Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Post 16 study - what if your child doesn't like anything?

29 replies

RedskyLastNight · 09/10/2019 07:50

Starting to look at Post 16 options for DS.

He would like to do Geography A Level.
And that's it.

I've pointed out if he does A Levels, he needs to do 2 more.

He ummed and ahhed for an age and said "Maybe Physics". DS has spent the last 2 years telling me how much he hates physics (though to be fair some of that is the teacher).
I point out if he does Physics, he will need to do maths. He pulls a face and says that would probably be ok.

He's not interested in the other sciences. He hates writing essays so anything that involves volume of writing is out. He would consider Computer Science but that's not offered in many places (and not at his current school, where he'd quite like to stay).

He's not interested in any BTec subjects. He has no idea what he might do as a future job.

He "should" (if he puts in the volume of work required) get a mix of 4-7s at GCSE. But he's lazy and disinclined to work.

Help!

OP posts:
Preggosaurus9 · 09/10/2019 07:55

Looking at careers should be a priority. A levels aren't an end unto themselves!

Do you expect him to go to university? If so look at Geography degree courses see what the entry requirements are. Take those subjects.

noblegiraffe · 09/10/2019 07:55

Ask the school if they can arrange a meeting with a careers advisor.

Has he visited any colleges? I have to say that a mix of 4-7s, lazy and disinclined to work doesn’t scream successful A-level candidate at me (especially not in maths where a 7 would mean he would need to work his arse off to get anywhere).

clary · 09/10/2019 08:04

Yes agree with Noble, 4-7 diesnt sound like a massive A level success tbh.

At my DCs' school he'd need 6/7 in all three A level choices which may be a bit if an ask by the sound of it. Does he fancy any if the subjects you can pick up at A level eg sociology, psychology?

If I were you I would look at college courses, there may well be something focused on computing which he can do on its own or alongside geography. Or have you thought about an apprenticeship?

Thistly · 09/10/2019 08:07

If his only interest is geography, look at careers relating to that field.
Have you noticed a gap between his verbal intelligence (discussion) and written ability?
The ‘lazy and doesn’t like writing essays’ could have something underlying to rule out like dyslexia.
Its a shame if the gcse options he has taken are not inspiring him. Was there anything he’d have liked to do but couldn’t because of constraints? I ask in case there’s any chance he could pick that back up later.
Some young people need time to mature into their interests, and an apprenticeship or vocational course at college can be helpful in clarifying interests which might generate a bit of motivation

Original poster
RedskyLastNight · 09/10/2019 08:08

Thanks for responses. He has an appointment with careers advisor set up. Geography degree courses don't seem fussed about "other" subjects. I think he likes the idea of going to university, but again not sure (see no idea what he wants to do).

As he has no idea what he wants to do, I've suggested he should study things he likes. Which is tricky when he only likes one things!

noble I agree with you as to whether he is A Level student material. He should be capable of 6s and 7s (or higher) in all his subjects but his work ethic is somewhat "erratic". He's sincerely told me that he intends to make a real effort in Year 11, so I think we need to keep options open at this stage.
He is predicted a 7 in maths (I'm a mathematician myself and would be discouraging him from even thinking about maths A Level with anything less). I will be saying to him that if he's serious about maths A Level he really needs to be seeing if he can work towards a higher grade.

OP posts:
LittleSweet · 09/10/2019 08:09

What about Environmental science?

Kyvia · 09/10/2019 08:12

Agree look at what he wants to do after 18, what job or career he might be interested in. My brother liked geography in school and went for a career in planning, it was a specific university degree, he’s done very well.

Kyvia · 09/10/2019 08:13

Oh and think he did economics A-level with geography and something else.

Velveteenfruitbowl · 09/10/2019 08:17

It’s very important to be able to write. If he is struggling with essays and not going to do well academically anyway then he should take an English/history type subject and get the most out of A levels at least.

TeenPlusTwenties · 09/10/2019 09:07

When you say 'not interested in any BTEC subjects', how far afield have you looked? I am lucky where we are in Hants as we have a number of 6th form colleges accessible which gives a wide choice.

He shouldn't just be thinking what his school offers. He needs to be thinking about what he wants to do for 6th form and in the future.

If he wants Computer Science he needs to move to a school/college that offers it.

Geography, Sociology, Computing? Business Studies?
BTEC Extended Diploma in Computer Science?
BTEC Extended Diploma in Land and Wildlife Management?

What are his hobbies / interests? That might indicate a BTEC direction.

TeenPlusTwenties · 09/10/2019 09:10

And I respectfully totally disagree with velvet . Doing an A level he is not going to succeed in just to improve seems an unusual approach to say the least. Failing or getting a poor result will prevent/hinder university entrance and won't be helpful in the job market either. Succeeding with a BTEC is more likely to open future doors than failing at A levels.

