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Secondary education

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

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Original poster

Is it worth it applying for sixth form if gcse's are not great?

63 replies

jennybba · 17/03/2023 20:48

If you are predicted mainly 4's, 3 5's and a 2 and 3 is it worth it applying for sixth form (sixth form will accept dc as long as average grade is 4 or more)? Is there any hope of possibly getting decent a-levels? What kind of a-levels can we expect with these grades? And if a-levels are not great can dc still go to university?

OP posts:

underneaththeash · 17/03/2023 21:00

No, I’d look at alternative qualifications. There are loads. You can still get to uni with other qualifications.

Luredbyapomegranate · 17/03/2023 21:03

There are lots of vocational routes, have a look at those. Scraping into a second rate university and getting into a load of debt for a degree that won’t be worth much is not a good plan.

Do they have an idea of what they might be interested in?

Dodgeitornot · 17/03/2023 21:08

There's so many amazing vocational qualifications that are suitable for kids like this. A Levels is really a difficult route and not the only route into university. I think a child with grades like this would find A Levels miserable. Lots of Sixth Forms offer BTECs though, have you looked into that?

Nesoi · 17/03/2023 21:20

At DSs 6th form you have to have a 6 at GCSE to study a subject at A Level, they wouldn’t have allowed anyone on A Levels with 3s and 4s or 5s.
A Levels are a big jump up from GCSE and many students struggle, DS has found it hard.
i think you would be better off looking at BTECS.

Choconut · 17/03/2023 21:23

DS got 8's and 9's and is finding it a big step up, so I wouldn't do A-levels with those grades, there are lots of other options.

HarrietSchulenberg · 17/03/2023 21:24

What does your DC want to do long term? My DS2 was predicted 5s and 6s with 1 x 7, actually got 1 x 8, 1 x 7, 3 x 5s, 2 x 4 and 1 x 3. Did A levels, got A* (subject he lives for), A & B, and now studies the subject he loves at university.
Having an end goal helped him massively as he really hauled his socks up to get to uni.
It's do-able with the right effort.
Youngest DS is doing GCSEs this year. Has mainly 4s and 5s predicted and has sights set on BTEC at college followed by apprenticeship in the field he loves.

titchy · 17/03/2023 21:25

Look at other colleges for BTEC courses as well. You can apply for both.

Bobbybobbins · 17/03/2023 21:26

Agree that Btec are worth looking in to and often you can do a mix of both.

Oblomov23 · 17/03/2023 21:50

Probably not. Depends on school, ours was particularly competitive and only very good grades would get you in.

Rummikub · 17/03/2023 21:54

I’d ask how hard are they working to achieve those grades. If at near full capacity then potentially A levels will be harder for them.

If cruising through and getting these grades then yes capable of A levels but would need to up their motivation to work.

Any ideas as to what they want to do? Uni is an option with average grades. See what’s out there.
BTECs are a good option and can give a route into uni still.
Apprenticeships are great too.

T levels are new and unis are beginning to state their requirements from these.

Original poster

jennybba · 17/03/2023 22:03

dc wants to go to sixth form though, but I'm not too sure. Anyone knows what kind of a-level grades dc is likely to get with these gcses grades?

OP posts:

Dodgeitornot · 17/03/2023 22:08

There's plenty of sixth forms that do vocational courses. Your child will be miserable in A Levels and is very unlikely to pass with those grades, in any A Level.

titchy · 17/03/2023 22:08

Possibly D or E grades depending on subject. Science A level from a grade 5 could well be a fail, Media or Sociology could be a D. Ballpark obviously.

Does the sixth form only offer A levels? Applying elsewhere as a back up should be something he does anyway. Never have all eggs in one basket.

Marchforward · 17/03/2023 22:10

jennybba · 17/03/2023 22:03

dc wants to go to sixth form though, but I'm not too sure. Anyone knows what kind of a-level grades dc is likely to get with these gcses grades?

He probably won’t get any grades which is why most sixth forms wouldn’t let him on the course.

Rummikub · 17/03/2023 22:18

Apply for sixth firm
plus a back up or two.

Hopefully gives a target for the exams and reason to revise.

Rummikub · 17/03/2023 22:21

The suggestion is A levels are a 2 grade drop from GCSE grade. So grade 4 at GCSE translates to E at A level. Some do better with lots hard work.

Cabbageontheside · 17/03/2023 22:23

We have a pretty inclusive policy on A level entry (would make many on here faint) and even so he would be the wrong side of on the cusp for entry. We would suggest a double award BTEC with 1 A level alongside. However, you have nothing to lose by applying. Does he have particular subjects in mind? Are they new ones he will be more motivated by? Has he investigated options outside of A Level study.

Allmarbleslost · 17/03/2023 22:25

No. A levels are a big step up from gcse.

MyBloodyMaryneedsmoreTabasco · 17/03/2023 22:28

DD got higher grades than your predicted ones but is really struggling. She shouldn't be doing A levels really, but has absolutely no idea what she wants to do, so decided she'd rather try A levels in a familiar place than start somewhere different to do a course she doesn't want to do.

validnumber · 17/03/2023 22:31

People are suggesting Btecs but I'm not sure what level they are suggesting?
There are three different levels for Btecs!
A Btec level 3 extended diploma will require higher entry grades than a Btec level 2 for example.

MerryMarigold · 17/03/2023 22:34

I would probably opt for college courses with those grades or apprenticeship. However, it depends on the kid. My DS was a 5/6 (one grade 7) and he's doing ok at A level (B/C). He doesn't want uni. He wanted to stay in till 6th form as it's safe for him, his friends were there, it's very close to our house. He isn't very mature or confident so we felt it was the best option for him to give him a bit more growing up time. On the other hand, DS's friend who is in Y11 now has got an apprenticeship with a great company starting after GCSE. The post A level apprenticeship this company offers is ridiculously competitive (think 3A* and a lot of drive!) so it's actually easier to get in post GCSE. There's so many things out there. I got very excited looking for DS but he just didn't have the confidence to go for any of the courses I found which involved quite long commutes.

Rummikub · 17/03/2023 22:34

validnumber · 17/03/2023 22:31

I’m suggesting level 3 BTEC from those grades.

MoFoFlo · 17/03/2023 22:34

DD is mainly predicted 4 - 6s and is working really hard for them. She's been offered a place at her preferred sixth form college. Subjects and courses don't have to be confirmed until registration, but she's planning to do a mix of Btec level 3 and A-levels. They've asked for two GCSEs at least grade 6 and another four at least grade 4.

TomeTome · 17/03/2023 22:36

I think they’ll really struggle so if it was one of mine I’d suggest one Alevel and Btech if you can find something that will interest them.

EllaB22 · 17/03/2023 22:42

You would ideally want a 7 in a subject thats an a level choice to have the right foundation and pre knowledge to be successful.

Is your dc coasting along or making significant efforts?

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