Applying for 6th form- presumably you state which AS levels?

[Tansie]

DS is about to apply for two sixth form colleges.I haven't seen the application form/s yet, but I'd assume he has to state which AS levels he wants to take there.

My question is- is every other Y11 being carefully guided and advised about which AS levels to take? DS doesn't appear to be at all! And the whole thing about Facilitating Subjects doesn't seem to have been raised; to the best of my knowledge, DS hasn't been sat down to discuss what he might apply for and whether they're a good idea or not!

Am I missing something?

Don't you just love education policy made on the fly?

Starting 4 with the option to do one for AS and carry on the rest to A2 seems reasonable. Frankly the universities seemed to manage with predicted grades in the past, and at the moment some kids underperform at AS so I'm not sure they're a wholly good idea other than as a way of keeping your options open and deciding which to do a lesser award in. Limiting the initial choice to 3 sounds too limiting - I'd hope that a physics/double maths combo would always allow for one more at least.

Sorry if I should know this, but where am I looking for this
Young people need to look at the informed choices booklet (updated) version plus the Trinity list (website)

Where / what is "the informed choices booklet" ?

While I'm asking daft questions - how can dd find out what all the different types of engineering are, and where she can get more information preferably before she chooses her A-levels ?

Backforgood
worth a bookmark
www.russellgroup.org/InformedChoices-latest.pdf

types of engineering :
here's a taster
www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/undergraduate/index.page

Thank you SO much

I'm assuming school would start talking about this after Christmas.

DS is sure he wants to stay at the same school, and do A'level (Yay, half the job done!) as has always wanted to do sciences.....but weirdly doesn't seem to enjoy maths.

In an ideal world he would like to do Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Geography. But that won't get him onto an engineering course. Anyone know what it is good for?

There are some kinds of engineering it would be good for, as well as Geology/Geophysics. BUT it is hard doing A'level Physics without Maths.

can't think of any sort of engineering which doesn't need maths, mummytime.

Not sure it'd be wise to do that combo without maths either, lynnette. Physics really needs it; chemistry you'd have to play catch up ; biology and geography I'm not sure but I'd have thought you might need some, stats maybe? Hm, would that combination work for some sort of ecology type thing?

Back - I'm a bit bewildered by the types of engineering too. My DD seems most interested in electronic/electrical but DH keeps wittering about 'mechatronics' courses . Then there's mechanical, chemical, aeronautical, civil, minerals .... maybe others, that southampton link seemed to have yet more. Does your DD have any sort of inkling what sort of thing she might be interested in? Maybe she could talk to the tech teachers - some of those may have been in industry of one type or another before teaching, I think most of DDs have.

The 'trinity' list alluded to is what Trinity college cambridge lists as 'acceptable combinations' - it's seen as something of a gold standard but be aware that other places have other criteria - often not quite as demanding but it's a good idea to look at specific courses/unis too. link

back - you might find some general info on engineering on the smallpeice trust website.

oh - just got email with invitation to the open day next week ' opportunity to talk in-depth with subject staff about the A levels on offer, as well as the current sixth formers' - and a talk from the HT.

Not long got back from ds's. I'm quite envious, there's so much he can do. The English A'level students meet on Sundays for a book club/go to the cinema/go to the theatre etc, language students go on exchanges, small groups, individual tutorials with the teachers too, lunch clubs etc. My 6th form was crap in comparison Wonderful opportunities though. There's another parents evening next week for advice on which subjects help with which uni courses.

Thanks Errol - we'll have a look.
No, she doesn't really know what she wants to do at University.
She knows she wants to do maths and physics(possibly further maths) but doesn't know to what end - it was me that suggested engineering she says vaguely as she's always been good at problem solving type way of working, but I don't feel I know enough about it to help her decide.
Careerwise, she wants to fly (literally, not metaphorically )