Post 16 options with low level GCSE

[Frozenintime]

Has anyone's teen left school with level 2 GCSE? What are the options?

What have they got planned?

Without English and Maths, its probably a course at the tech college with the possibility of taking resits.

According to a friends whose son didn’t pass much and didn’t have a 4 in GCSE Maths.

@JiltedJohnsJulie

What have they got planned?

He's 14. I'm not sure they know at that age

There’s loads of options so don’t panic. If they don’t pass English and maths they will have to resit but this can be done the same time as starting other courses, there’s also apprenticeships which are great if they know what area they would like to work in or if the want a trade/hands on job. There’s loads of college courses that don’t have high entry levels.

I did pretty rubbish in my GCSE’s many years ago, couldn’t do what I planned (A level) so went to college and trained to be a chef.

If your DC is only 14 then they do have time to improve their grades, it maybe possible to drop a subject too? I would prioritise maths and English in hope they don’t have to re sit.

My DS left school four year ago with really low grades. He went to sixth form and did a Btec level 2 plus GCSE maths and English resits. He passed the level 2 and went on to do a level 3. He's now in his first job, admin role, £19k starting salary with lots of opportunities for progression. Many of his friends were in a similar position and they're all doing fine now. It seems like the end of the world at the time when they get their results, but I promise you it's not

This is so good to hear! My son is yr11 and has completely given up with learning. He doesn't care about his GCSEs.

Sorry I missed the Level 2, I thought you said "with 2 GCSES".

Do you mean with grade 2 GCSEs- is that what he's predicted?

If you look at the local college/6th form website it will show you what grades are needed for various courses.

Would he like to do something like construction or is he more of an indoor type person?

@maxbabi DS was just the same. Once he got out of the school environment he was much better, he much preferred college. They grow up a lot between 16-18.

My DD got a 2 in maths last year ( predicted grades/covid class of 2020) and a 5 in English.
She is doing the course she wants at college and doing functional skills maths alongside it.
They need to get a grade 4 and will retake the exams until they do (or at least that is what we were told)

It depends. Due to the pandemic some colleges are giving guaranteed placements. You will need to contact LA to find out.
Apprenticeships placements will be more difficult due to employment across the board.

They can do extra courses and as somebody already said, they can resit or go to college to boost their ability in the subjects they lack.
If you discuss concerns with the school they will put action plan in to try and prevent them from leaving with as best a grade as possible.

If children have SEN they focus more on that when grades are of concern.

Otherwise, they leave with their grades and use college as a support or take a general job.

There are jobs advertised where the employers don't bother about grades or CVs.

I lived through a time where jobs came by through word of mouth for some. A lot has changed. Ability is what it should be based on.
People will usually always get by.

You can work your way up many places throughout a lifetime.

FE admissions here. If he gets grade 2s across the board he'll likely have to take a level 1 btec to build skills/interest/confidence. Perhaps with functional English. Then on to a level 2 BTEC with GCSE maths and English resits (they will be non negotiable). Then assuming he wants to stay on, he can undertake a Level 3 course and the progress to work/university. Alternatively after his Level 2 course he could look for an apprenticeship. I know and have dealt with lots of students who have had similar routes to further ed. It's challenging but in the right college on the right course and with the right support they fly. Plus he still has time to improve!

Thankyou 😊

Look at apprenticeships admin maybe?