A level choices after gcse results

[gluenotsoup]

Hi all
Dd had gcse results today, mostly good. She’s done really well mostly!
Drama - distinction
History - 8
Eng lit - 7
Eng lang - 7
Religion studies - 7
Science - 7/6
German- 4
Maths -4
So, she’s enrolled at college to do English language and History but needs to sort her third one as they won’t let her do biology or psychology with less than a 5 in maths so she’s gutted when she should be thrilled.
Has anyone got any advice on possible 3rd choice with this in mind? She was only 3 marks off a 5 so we areasking for a remark too.
Thanks in advance 🙂

She’s thinking 3 solid A levels with Eng lang (won’t consider lit), history and maybe sociology with the applied science as a 4th.

There’s no way she should be taking 4 A-levels (or equivalents).

You asked about BTEC applied science a few posts back. I’ve taught the BTEC extended certificate in Applied Science for years. It’s definitely accepted as a science qualification by some good universities. Looking at that profile of GCSE results, she’d probably get at least a distinction (assuming she continues to work hard). It’s a good course when it’s delivered properly. She should ask which optional unit they deliver. Lots of centres do unit 8 which is biology based.

DD has met an awful lot of students taking both English Lang and English Lit at open days. So it doesn't seem that unusual.

Taking both is no more a poor choice than taking biology and chemistry "because they are both science".

(I know OP's DC doesn't want to take English Lit, but there's an awful lot of rubbish being spouted on here about taking 2 English A levels).

It looks like for SALT they generally don't have specific requirements, but some say a combination of arts and sciences is preferred. I gather that this is because of some of the more clinical SALT roles, it can be quite scientific, when it comes to things like swallow-reflexes due to digestive issues or eating disorders, for example, rather than working with people with other types of communication issues, which makes the natural science choice biology (which is less maths based, perhaps frustratingly for her).

However, some are just a UCAS points tariff still. Unless a subject is an absolute requirement, my general advice would always be to simply maximise getting the best grades by taking strongest subjects.

Perhaps on the side, she could think about something like taking BSL or makaton classes, which may well make her a more interesting candidate?

I’ve suggested lit as she’s good at it, but she said she she’s not enjoyed the poetry element so doesn’t want to do it, but it’s always an option, and I agree a very difficult animal to language.
@Justanotherteacher , thank you for the input on applied science, that’s really encouraging too.
@noblegiraffe , do you think 4 is just too much work? She was thinking because the applied science isn’t an A level that it would be an extra, so she had 3 A levels as required by lots of places, plus a back up.
@Catopia - thank you. She’s pretty good at Makaton and uses it with my other daughter who is non verbal. I hadn’t really thought that it would make her more interesting 😁, but life experience wise she’s seen and absorbed a lot of medical stuff , tube feeding, unsafe swallow, etc.

She was thinking because the applied science isn’t an A level that it would be an extra, so she had 3 A levels as required by lots of places, plus a back up.

Pretty much all unis ask for three A levels or equivalent but none need four. Four is a lot more work which doesn’t seem to be a good plan here @gluenotsoup

Just bc it’s not an A level doesn’t mean it’s easy, just a different way of getting a qualification. No need for a back up. Just take two A levels plus the applied science- but first check courses.

No need for psych A level to do psych degree, but I think it often requires a science. Applied science might well tick that box too, but she should do some research.

I would also counsel against four. The BTEC may be academically easier and have less end of course pressure but a good distinction level assignment can run to upwards of a 50 page, fully referenced document. And she may need to produce about eight of those over the two years (and maybe some practise assignments). There is a lot of time and effort needed. Most centres also have the students sit at least one examined unit in year 12. She will probably find passing the exam relatively straightforward but getting a distinction on them is hard and most students need to put in some serious work on past papers to get there.

I’ve suggested lit as she’s good at it, but she said she she’s not enjoyed the poetry element so doesn’t want to do it

What specific poetry is being studied as part of A Level English Lit? Why did she not like poetry?

My DD hated poetry at GCSE as well, but she loved their poetry choice at A Level, and now enjoys reading a variety of poems.

Of the two, English Literature is the traditional heavyweight A level, while English Language is quite new. It’s a perfectly good A level, if it’s a subject that interests her, but I’m struck by a lot of your commentary being about the status of various subjects. Similarly, drama is a perfectly acceptable A level for many degree subjects.

