My DS left school last year, he left with 2 GCSEs. He failed his Maths and English getting Grade 3s in those. He did however get a Grade 7 in Art and a Grade 6 in Music. This was a combination of being in the wrong crowd and having Dyslexia.
At the time he had a conditional offer at the local Sixth Form which has an Outstanding Ofsted accreditation. Unfortunately, this was withdrawn due to him not having Maths or English. He had his heart set on 3 A Levels there as was considering Architecture as a career. Anyway, as he didn't meet the entry requirements, his offer was withdrawn and he chose a different course at a different college. On 'the hoof' he chose Painting and Decorating Level 1 at the technological college alongside re-sit classes for Maths and English.
To keep a very long and stressful story short, my son hated the painting and decorating course and did not spend too much time in college. I received phone calls almost every other day to find out where he was, and I attended as many meetings as he did classes. Everyone knew his name and they actually ended the level one course early and passed him on it so he 'could focus on his re-sits and exams'. Reading between the lines the staff were sick and tired of him and a few of his friends he'd re-connected with from school. none of them were applying themselves and were constant pains in the rear. Deadbeats in my opinion (a lot of them smoking Weed) and I was upset as my son is clever but hadn't been correctly supported.
We went to the college on Thursday to collect his GCSE results. While there I chatted to the Principal and mentioned what had happened last year with the sixth form and what their requirements were. At this point my son is wanting to do Bricklaying which again falls under the construction department. Knowing how he behaved last year and how workshy on physical labour my son was, I naturally have reservations. The principal of the technological college said that she felt he should go to the sixth form to see if they would accept him with the Maths GCSE.
I had actually emailed the Principal of the sixth form just before the summer holidays to remind her of my son. She had been contacted by his secondary school in September last year to see if anything could be done as they were partly responsible for him not getting grade 4s. Basically they did not put any exam provision in for him despite him having Dyslexia. In fact they turned around and said they didn't know he had it! In her email the Principal of the Sixth Form said based on everything that had happened, she would accept him with Maths and English.
Anyway, on Friday we took the advice of the technological college Principal and went to the sixth form in the morning. My son did not want to go... but agreed. I'd said to keep an open mind.
We took his Art portfolio and based on the standard of his work, they have offered him a place to study 3D Art and Design and Graphic Design at A Level with his GCSE English resit classes. I am absolutely pleased as punch but my DS is set on wanting to do the bricklaying course all his mates are doing. The Head of Art said the standard of his work was exceptional and he would rediscover himself and be studying with like minded people. This did raise a smile.
My point in posting today is to ask what do you think I should do to encourage him to at least give this very important opportunity a try? Until after the November resit exams. I think his confidence has been dented and that he has been acting 'dumb' to fit in with the mates at technological college. I honestly feel that a change in peers is what he needs too and after all, he can still see his mates outside of college. Any advice on how to sway him would be most welcome. TIA.