Moving schools for Sixth Form

[amberdog]

DS has just got GCSE results. Passed 4 inc English (4) and Maths (5), but not enough to stay where he is for Sixth Form - high achieving school. He could have done better if he'd worked, but left it too late and even then didn't do enough. He struggles with organisation, concentration, is bright but can't translate his knowledge onto paper. He also doesn't deal well with change...
He has a place at a local Sixth Form to do A level Business Studies and BTec in ICT and Performing Arts. Not really his choices as such, more what was available to him with his results. He doesn't know what he wants to do, so a college course wasn't really an option.
I am worried about so many things. The school he is going to doesn't have that good a reputation academically, but I think they will stick with him. He does better with support. He could have gone to a school that was better on paper (results, Ofsted etc) but I was concerned that he would be bottom of the pile there. No idea whether that was the right decision. I'm also worried whether he's up to an A level in Business Studies with his results? Anyone got any experience of this? His self esteem has never been high, he has been crushed by getting kicked out and I'm dreading this move not being right for him. I don't know whether to see how he goes, give him time to settle in or whether to be on him from day one to stay on top of his work, knuckle down. It was all but impossible to make him work for his GCSEs. Any advice/experiences would be most welcome

The new spec requires the assessment of quantitative skills will include at least Level 2 mathematical skills as a minimum of 10% of the overall marks for this qualification

which means his maths needs to be at the level to allow him to

QS 1 calculate, use and understand ratios, averages and fractions
QS 2 calculate, use and understand percentages and percentage changes
QS 3 construct and interpret a range of standard graphical forms
QS 4 interpret index numbers
QS 5 calculate cost, revenue, profit and break-even
QS 6 calculate investment appraisal outcomes and interpret results
QS 7 interpret values of price and income elasticity of demand
QS 8 use and interpret quantitative and non-quantitative information in order to make decisions
QS 9 interpret, apply and analyse information in written, graphical and
numerical forms

he will also need to memorise the different ratios used.

One of the main factors though that I always stress as one of the most important things when studying Business (no longer studies on the end!) is that the student takes an active interest in current affairs/news; the quantitative skills can be practiced

Thanks tt. He doesn't really know what he wants to do. I'm fine with that, I'd just like him to keep his options open whilst he finds out.
I have felt all along that there is some issue. He really struggled to settle when he moved to secondary school and his behaviour deteriorated. I could see that it was anxiety. School were convinced it was ADHD. We got an NHS referral. He didn't meet the criteria for ADHD and with more positive support rather than punishment, he eventually settled. The school's SENCO with some encouragement form the Paediatrician came up with a pupil profile on the basis of which he was allowed to use a laptop for exams. I wouldn't be at all surprised if there was something else going on, but there has never been a diagnosis. I might have a conversation with the SENCO at the new school once he starts. Anyone else had any experience of this?

He doesn't know what he wants to do, so a college course wasn't really an option.

Are you sure that a college course doing a L3 Extended Diploma might not be a better option for his future than an A level and 2 unrelated BTECs? For example there are Business or ICT related BTECs. They could give him one proper skills rather than a mishmash?

His GCSE results don't really signify likely success at the A level I wouldn't have thought. BTECs are more assignment focussed, but all now have some exams.

Or an apprenticeship?

Plus I agree consider looking into dyspraxia or similar.

Thanks cricketballs that's really helpful. Will drop the studies...I'm a dinosaur ;-)
I'm not so much concerned about his maths ability as how much extended writing is required. He's not great at organising his ideas, essay writing. Better at problem solving.
The current affairs angle is useful. We get a newspaper every day (told you we were dinosaurs...) so that's a start.

Do you have any Further Education Colleges locally? Having GCSE Maths and English is great and really important for the next step. An FE college should offer a range of BTEC courses at level 3 - he might find one of interest to him. He could then progress to University. At interview you could also explore organising some additional support if needed.

Thanks TeenTimesTwo and TeaontheLawn. We did look at the local college. They offer several good Level 3 courses. We looked at Business, ICT and Computer Games Design but he didn't want to commit to any of these subject areas. The A Level and two Btecs is meant to keep his options open.

I'd agree that he might be better with an extended level 3 in something he enjoys. Mixing and matching can cause confusion with employers and UCAS. Is dyspraxia a possible consideration, is the new school promising to support him?

I agree with LIZS that it is an odd combination which University and employers might not understand. I would suggest it is the time to have a bit more focus. For Uni he would be best served with DDD* from an Extended Diploma. BTEC Business is quite broad based (you could find a syllabus from an OCR or Edexcel website to give you an idea). I would concentrate on building his self esteem and focusing on one programme area rather than overloading with 3 different subjects/types of assessment etc. I don't teach business but I do teach BTEC in an FE setting supporting young people into university/employment.

That should read DDD*

Grrrrrr. ..3 distinction 'star'

Tea That would be D D D* Formatting someone clever and hard working enough to get that comes up quite often!