College / next step

[mommabear2386]

My 15 year old step daughter lives with me and my partner full time for the past 5 months.
She's now looking at colleges / sixth forms etc... problem is she's definitely not what you would class as academic she hates exams and coursework is barely scraping by in grades (3&4s) but she's so switched on in other ways.

She's got no interest in university so that's kinda of ruling out a levels so college seems a good option but problem is she's got zero interest in any subject bar music. She's been to a open day for a very selective creative college and is adamant she's going there to do music technology/ production. Now I'm fully supportive BUT we doubt she's get in! Grades may pass but there's no passion for music she likes what she listens too (hip hop / rap /rnb) but nothing else she doesn't want to play or learn to play or perform it's very basic and I think they'll see that and she won't pass the interview.

To be honest I think she's watched too much American tv and the college with fancy studios etc has just tickled her fancy not realising what actually is required and that the kids who go there are crazy passionate and multi talented already.

We've spoke about back up plans and she's just saying oh I'll go do a levels in criminology or something but it's like why?? That's again very study heavy and science which she hates 🙄

Anyone else's teen got zero interest or ideas about their future?? How do you be supportive but make sure they aren't wasting their time and your money!

She won't get accepted to do A levels with 3s and 4s. Even with 4s and 5s A levels aren't really a good bet.

With 3s and 4s she may be better off starting on a level 2 course (whilst possibly retaking Maths/English) and then if she does OK (Merit) progressing to level 3.

Tell us more about what she is like, and what she does out of school. Someone may be able to suggest a course. (My DD1 did Travel & Tourism, DD2 is currently doing Animal Care).

Sorry, I realise that didn't answer your question all.

DD1 didn't know what she wanted to do, but was good with meeting/interacting with strangers, liked languages and enjoyed it when we took her to new places. Which is why she ended up with T&T.

DD2 has loved animals since tiny, so Animal Care was a no-brainer.

Is your teen y10 or y11 (ie how much time do you have to get something sorted?)

She's year 11, great with younger kids but doesn't want to do any form on childcare. She's good at sport too but again has little interest.

I've tried to go the travel route and she's expressed interest in seeing other countries, and also things like sport science/ pt instructor / physio

She's very caring and thoughtful so we've said nursing and all the avenues that brings but again it's a no 🙄

Hair and beauty and came up but she doesn't think it's a good enough job that would pay well.

As I said a bit in dream land I think, we'll talk to her again about back up plans and being realistic playing to her strengths

There are BTECs in:
Outdoor Pursuits (work eg for PGL)
Uniformed Public Services
Health & Social Care

If she's on for 3s&4s she isn't going to walk into a well paying job, it's going to be a work yourself up scenario.

How about Plumbing? That has potential to be well paid...

Colleges may offer Music or technology based btecs. If she does not pass 5 gcses she could still take a level 2 qualification and hopefully progress to level 3. Focus on English and Maths first as otherwise she will need to resit them. Can you attend an open evening with her to look at what is on offer?

My dd sounds just like your dd she has no idea about what the wants to do long term. She isn't very academic and struggles with exams. She didn't like the sound of any of the courses but she had to apply for something. Se has applied for health and social care as told it is a good all rounder. Not sure it is the right course for her as she doesn't like anything medical but we were told it is a mixture of sociology/psychology and law.

How about studying soft tissue therapy? There are many professional sports clubs that soft tissue therapists, which involves travel. She could also work privately.

I suggest all you can do is ask her to come up with a few plans - A, B, C... depending what her results & desires are. There are a lot of practical qualifications young ppl can get in my area in lieu of A Level pathway. In meantime, encourage her to focus on doing her best at GCSE assessments.

There is little or no performing involved in Music Technology. Ds originally applied for a Music Tech Btec and switched to Music Performance because there was no performing on Tech. The course is heavily based towards composing using technology and sound engineering. He is now applying for Music degrees and is finding the pathways are similar.

At ds's college she would probably be asked to do a Level 2. Some of the specialist colleges are not as selective as you might think, they will take most students who show an interest but might put them on a lower level than they originally applied to.