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Original poster

A-level Biology distance learning?

17 replies

Vinniepolis · 23/08/2021 00:16

DD is very keen to do A-level Biology but missed out on her school’s 6th form minimum grade by 1…

I asked them to reconsider based on the fact she missed most of year 9 and a lot of year 10 due to mental health issues which the school knows about, including two periods in hospital. They have replied to say her teachers took her problems into account when awarding her grades 🙄.

Anyway, we are looking into the option of studying Biology via distance learning, in addition to taking 3 subjects in school - if the 6th form agrees that she can complete practicals in their labs. Has anyone done similar? Is there anything we should think of first? Any providers you can recommend?

(I know I am lucky to have money to throw at this problem, just like I threw money at the problem of her mental health by going private after CAHMS dismissed her as being “stressed” (understatement). She is sooooo much better now - I am just gutted it is still affecting her as the teachers don’t seem to want to look beyond her predicted grades at the beginning of GCSE.)

Thanks in advance for any tips!

OP posts:
Rummikub · 23/08/2021 00:25

I’d be looking somewhere else that would take her for A level biology. 3 plus 1 distance is a lot.

TeenMinusTests · 24/08/2021 18:28

What grade did she get?

Would any other local provider be likely to have lower requirements?
Our local v well respected gigantic 6th form college requires a 6.

I'm inclined to agree with Rum that 3 plus biology by distance sounds like a massive ask.

Original poster
Vinniepolis · 24/08/2021 18:55

She got a 5 in combined science (needed 6) but biology was always her strongest of the 3, and her biology teacher told her she could definitely manage A-levels. We don’t have many options for colleges where we live without travelling a fair distance, and this is the best one in the area anyway, so she doesn’t want to move. She sent a begging letter to the head of 6th form but he’s on holiday this week, so we shall see what happens next week! Thanks

OP posts:
TeenMinusTests · 24/08/2021 19:25

I can see why they might think a 5 not sufficient and it would be hard to persuade somewhere else too I would think.

Given her teacher thinks she could cope, could they let her start with 4 A levels incl Biology with an agreement that if she isn't coping with it by half term she drops it (and otherwise drops something else?)

Original poster
Vinniepolis · 24/08/2021 20:02

That’s a good suggestion, thanks.

OP posts:
titchy · 24/08/2021 22:55

The problem with a distance learning provider is that she's have to get her school to agree to endorse the practical elements for her.

myrtilles · 24/08/2021 22:56

I definitely wouldn't put your DD down for distance learning on top of three A levels. It would be harder to do a subject out of school and too much on top of three other subjects.
If her biology teacher thinks she can manage the A level maybe the Head of Sixth form will agree to her giving it a go.
If not I would just encourage her to choose an alternative subject that she has a higher grade in.

HasaDigaEebowai · 24/08/2021 22:58

4 A Levels one of those outside of school with a 5 sounds like a bad plan to me. It could easily drag down all of her grades.

hedgehogger1 · 24/08/2021 23:08

As an A level biology teacher I would strongly advise against it with a 5 at GCSE. I'm amazed her teacher suggested it. It's a massive increase in difficulty and a massive amount of work. She's better sticking with the other 3

54321nought · 24/08/2021 23:11

how could her school provide her with the materials and supervision and lab space that she would need to do the practicals?

I don't think you have any idea what you are asking

54321nought · 24/08/2021 23:12

There is really no way you could tackle Biolgy A level with a 5 in combined science

Has she considered going to college and retaking her GCSEs? Or doing BTEC?

BonnesVacances · 24/08/2021 23:18

Lots of DC who have missed school for health reasons do distance learning through a company called NISAI.

Original poster
Vinniepolis · 24/08/2021 23:58

For people saying she can’t possibly do Biology with a 5 in combined science, can you help me understand this: if she never got lower than a 6 in Biology tests etc, and usually 7s and 8s, then why does the fact she (probably) flunked Chemistry and got a 5 or 6 in Physics mean that she couldn’t cope with a Biology A-level? I do understand that it’s a tough subject and probably best to do it in school, but I am just looking into what is possible. I have already found a company near us that runs exams and practicals for A-levels, so that’s a hurdle that can be overcome and we don’t need the school to help us with that side of things. Thanks for the info @BonnesVacances, I will look them up.

OP posts:
54321nought · 25/08/2021 00:32

@Vinniepolis

For people saying she can’t possibly do Biology with a 5 in combined science, can you help me understand this: if she never got lower than a 6 in Biology tests etc, and usually 7s and 8s, then why does the fact she (probably) flunked Chemistry and got a 5 or 6 in Physics mean that she couldn’t cope with a Biology A-level? I do understand that it’s a tough subject and probably best to do it in school, but I am just looking into what is possible. I have already found a company near us that runs exams and practicals for A-levels, so that’s a hurdle that can be overcome and we don’t need the school to help us with that side of things. Thanks for the info *@BonnesVacances*, I will look them up.
She can't do Biology if she has flunked Chemistry, for a start

She has not done the whole Biology GCSE, which puts her at a disadvantage, she has only done combined

Which doesn't preclude A level completely, if she had a higher grade in it, but to only have done combined, and then to score so low, Biology is really not a good option for her

MadameMinimes · 25/08/2021 01:04

Having a 7s and 8s in individual tests is not the same as having a 7 or 8 in biology. Combined science means she has studied only 2/3 of the full biology gcse, and she’s unlikely to have covered all of the combined syllabus based on what you’ve said. If you add in weak chemistry, which is more important for A Level biology than physics, then I can see why they are saying no.
We require a 7-6 to do science and that’s standard around here. Someone with a 5 (not sure if it’s a 5-6, 5-5 or 5-4) would be a long way behind. We make bigger allowances for personal circumstances in humanities and arts subjects, but the sciences are spiral curricula. Gaps at GCSE mean you’re totally lost at A Level. It’s not like history or English where you start with a relatively clean slate learning new texts or topics from scratch.
I really wouldn’t recommend her trying to do it as an additional one outside of school. I think it would be a lot of stress. By all means, look for somewhere that would take her with a 5 to do her 3 preferred A Levels, but tacking on something as difficult as biology as a fourth choice for someone with significant gaps in their GCSE studies sounds like it would be incredibly stressful.

Philandbill · 25/08/2021 01:17

DD got an 8 in her GCSE biology and has found A level biology a huge challenge, so much so that we are paying for a tutor session each week. She's doing two other A levels (a social science and an arts based subject) and finds them much easier than biology. It's a difficult subject.

hedgehogger1 · 25/08/2021 09:50

A lot of my students complain at various times that it feels like they are studying chemistry not biology. There is a massive amount of chemistry in it. Just tell her no.

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