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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:
HundredMilesAnHour · 26/08/2023 12:44

If he did genuinely underperform due to MH issues / the girlfriend break-up, is it not worth considering retaking his GCSEs? Is that not an option?

I certainly wouldn't advise Geography with those grades. It's a hard A level. And Accounting is a pretty pointless (and very dull) option.

GreenMonstersParty · 26/08/2023 12:59

Both my DC did business & also politics which has some crossovers and they both really enjoyed it.

Neither were at all political but one swapped a different subject as they just weren't getting it and had to choose something that wasn't a timetable clash and politics was one of the few options. They really enjoyed it & learnt a lot.

Boomboom22 · 26/08/2023 13:01

noblegiraffe · 26/08/2023 12:10

T-levels also seem to have a high drop-out rate https://feweek.co.uk/t-levels-results-2023-1-in-3-students-dropped-out/ so I agree with @Postapocalypticcowgirl that before embarking on a T-level you should scrutinise the college's performance with them, including retention. Getting work placements is a big issue so ask about that too.

I suspect that part of the problem is that they are being seen as a fallback for students who didn't do well enough for A-levels rather than a vocational alternative to A-levels and students are taking them when they're not really appropriate.

Well quite, but that is the point. The gov wants T levels to be equivalent to A levels but technical not academic. They want to remove btec because it is easier to get Distinction than the A or T level equivalent. Noone is trying to get lower ability kids a qual that says it is equal. I am heavily involved with btec and gce / a level and they may get equal tariffs but should they? No way.

TeenDivided · 26/08/2023 13:07

The problem with T-Levels is that the government has removed their BTEC equivalents.

So what are hard working grade 4-6 students who maybe don't cope well with exams meant to do? They have gone a left a great gap.

You don't make a pig fatter by weighing it. You don't make mid range students more academic by making the qualifications harder.

Boomboom22 · 26/08/2023 13:13

Yes but it's not right that btecs are easier to get the same number of ucas points in. That's why t levels were mooted and why btecs now have external exams. But these are also easier to get full marks in and the demands are not the same.

TeenDivided · 26/08/2023 13:21

Boomboom22 · 26/08/2023 13:13

Yes but it's not right that btecs are easier to get the same number of ucas points in. That's why t levels were mooted and why btecs now have external exams. But these are also easier to get full marks in and the demands are not the same.

You could unequalise the ucas points at the stroke of a pen.
Universities are (presumably?) happy, and most places don't offer just on UCAS points but on subjects anyway don't they?

The UCAS points issue is not, imo, a reason to do away with level 3 BTECs.

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