Starting Year 12 again - terrible idea or good solution?

[rumbleinthejungle]

DS1 has totally lost his way in Year 12. He made poor A level choices and has particularly struggled in his essay heavy subjects. He just got a U in his mock in one of these subjects.

He desperately wants to start his A levels again and change 2 of the subjects. We were very against this at first as we couldn't imagine him being motivated enough and he'd be out of step with his friends. However a turning point seems to be that he has decided he wants to be a Primary Teacher so now has a goal.

He"'ll probably come out with B, C/D, E, E/U in his AS levels so I don't know if it's even worth sitting 2 of the subjects. We've looked on the ucas site and there's very little that would be available to him.

Do you think starting again would be the best plan or can he salvage something from this year?

Thanks

If the OPs DS does sit his AS's and get poor marks these will have to declared if and when he fills out his UCAS application. If he doesn't take the exams at all then he doesn't have to declare them. I'm not sure it matters but maybe it's something to consider.

However, I think, that even if he gets low grades they will still count towards his UCAS tariff total for most 'points' universities. There is a new UCAS tariff in 2017 - I'm not sure if it changes anything but it might be worth checking.

Good point Don't BeAMeanie.

My DS is just coming to the end of his second year 12! The first was a disaster partly because he thought he could get through his AS levels with the same commitment he showed to his GCSE's (fairly limited although managed to get mostly A's with no work), and secondly he was too busy socialising to do any work. This year has seen a significant change. He changed schools. He is doing the same subjects although dropped one so only doing three which he will take on to A'level. I think this year has allowed him to mature and realise that he is in control of his own destiny. If he decides not to work then he knows what will happen. He is bright but lazy. In a way I am glad he has learnt this lesson in Year 12 and not in Year 13 or even worse at University, which will be a much more expensive mistake. I think it has helped him focus. In my sons first Year 12 - 40 students retook the year. It is not unusual and for some children a very good idea. Of course at the time I was horrified and really worried about it all, but I can safely say it was one of the best things that has happened to him. Hope this helps.

I have a friend whose son moved school and redid his Year 12 and had great success, it would be better to do that than leave school without decent exam results.

I have a friend whose son moved school and redid his Year 12 and had great success, it would be better to do that than leave school without decent exam results.

CakeAndWine It's good to hear that your son is doing well. Hopefully in a few years his year 12 blip will be a distant memory.

It is only worth starting again if there is likely to be a much improved outcome second time round. Many students who start again do as badly second time round I'm afraid....and then it's 2 years wasted.
I would ask to see the school with your son for a serious, honest chat about why he has done poorly this year and what the chances of things being different next year are......all of it Fter the exams......don't even raise the issue at this point.

My DCs school only allow a repeat of Y12 in exceptional circumastances.I think it is important to remember that sitting A levels is not like playing a fruit machine.You can't just hope you get luckier next time?
I am a bit about his maths too. Generally people go down a grade in Y13 or at best stay the same.