Original poster
RedskyLastNight · 09/10/2019 09:13

Seems strange advice Velveteen - why would you pick an A Level that involved something you hate/are not very good at? You wouldn't tell a child that was poor at maths that it's important to be numerate so perhaps they should take maths A level?

Thistly that's an interesting point re dyslexia. He has very strong verbal skills (could argue black is white; got Distinction in GCSE English oral talking about a non-standard subject!) - how would I go about getting him tested?

There was nothing he couldn't do at GCSE that he wanted to do, though I've suggested considering Sociology, Psychology or Politics which don't need the GCSE to do at A level (though some of these will fall foul of the no essay "rule").

OP posts:
tinierclanger · 09/10/2019 09:23

I definitely wouldn’t recommend Sociology or Politics if he’s essay-avoidant! Shame though as in terms of content they would be great if he’s good at discourse. It doesn’t leave many options though. Languages? Is that an option?

Original poster
RedskyLastNight · 09/10/2019 09:28

Teen we've looked (online) at a few local offerings including the local sixth form college that focuses more on vocational courses. Also suggested apprenticeships. Hoping that seeing some of these places in person (open days not till later on) might open his eyes a little bit!

OP posts:
TeenPlusTwenties · 09/10/2019 09:41

What hobbies/interests does he have?

Grumpyperson · 09/10/2019 10:24

OP I just did a google of "what subjects go well with A level geography" and came up with

Geology
Environmental science/studies
Biology
Economics
Business studies

Grumpyperson · 09/10/2019 10:25

Or a diploma in criminology and/or law?

For examples, see www.qmc.ac.uk/courses/social-sciences

which could be studied alongside Geography A level

pikapikachu · 09/10/2019 15:26

At our school people who predominantly get grade 4-6 are encouraged to do BTEC while the people who primarily get 6+ are encouraged to do A-levels. I've had 1 kid pick BTEC/A-level combination and 1 kid pick A-levels. I went to a school where everybody did A-levels so was nervous about BTECs but they proved brilliant for my Ds who was a stay under the radar and study at the end kind of student for GCSE. He took Business which had exams for some modules and written assessments for others. There was no room for hiding as he always had deadlines or tests. He's now at uni studying Business.

milliefiori · 09/10/2019 15:34

Are there any large sixth form colleges he could visit? They may have a much wider range of subjects on offer than his school. If he's not hugely academic, does he like subjects like D&T or Food Prep & Nutrition? Both of these are starting points for careers in thriving industries in building/design or catering & hospitality.
What are his interests outside the classroom? If he enjoys gaming, might he be interested in coding or artwork and game design or creative writing and storylining?

InTropicalTrumpsLand · 09/10/2019 15:37

I'm not English, so I don't know what is actually studied in each subject for GCSEs, but could you have a look at what would be studied in Biology for A Levels?
If he likes Geography, there's plenty in Biology that might interest him: geology, archeology, some aspects of Ecology that deal with biomes, populations and communities. Even genetics have some applications, such as the use of hybrids in crops due to their increased resistance, things like that.

Thistly · 09/10/2019 15:51

Dyslexia.

It is a challenge getting schools interested in screening for dyslexia these days. If the school are not interested, look at tour local dyslexia association. They can offer help and advice

www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/contact/find-a-local-dyslexia-association

PandaTurtle · 09/10/2019 16:39

If he likes geography and computing there's quite a lot of civil service jobs in GIS/mapping. Looked incredibly dull to me but people who did it seemed to like it.

If he wants to do computer science took would look at finding somewhere with that as an option, if he wants 3 maybe something like Business Studies might work. Maths would help the computing but a very challenging A Level and not for the half-motivated. DD is only year 9 but doing Business Studies and says they talk about current affairs like Brexit a lot. Economics would go too but quite theoretical and challenging until learnt the terminology.

If you can find out what part of geography he likes that might give a clue to careers like is it physical side or demographics etc?

LolaSmiles · 09/10/2019 16:46

A mix of 4-7 with his work ethic would also make me inclined to be cautious with an A Level pathway.

You could speak to the Head of Year as schools often have things available to support those at risk of being NEET after leaving. He may not be on their radar due to him getting enough grade 4s, but they may be able to book him a slot with an external advisor.

PandaTurtle · 09/10/2019 16:54

This says geography apprenticeships and may give a clue to further direction if he can identify which of these are interesting:

www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk/apprenticeship-by-school-subject/geography

lljkk · 09/10/2019 20:18

My uni degree is basically computing + geography, so I'm all for that.
BTEC computing is an option if he can't do computing A-level.

Math & stats are the other things that would have helped me a lot.