If she really enjoys Biology and wants to do it for its own sake, she could suggest retaking Maths in November, but I can’t think of any degree options opened up by Biology alone without Chemistry or Maths or Sports Science. she’s best off choosing subjects she will really enjoy.

I must say reading everything you say about your DD, sociology is a really obvious choice.

I have had three students in the last two years go off to do SaLT degrees.

Has she looked into it at all?

My first thought was Sociology. It's similar to psychology in that it looks at how people think and act but in terms of within society rather than an individual.

For BTEC have a look at Health and Social Care. I've taught that for many years and within it is 'Anatomy and Physiology' which is science. Most centres teach that unit because it opens up careers in health such as nursing.

As someone else said it is a lot of hard work and usually includes a work placement but it is usually finished before A Level exams take place.

Other units (but the centre choose not the student) psychology, sociology, communication and public health.

The public health unit is usually done in a group and the students plan and deliver a health campaign.

Given the options available I think Law would be best. It will draw on her strengths and be interesting and something new. Doing an A level in any topic you didn't enjoy much at GCSE would be a mistake.

That's an excellent set of results. Make sure she knows she should be proud.

There's no shame in retaking maths. Even if remarking did help upgrade to a 5 there's room for some consolidation of maths skills. The college is correct to be clear that a 4 or even 5 isn't enough grounding for any numerate A-Level. Don't let your dd label herself with "I'm useless at maths" - she hasn't yet been taught maths by a teacher who is able to help her properly. She's clearly very bright though.

My daughter did that combination followed by a degree in Nursing. Most uni's accept sociology as fulfilling the science requirement for nursing.

perhaps look at the nhs jobs website to give you and her an idea of the vast range of science related jobs out there - radiographer, podiatrist etc - there might be degrees she hasn’t yet considered and that third a level might be less important than she thinks right now

Might also want to look at OT too?

Thanks all, there’s some very good advice all round.
She’s feeling much better and actually wants to celebrate her results now, rather than her disappointment with maths blocking her original choice being the only thing she could see. She very much has a mental block and panics in the exams, just with maths. She’s had a lot of moving through sets with it, from top, to second, to third, back to second, from higher to foundation, back to higher than back to foundation and 8 different teachers, which hasn’t done anything to help her confidence. I think she’s still planning to see if she can magic up the extra marks on a review, then do a resit just so she has the 5 if it’s needed at some point.
I don’t mean to focus on the status of the Alevels , I’m just trying to avoid any further issues if she chooses to go to uni and then realised her choices were not as strong as they could have been and she’s not in a strong position. The same thing
with the applied science, because we’re having to think quickly and she’s not been happy.
She likes the look of the sociology- similar content to psychology in some ways but perhaps more her expectations.
Literature content looked good to me - Keats, Streetcar named Desire, Othello, contemporary poetry , and science/ supernatural with Frankenstein and Never Let Me Go.
Looking at the a nhs site is a good plan, that’s exactly the type of thing she would benefit from.

See if her school does the health option for sociology. Most don't but some do.

There is an English Language and Lit A level. Language alone isn’t considered the academic one, but if she doesn’t want to read, is that an issue going forward? History won’t be that easy.

Look at something like occupational therapy degrees. Social sciences ok and its in clearing at St George’s London. Maths grade 4 ok too. Bearing this in mind, I would look at social sciences and look more widely at courses. Sociology seems sensible and it’s surely not mathsy!

Language alone isn’t considered the academic one

Language A level is much tougher than people think!!

If she’s determined to have 4 A-level equivalents, the 2 A-levels and a BTEC might be a combination worth considering. This is what my DD ended up doing: BTEC in business (equivalent to 2 A-levels) plus A-levels in philosophy and law. The fact that the BTEC was assessed throughout the two years of sixth form meant that she only had to focus on 2 subjects when A-level exams rolled around. Plus the BTEC really taught her the value of continuous study - which is a great foundation for university.

That’s very interesting. I hadn’t realised BTec business counted as 2 A levels. Is that at all universities? Don’t suppose you could divulge what’s she looking to do next please?

@NotDonna - she’s at Exeter studying business with law. Her BTEC gave her 2 grades (she got D* x2).

Just about to start the 3rd year.

Each distinction star gave her the same UCAS points as an A*

That’s interesting, is that just business where it’s the equivalent of 2 , or all BTechs? good luck to your daughter @HarryLimeFoxtrot .
History is the one she’s most excited by, it’s the only choice she’s not wavered from.