Options for the child who is only likely to get Cs?

[bangheadhere]

Dd1 is bright verbally but processing difficulties make her struggle on paper. A real head to paper issue.

Likely to get C in everything, maybe a B in creative subjects if they actually allow creative subjects by then.

Was reading another thread on here which basically said those not getting A or B are unlikely to get into college.

So what hope is there for dd? How do I encourage her to work hard if the only examples I have read are a dead end job at the end of it.

Things she is interested in...
Technical Theatre
Police and particularly dog handling
Karate.
Politics

Shes brilliant at wood work and drama but everything else is just ok.

Feeling a bit hopeless at the moment tbh.

Our local college wants BBCCC as minimum, and their entry requirements are higher than some. There's a lot of career counselling available in yr11 for those who are wiling to pursue it.

I have a DD with similar issues. She did get Bs in everything with a huge spread of grades for modules.
She is doing A levels but hates it.

Have a look at BTEC courses in performing arts, sound engineering/production, animal care etc at your local FE college.

The coursework, group work and presentations may really play to her strengths.

My younger DD spoke to really helpful police officer at careers evening. She said to join the police cadets at 16 and you can apply to join police from 18. You can't even apply to be a police dog handler until you have been a regular officer for at least 2 years and the vancancies are erratic, so you have to want to be a police officer anyway.

If she gets mostly Cs at GCSE, A-levels probably aren't for her, but a BTech would be a possibility. DS1 (Y11) has applied for a BTech where the entry requirements are 4 C grades including Maths and English.

Cross-posted with Need and Chilly

Please don't feel hopeless OP. If the thread is the one I am thinking, people were saying (rightly) that A levels are not for students who won't get Bs or preferably As.

But there are all kinds of college options. Don't say "only" Cs either (I am sure you don't to DD) - many kids would be delighted with a batch of Cs. Inlcuding my DS1! He manged CCDDDEEF which we were delighted with (various issues for him too) and he is really getting on well at the local college where he is studying NVQ in catering.

If he had got all Cs he would be on a higher level qualification. There are all kinds of courses out there, or she could find an apprenticeship with day release to college. Look what the police offer (I have no idea but there must be openings). Or if she is good at DT then would she enjoy a practical skills-based role - mechanic/electrician/builder - all well possible with a college diploma/NVQ etc.

DS1's course requirement was DD (in maths and English) and he got in with his E in English!

Massive x-post sorry!

No i definately think A levels are not the way to go for her.
About to have options evening.
Already at police cadets as we have a 13 to 18 unit here. Good to know about the two year thing for dog handling thank you.
Incidently do you need certain grades to apply for the police at 18?

No i don't say only Cs to dd Clary. Dd has already got it in her head Cs are rubbish and therefore she is rubbish where as I try to build her up that Cs are great and the stepping stone she needs.

We haven't even talked about a levels. She would HATE it.

I think people may be referring to competitive university courses, not BTECs at local colleges, when they say C grades are too low. There are certainly Theatre technician and stage management courses that she could look at where experience would count for a lot. What about teaching Karate? I think you need to explore what is out there rather than thinking she can't do anything.

I think getting into the Police can be difficult, however. I know people who have waited years but some Police forces might be more difficult than others.
There is no reason why you cannot see what your local force looks for.

Politics? She can always help out in the office of the local party she supports and canvass for them. Very few politicians these days are not highly educated but local politics is possibly less demanding. Get involved with the parish/town council for starters! Getting paid work in politics is highly competitive and usually requires a top degree but there is no reason why she cannot volunteer locally and work up.

Lastly, be positive. Half the population does not go to university. There are opportunities for others at colleges and in the work place. She just has to decide what area of work she really wants, and go for it.

Carpenters, plumbers, engineering and it technicians, joiners are not dead-end jobs. Require practical skills and business sense but don't need more than Cs at entry. Lots more earning potential and personal satisfaction than many disappearing white collar jobs. Have a search on apprenticeships.gov to see what's available

I agree with Second Cs for GCSEs with difficulty getting stuff down on paper would mean a struggle at A level.

Other options are BTECs and Apprenticeships.

DD1 is doing a level 3 BTEC (A level equivalent). We have been surprised by the amount of writing required (DD has dyspraxia and struggles to organise thoughts on paper and see level of detail required). I suspect it depends on the BTEC though.

