Sixth form withdrawing subjects

[DecisionYesOrNo]

Need your advice. My child got admission in one of the sixth forms for her choice of subjects. They never informed us it was conditional offer based on baseline testing neither verbally not written. Last week they have taken away her 2 subject choices since she dint clear her baseline testing. She can't do those subjects at all. They are very firm. We left admissions for so many schools because of this school and now this. Is this even legal. Please suggest

Wasn't it just based on GCSE results? If she's registered, she can't be kicked off any subjects that she's started
They can recommend that she doesn't continue, but that is all. See the St Olave's ruling.

We need more info on prior grades & the courses, then what subjects she was hoping to take. Is this England, UK, elsewhere?

England.

The grades are follows

English - 8
Maths - 8
Chemistry- 7
Biology - 7
Chemistry - 5

Confirmed offer from school, for Chemistry, Bio, Maths and Psychology. Grades clearly mentioned to the admissions officer on mails and number of forms. Admission granted, studied for 2 weeks. They are withdrawing Chem and Bio based on baseline testing.

Is this eg failing an algebra test for maths having had transition work to do?

They may be doing your DC a favour if she isn't up to it.

Can you give more details?

They haven't recommended but kicked her out. I am clueless what to do. We spoke to them number of times they are least apologetic about it. Infact no sign of guilt of ruining a child's career. They say it is your choice stay or leave but we won't let her study the subjects. Clueless what to do.

X-post.

Is she Y12? She can only have had 2 weeks in sixth form?

Yes.

Go back to other schools/colleges and see if she can transfer.

We are trying. Hopefully. But is this right?

They have to let her study them, they can't kick her off.

That seems completely wrong to me- is it a very selective sixth form and is she new to the setting? Has there been any incidents since she’s started?

I don't know.

If she won't cope better to know now, but if you weren't forewarned it seems unfair.

Yes she just joined this school. I feel gutted for her, she had settled so well in school.

You’ve listed two results for chemistry- was the second one physics?

Yes sorry, 5 for chemistry.

What is the chemistry with the 5 grade?

Ok so I’d be furious in your place as they should have rejected her place on results day so she could have started fresh at another setting rather than after two weeks. At least (and not much consolation) they’ve done it now rather than after the first term/end of Y12 as they’re clearly not prepared to be supportive. Having said that, I really think she might struggle with chemistry a level with a 5 at GCSE unless something went particularly wrong on the day?

Just to repeat - they cannot stop her from studying these subjects. She may continue, no matter the results of any internal testing.

They are like we won't let her sit for the classes.

They have to.

Could you offer to pay for the exams? But to be honest I’d move her for a place that offered better support/pastoral care.

Are you sure? They can't chuck her out, but can they make her switch subjects?

Kicking her off both at this stage seems a bit severe, but it really isn’t advised (except when including maths and further maths) to do four A levels, unis only count three and so she will likely do worse if she does 4. Some places let them start 4 to see what subjects she likes and then drop to 3. Those 4 would be a really tough group of A levels. Is it enough hours if she only does 2? Are they suggesting a BTEC or something to make up the hours? I would talk to them with her and see if she can do 3 A levels but forget about 4, that would be doing her a favour however academic she is. If she can’t do 3 maybe 2 and a BTEC whatever would be fine. Look at admissions requirements for what she wants to do next. Find out if one subject she was closer to the cut off than the other and maybe focus your efforts on that.

Be curious about what happened and try and work with them to see what options are, while being aware that some sixth forms only get their really good results by chucking off kids who look like they’ll get lower than a B. maybe you can say you will get her private tuition , uni students do it online for c£10 an hour and helped my DC at A level.

It might be better to change schools now though if they also chuck people off at the end of Y12.

No.
They have to allow her to continue, irrespective of results.