Help with choice A levels maths/physics/computing or BTech

[6thformcolleges]

Hoping for some advice on choices for 6th form. DS is in year 11 and has likely undiagnosed SEN. He has CATS scores in top 1% but failing to meet nearly all his targets at GCSE. He is on target to pass everything but mainly with 5s including both English (GCSE targets were all at least 7 due to high SATS).

Looking at options for 6th form. He loves physics and is on target for a 9. However maths likely only to be a 7 at best so thinking that wont work as he doesnt find the maths easy but not sure how much is the teacher and missing so much teaching and how much is him. He would prefer not to do maths but I think has to if he does physics.

He would prefer to do computing A level and computing BTech (plus the physics) and the college offer both computing. Are they complimentary or is it duplication? If just one then any opinion on which?

Our other thought is he does a level 3 BTech in computing and forgets A levels totally but a shame as he loves physics. However he would then easily meet the entry requirements and it would be less stressful. Any thoughts?

Thank you

He sounds like my ds, who sees no point in homework and won’t revise for much more than 25 mins at a time. He’s year 10, so we have a bit more time, but he’s also ADHD. Medication helped him focus but also made him feel low so he’s rejected it. I know ds would hate ongoing coursework as it would feel like harder work - but he might also put some work in as he would see the ‘point’, so I’m considering encouraging towards BTEC/a mixture.

Crazy - 25 minutes revision sound great!! Unless it is just once a year of course. If we had 25 minutes revision per test predicted grades might be all 9s. I didnt realize ADHD meds could make them depressed. Those I have known have had incredible success with it. Would a different brand have different side effects? Have you had any successful strategies with ADHD diagnosis for homework? It is frustrating isnt it|!

We’ve not really had the chance to try different medication. He gets reviews every 3-4 months but Sept19-Feb he was still working out that it made him feel low and then he didn’t use it during lockdown. We’re due another appointment in Dec so may ask for others suggestions then. To be honest, our main priority was concentration during class time and I feel he’s made progress but homework is a struggle.

The actual diagnosis has helped ds as he’s become more aware of how he works (hence the short bursts of revision - he just needs a few more short bursts!) and teachers are generally more accommodating and understanding.