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Secondary education

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Original poster

Helping DS choose A levels

8 replies

Elizo · 15/08/2024 10:12

DS going into year 11 and we have to find him a sixth form and he has to choose his subjects. It’s come round fast! He is an all rounder with consistent grades across subjects, heading for 7-9s all being well. He changes his mind regularly about subjects he enjoys / doesn’t like and is really unsure about what to do. Because his school has no 6th form there will be less in-school advice. I want to support him to make the decision with an eye to keeping future options open. He has no idea yet about careers. I have found the Inforned Choices website, any other tips? Not sure where to start. Applications go in this autumn but I am hoping he can change subject preferences later. IB is also a possibility but given uni offers are based on higher subjects I don’t think that changes too much.,Thanks for any tips!

OP posts:
fredder · 15/08/2024 10:20

This is going to sound crazy but why not show him the combinations of subjects you can do at uni. Schools and A levels are all single subject exams but show him that Maths can be combined with so many other things, or just the sheer choice of courses he could take at one uni. Most of the time this is about grades on a piece of paper but some uni courses do specify certain subjects. There should also be a what jobs/fields this can lead to information section too.

See if anything sparks an interest but I am sure that he can absolutely change his mind during year 11 about choices he may have made this autumn for A levels.

Ds1 knew from year 10 what he wanted to do, Ds2 tried a new subject at A level and is now going to uni in September for that subject.

Original poster
Elizo · 15/08/2024 10:37

fredder · 15/08/2024 10:20

This is going to sound crazy but why not show him the combinations of subjects you can do at uni. Schools and A levels are all single subject exams but show him that Maths can be combined with so many other things, or just the sheer choice of courses he could take at one uni. Most of the time this is about grades on a piece of paper but some uni courses do specify certain subjects. There should also be a what jobs/fields this can lead to information section too.

See if anything sparks an interest but I am sure that he can absolutely change his mind during year 11 about choices he may have made this autumn for A levels.

Ds1 knew from year 10 what he wanted to do, Ds2 tried a new subject at A level and is now going to uni in September for that subject.

I think this is a great idea - thanks. Maybe even browsing a few uni courses would help.

OP posts:
gato21 · 16/08/2024 04:51

I would also suggest that you have a look at the A level courses out there - which ones have a lot of practical work, which ones are purely exam based. See if that helps narrow down choices. Science and maths are good ones to do if he enjoys them as they open up more degrees.

At the end of the day, remember that if the subject really isn't for him the college can normally help him to swap courses. Good luck

clary · 16/08/2024 07:18

I would suggest if he is not at all sure about the future, it's a good idea to include some core subjects (for want of a better word) which are needed for some degrees. What I mean is - you don't need sociology for a sociology degree but you do (pretty much) need Eng lit for an Eng lit degree.

So if sciences appeal more, pick a couple from physics, biology, chemistry maths, geography. If he is more humanities based - maybe include one or two from history, Eng lit, RE, MFL.

Does one of those paths appeal more than the other? That might be a start. Also what GCSEs is he taking? If he doesn't already do art or DT then that's not a great choice - or if he does take drama or CS or Spanish and loves it, then that might be a good idea.

Original poster
Elizo · 16/08/2024 10:59

Thanks for these posts - great advice. I think I’ll start going over the info online and he can go to some subject talks when we visit sixth forms. Good to remember he could probably swap.

GCSEs he goes triple science, Spanish, History, RE, PE (not going well). I think he is more inclined to sciences and maths, but Eng Lit is his best subject lately, wothout lots of work. He doesn’t read for pleasure though currently. Maybe two sciences/ maths and a humanity/ art. He loved the philosophy part of RE, so that could be an option.

OP posts:
YellowphantGrey · 16/08/2024 12:50

Has he any idea what he wants to do after A Level?

DS based his A Level choices on his favourite subjects and the idea that he potentially wants to work in a sport related field or a geography related field. So far he is contemplating between Sports Coaching and Teaching. He currently plays football, trains one to one sessions with under 12s and referees under 12s football matches to earn money.

His A Level choices were Geography as he loves the subject and finds it easy, Btech Sport (L3) as he did Btech Sport at GCSE and Combined English, because again he enjoys it and it comes naturally to him.

I'd say look past A levels and see what potential interests he has and what A levels will support that plus pick subjects he enjoys and has an interest in.

clary · 16/08/2024 13:01

Elizo · 16/08/2024 10:59

Thanks for these posts - great advice. I think I’ll start going over the info online and he can go to some subject talks when we visit sixth forms. Good to remember he could probably swap.

GCSEs he goes triple science, Spanish, History, RE, PE (not going well). I think he is more inclined to sciences and maths, but Eng Lit is his best subject lately, wothout lots of work. He doesn’t read for pleasure though currently. Maybe two sciences/ maths and a humanity/ art. He loved the philosophy part of RE, so that could be an option.

Well (for example) biology, chemistry and history would keep all kinds of doors open - medicine (med schools like a humanity in the mix), biology and chem related degrees, biomed science, pharmacy, obv history but also lots of other hums degrees such as philosophy, class civ, ancient history, archaeology...

I mean some of those hums uni subjects have no specific A level requirement subject-wise (philosophy and class civ for example) but something like history or RE is a good lead-in.

If he subbed maths for biology then he's opening up more possibilities in the engineering line as well. Tho then obvs biology/biological sciences would be out.

Original poster
Elizo · 16/08/2024 13:11

Yeah, he isn’t a massive bio fan (although doing well with it) so wondering about something like maths, chem, philosophy. He mentioned maths at uni the other day, but I pointed out he would need further msths a level. I can’t see him doing maths at uni. He is good at it, but not one of these children for whom it just comes naturally and quickly…at least if he gets an idea next month or two he could put it down and then potentially change his mind by August. Having to go to a different school makes it a little harder…thanks for advice

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