Will not doing A'levels hinder DS long term?

[MrsJamieFraser2]

My son received his GCSE results last week, and whilst he did very well, he didn't do well enough to get back into the 6th form at his selective grammar school.

He's adamant he's not doing any further education, i.e. not joining another school or college. He's very bright, just lazy! He's looking at apprenticeships, but I feel he will ultimately do better if he had a'levels. Even going into an apprenticeship at 18 and not going to university.

I'm torn between him going into an apprenticeship now and he perhaps doesn't achieve his full potential, or trying to speak to the school again regarding mitigating circumstances which didn't help him over the last 9 months.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

OP you say yourself that he's bright but lazy. Why be cross with the school because they want to be shot of a child who won't put the effort in? Why is his self-esteem in tatters because he didnt work and therefore didnt get the grades - that's cause and effect?

I wouldnt worry too much about what he does next as long as he does something. Even if its not what he wants to do eventually he's very young and can take a bit of time to find the right course/direction in life. And hopefully as he gets older he'll be able to motivate himself to do the work.

You're absolutely right but I think one of the key issues was that he's not academically strong enough for the school. I've taken the bull by the horns and contacted a secondary school in the next town which is far less academic and smaller class sizes. The head of 6th form is calling me on Monday to discuss options.

He will hate me though but one of us has to do something.