answer."

Indeed, I also have a sense that this works well for DC with ASD. I am also thinking of A levels over 6 years for my statemented DS.

Would those hours of free time have an implication for the statement? How would the LA react?
Any Sencos out there?

MEng are higher level courses than BEng and will expect better A levels and at top universities definitely AAA and normally a Physics will be expected. However there are BEng courses where it often takes longer to become professionally qualified after the degree but the entry qualifications are a bit more relaxed and do accept Engineering Foundation courses. Sheffield Hallam want 260 points but they do want a science A level for BEng Mechanical Engineering, for example. I would have no idea what universities think about A levels in 3 years but I strongly suggest trying to do the Physics is best. Look into which type of Engineering and check where would be a good place to study it. Then speak to the University faculty. I do know someone who was ill and did 4 AS then 3 A2 over the next 2 years. She went to Kings College, London. The idea of the course at Southampton is a good one but I think you will find universities differ in their attitudes according to how popular the BEng course is. I was just trying to explain that MEng is the higher qualification and you might be better advised to check out the BEng courses because these universities might be more flexible. I think you need to get phoning.

OMG, indeedt here mightbe consequences for the statement.

Any SENCOs out there, could you suggest what the impact of DS having 5 free hours in the time table is likely to be for the statement?

I think this is about their results as much if not more than your son.

Is there an FE college near he could transfer to? Not saying transfer him, just tell the school you are thinking about it.

Also ask the school if he can attend the physics lessons but be entered for the exam at a college or another school, or even as a private candidate. They might allow this because then their place in the league tables isn't affected.

Also - not sure, just thinking about this, is he actually in FT education with this timetable? If not then maybe he could do physics at another school.