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Secondary education

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Original poster

Chance to change Alevel choices -advice needed

56 replies

Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:24

Ds didn’t get his first choice to stay on at his grammar school for 6th form. His GCSE results were a bit disappointing . I’m gutted he’s not staying on as it’s only 3 miles away and most of his friends are staying on. He is 5 point off so I’m not sure there is any point in appealing. So he will be going to a college 8 miles away. The college offers a wider a choice of Alevels. Ds has basically lost any motivation now after being disappointed so is not really interested in exploring all options. He is not strong on English and has no really career aspirations at the moment . We have an enrolment appointment on Tuesday. College offers Accounting A level. Anyone have any experience ? I like the thought that it is vocational and useful for so many employers. He is set on Business Studies. But trying to choose 3rd Alevel. I suggested Geography, but he didn’t study it for GCSE. It doesn’t require you to have but wondered if it would be disadvantage for him? Any other A-level recommendations that would work please.

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 25/08/2023 21:26

I’d appeal for sixth form first. Don’t give in yet.

GirlsWithGuitars · 25/08/2023 21:28

What was he intending to study if he’d stayed on at the school sixth form? Is he still interested in those subjects - if so, does he actually need to change his A level choices at all?

Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:30

Thanks@DustyLee123 . I spoke to the school this morning and they weren’t very hopeful as it is very popular choice. I guess we have nothing to loose but 5 pints does seem a long way off.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:33

He had chosen Business studies but had also chosen Biology but he needs a 6 and only got a 5(1mark off a 6).He had also chosen Sociology but he wasn’t that enthusiastic.

OP posts:
Quitelikeacatslife · 25/08/2023 21:33

It's no good us suggesting things, the choice has to come from him. College may be the change he needs or maybe can look into apprenticeship? Or what can he see himself studying?

Quitelikeacatslife · 25/08/2023 21:35

Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:33

He had chosen Business studies but had also chosen Biology but he needs a 6 and only got a 5(1mark off a 6).He had also chosen Sociology but he wasn’t that enthusiastic.

You could apply for a review? Costs £ but if higher grade upheld you get money back . Have you talked to school? If he is borderline 6 they may take him?

noblegiraffe · 25/08/2023 21:36

You seem to be flailing about at random. What grades did he get? What are his best subjects? Any interests?

Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:40

noblegiraffe · 25/08/2023 21:36

You seem to be flailing about at random. What grades did he get? What are his best subjects? Any interests?

thanks @noblegiraffe . His results are
maths 6, biology, chemistry and physics 5, business studies 7, history 4, psychology 4, English lit 4, English 4.

He enjoyed business and biology last year.

OP posts:
Turquoisa80 · 25/08/2023 21:41

What subjects draw him, the sciences, computers, the arts, Humanities and go down that route. I wouldn't do random choices and would encourage him to pick a strand and subjects that will compliment eachother

noblegiraffe · 25/08/2023 21:43

With that set of results I wouldn't necessarily focus on A-levels and would start looking at BTECs and more vocational options. Has he looked at other courses?

Quitelikeacatslife · 25/08/2023 21:43

Is there a business btec he can do at college? Rather than random subjects ? Economics?

Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:44

Turquoisa80 · 25/08/2023 21:41

What subjects draw him, the sciences, computers, the arts, Humanities and go down that route. I wouldn't do random choices and would encourage him to pick a strand and subjects that will compliment eachother

@Turquoisa80 , I think this is where we are really struggling. He is not really any of those categories. He did find business easy so I’m trying to find suitable subjects to go with business.

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elkiedee · 25/08/2023 21:48

Is the Accounting an A level or another qualification? Accountancy training often seems to involve a lot of quite tough exams, and would the style of assessment suit him?

Have you talked about what within the Business Studies course appeals to him most?

Does college do Business Studies as an A level and/or do they have related qualifications? Or options that aren't on offer in a Grammar School sixth form?

Having to go elsewhere if most of his friends are staying on at school sounds hard.

GirlsWithGuitars · 25/08/2023 21:49

Is there still the business btec that is equivalent to 2 or 3 A levels? It’s been a while since I looked into that.

Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:50

Quitelikeacatslife · 25/08/2023 21:43

Is there a business btec he can do at college? Rather than random subjects ? Economics?

The college does do T levels so I guess that is an option. I just don’t want to limit his options going forward

OP posts:
GirlsWithGuitars · 25/08/2023 21:51

This is the one I was thinking of - random college page so don’t know if your son’s college would do it

https://www.oxfordsixthformcollege.com/courses/btec-btec-level-3-extended-diploma/

Quitelikeacatslife · 25/08/2023 21:52

I'd have said that a general business course can be applied to anything and possibly less limiting than not succeeding in traditional academic environment which doesn't really seem to be working for him

Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:52

elkiedee · 25/08/2023 21:48

Is the Accounting an A level or another qualification? Accountancy training often seems to involve a lot of quite tough exams, and would the style of assessment suit him?

Have you talked about what within the Business Studies course appeals to him most?

Does college do Business Studies as an A level and/or do they have related qualifications? Or options that aren't on offer in a Grammar School sixth form?

Having to go elsewhere if most of his friends are staying on at school sounds hard.

I’m really struggling to adjust to a different plan and worry about him as he is gutted he won’t be with his friends next year. Yes accounting is an Alevel qualification so I thought it would work well with Business.

OP posts:
Thelondonone · 25/08/2023 21:52

His results are not really strong enough for a levels so I agree with pp that he should look at btec business.

Ohmylovejune · 25/08/2023 21:54

What about BTECs.

I did one (I'm a Chartered Accountant)

Both my children did BTECs and are doing very well, son nailed a degree apprenticeship with his.

Ohmylovejune · 25/08/2023 21:55

My BTEC was Business and Finance (1984-86)

Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:58

Thelondonone · 25/08/2023 21:52

His results are not really strong enough for a levels so I agree with pp that he should look at btec business.

I was hoping they would be ok - most of the colleges locally offer Alevels if you get 5 GCSEs at 4 and above. Do you think he will struggle?

OP posts:
Original poster
Fatandmenopausal · 25/08/2023 21:59

Ohmylovejune · 25/08/2023 21:54

What about BTECs.

I did one (I'm a Chartered Accountant)

Both my children did BTECs and are doing very well, son nailed a degree apprenticeship with his.

Our nearest college doesn’t offer BTECs unfortunately but do offer t levels

OP posts:
Takoneko · 25/08/2023 22:03

BTEC Business is a good course. If he can do the extended diploma (equivalent to three A Levels), I’d imagine that would suit him far better than assorted A Levels that he’s not that bothered about.
They are accepted by most unis including most of the Russell Group (obviously as long as it’s for entry to a course that doesn’t require specific a levels).

Takoneko · 25/08/2023 22:03

I know very little about T levels so am no use there.