You can also start with a Level 2 BTEC (especially if needing to retake Maths or English).

BTECs that might suit her interests are (off the top of my head)

• Uniformed Public Services
• Drama
• Animal Care
• Outdoor Pursuits

With apprenticeship they are working from the off, and getting paid a nominal wage, with day release to college, working towards a qualification.

What year is she in at the moment?

The better grades she gets, the more choices she will have at 6th form. So encourage her to keep going.

She would love to teach karate. She is brilliant with the little ones there. I am not entirely sure how viable financially it is though.

I have always been very positive with her in a ok you want to do this lets look at how we can do it. But she has somewhat given up and it is dragging me down too.

Sorry i am xposting massively with everyone but i am reading and taking ideas on board thank you!

Teaching karate sounds great. I think many people are starting to have a more fluid approach to careers. I know a guy who is an extra in movies, an athletics coach/ personal trainer and massage therapist, none of these would be a way of making a full time living but he juggles the three very successfully and loves his work.

I only got c's at GCSE, I was a bit of a messer with little interest in doing what I was supposed to be doing! I did stay on and do A Levels, I did better as I had fewer subjects than at GCSE. I went on to do a degree and a Masters so don't rule higher level education out completely. What is DD interested in doing. What are her career choices?

Not getting As and Bs is not the end of the world. Yes, it does make things more difficult in the short term but if she finds something she likes and works hard the sky is the limit.
I feel sorry for kids these days, there is so much pressure and emphasis put on grades many of them feel like failures at 16.

Btec sports science?

Good to know some alternatives but you won't really know until results day!

DD currently looking at apprenticeships. There are some fantastic,schemes post gcse and post A level. If she's interested in this,route I'd highly recommend The Skills Show at the NEC which we visited at the,end of last year. Loads of career options in engineering, manufacturing etc

It is worth noting that BTEC level 3 courses from September 2016 will have an external assessments as well as the traditional coursework units (level 2 already have external tests)

I work with our local education business partnership and witness schools who are rubbish at letting students know about options that are not A-levels. There are a whole host of level 3 post 16 choices that often have 3-5 GCSEs as their entry options and there are level 2 options that have lower entry requirements.

Apprenticeships
Btechs
National diplomas
NVQs

Was reading another thread on here which basically said those not getting A or B are unlikely to get into college.

I don't think anyone said that or even implied it. From what I read, people were saying that your future career/education options are more limited that if you had better grades. It may be harder to get into the course/job you want or may take you longer to get there by a different route, i.e. different college or different courses.

Many college courses have limited places, so it's down to competition for the limited places available on popular courses. On the other thread, people were rightly saying that just because the course info says that the minimum requirements are Cs doesn't mean that you'd get a place if you met that requirement - other applicants may have better grades and may therefore be higher up the list. Also, different colleges and courses have different selection criteria.

It's possible that a rake of Cs will be fine for what the OP's child wants to do, but they really do need to appreciate that just because a college/employer states Cs as minimum requirement doesn't mean they'll automatically accept everyone with Cs. If they only have 10 places, then those places will go to the best 10 applicants, maybe decided on grades, maybe on mix of GCSEs, maybe on interview ability - depends on how they select.

Get all psychological assessments in place if you think there are issues (for future proof if necessary)

Try to nail the English and Maths at highest grades posdible

Encourage other life skills like communication, reliability, independence, self motivation. Etc. These are all really important to land work.

Consider her extra curricular. Is there a way she can work or volunteer at a summer or Saturday job to make her and interviews more interesting.

Do a BTEC after leaving school at 16 in an area of passion and talent
Or apprenticeship

Then, as she gets older and achieves hopefully at level 3 or in an apprenticeship different options will raise their head - University, Apprenticeship and work.

There are so many millions of job roles don't try now to fit her into one. Let that happen as it happens.

Definitely look at Btechs. They are a route to all kinds of courses and jobs. By the way, I noticed theatre technician. If she's quite DT/art oriented, have a look at the requirements for stage design at Wimbledon Art School as an example. They put the emphasis on the portfolio and interview and suggest several different routes to entry. As long as you get the C in English and maths, there are definitely options.