Advice on Alevel School report please. Any teachers please

[Queenofthesilverdollar]

DS is in Yr 12. He is doing Alevel Eng lit, politics and history. He has been looking at uni and has set his heart on QMUl to do international relations and politics which you need AAB for. His school report at Xmas said he was predicted 3 Bs. I know it was an estimate and was only after a term and he moved to the school for 6th form so it doesn’t seem unreasonable for him to aim for AAB . Is that right sorry first child and neither husband or I have been to university want him to achieve his dreams but not stress too much. What would be the difference between a B and an A how can we help him

That is not too big a stretch to be fair. What is he reading outside of the work set for him? For politics - is he keeping up with current affairs. He should be reading articles from all sides of the political spectrum and from across the globe. Simple think to do is to go on the BBC new site - click politics - read everything.

Have a look at MOOCs too - free online course - always good to study and mention in UCAS application. Is he involved in politics himself? Any links with local parties, any chance of work experience?

www.mooc-list.com/tags/international-politics

Thank you so much. He is member of labour but not much doing at moment. Been on a few marches. Reads a lot - obsessed with American politics in particular

Will share link Thank you

He is doing a good combination of A levels for that degree. If he got good GCSE grades that will also help when they look at his application.

It would be a good idea to find out of his school have any kind of gifted and talented programme or a programme for students applying to Oxbridge - even if he isn't they may well send those students on masterclasses or hold extra sessions for them on tips for applying - if he can get onto those sorts of events he will find it really helpful. The Sutton Trust is a useful place to look for help too.

Some unis used to (still might) look at reducing offers for students who are the first generation to go to uni - don't know if Queen Mary do - might be worth looking at their website.

Some unis used to (still might) look at reducing offers for students who are the first generation to go to uni - don't know if Queen Mary do - might be worth looking at their website.
There’ll be a section about contextual offers on the website.

For English Literature, I find it helps to think of studying literature like an ongoing conversation about the text.People have been discussing this text for years, your son's essay on a text is part of the ongoing conversation.Therefore his contribution explores what has been said before and offers his informed opinion.
A key part of this then, is to read what others have said about the set text and think about if he agrees, or not and why.Researching the historical context of the set text is also very illuminating. My A grade students do this and our exam board AQA states that they are interested in the students' (informed!)thoughts on the text, not just a regurgitation of their teacher's thoughts!

Thanks everyone

Is he doing an EPQ? I've heard some unis allow one grade down if they get a good epq result.

Make sure he includes the fact he is first generation on his personal statement.

And if he can, do an epq. It get started on it early!

I don’t know what am EPQ is?

EPQ - extended project qualification. A bit like a mini dissertation, an independent research project. It is worth, in UCAS terms 50% of an A level. Many universities drop their entry requirements if a high grade has been achieved. Likely to be run as part of the sixth form enrichment programme.

His school says it does an extend programme as epq. This was done in first yetm and he passed but no % score. So I am not sure it’s the same

An EPQ is a lot of work. He would know if he’d done it. With those 3 essay heavy subjects he may not have been offered the EPQ. Many schools don’t offer it at all and even those that do, not everyone takes it up. Some schools offer similar less intensive ‘extended projects’. Our school makes their own version compulsory but it doesn’t count for anything.

I’ve dropped an email to school asking if they could give us some advice- they seem pretty good like that. Thanks everyone for help. I suppose COVID will make all this different too. I’m just glad and proud he’s stuck with it all and has been so chilled - it’s so so tough for them