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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

A levels

12 replies

Trixieboo87 · 31/08/2023 11:36

Hi my child is going into the final year of A levels next week after failing the end of year exams & achieving E’s and U’s
We had a meeting with the head of year & she offered a resit of all three exams for next week

My child doesn’t seem to care hasn’t done any revision atall and said they don’t want to resit them . My thoughts are don’t force but my husband said no to this & that the exams have to be done and to do one’s best .
My main worry is that next year my child is going to struggle & be stressed out what with there being so much more content in each subject
Any advice please ?

OP posts:
Rummikub · 31/08/2023 11:40

Why does he need to do the resits? Is continuing into year 2 linked to the resits?

We accepted students onto year 2 with similar grades after meetings if there was a reason or change in motivation.
a lot of students were shocked at their grades.

TeenDivided · 01/09/2023 13:39

Is continuing with A levels the right thing?

Might they be better off switching to a T-level/BTEC?

knackeredmumoftwo · 01/09/2023 13:42

Resists will help with predicted grades for UCAS or other post 16 options
It will also help as they have the grade boundaries for the 2023 cohort so these might be a lot more meaningful for your child - and decide if they still want to continue or look at other options such as BTECs - I'd say cram this week and see what's what

knackeredmumoftwo · 01/09/2023 13:44

Also - speaking from experience motivating at Year 13 when everyone around is applying for Uni and yours isn't engaged as their predicted grades are low and they are waiting for the actual grades / resists is beyond tough - so I'd say resit and then make an informed decision- also year 13 is only 2 terms - it flys by

LIZS · 01/09/2023 14:01

How have they reacted to low results? Self motivation is everything here, and the goal of resits important in establishing the next step. If they can't/won't they can still redo year 12 probably with an alternative course.

Original poster
Trixieboo87 · 04/09/2023 08:15

Thankyou for your replies , my dd was at a different school in year 11 but didn’t meet the criteria for a place in year 12
We did find a lovely school & while she got a place in one of her subjects she had to accept two other subjects which weren’t choice
She failed in the last mocks , the school also has criteria for year 13 . We had a meeting before the summer hols & she promised to pull up her socks for the retakes and revise during the summer . However she hasn’t done anything as far as I’m concerned but has told me she hates the two of the subjects & doesn’t get it

Im am annoyed as the resits are this week and she only emailed the head last week explaining her anxiety over these exams . Im not sure that they will let her stay on .

OP posts:
LIZS · 04/09/2023 08:32

If it is a state school they cannot force her out. Is retaking year 12 an option? Is she really cut out for A levels?

Original poster
Trixieboo87 · 04/09/2023 08:57

Thankyou for your reply she’s in an independent school , she chose to do A levels and now is regretting it
We quite honestly don’t want to pay for an extra year as we don’t feel it’ll make a difference

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 04/09/2023 09:07

Trixieboo87 · 04/09/2023 08:57

Thankyou for your reply she’s in an independent school , she chose to do A levels and now is regretting it
We quite honestly don’t want to pay for an extra year as we don’t feel it’ll make a difference

Why not let her school say they don't want her (gets you out of notice fees) and enroll at state college to do a BTEC/T-Level?

LIZS · 04/09/2023 09:34

Agree with @TeenDivided , although you may need to act quickly to secure a place. If she regrets it have you given alternative options or does she perhaps feel she is committed now.

ILostMyself · 04/09/2023 09:38

Some teens are just not suited for A levels and there is no point in forcing it. I have 3 and eldest is going into second year of A levels now and I think my youngest will be fine too but my middle teen (who is just starting year 11) is planning to apply for a BTEC after GCSEs. He could probably just about cope with A levels but would struggle and be stressed and find it a lot harder than my other two.

There can be unnecessary stigma around courses like BTECs when actually most universities accept them anyway (apart from some very top unis which they wouldn't be applying to anyway if they find A levels that difficult!).

I think my middle teen has a lot better chance of getting higher results via a BTEC than A levels and will also enjoy it more and be less stressed too. I would look into something like this and move to a state college for a fresh start.

mylittleprince · 04/09/2023 11:39

I would phone around colleges and find an alternative route rather than waste another year. They are entitled to 3 years 16-19 so she can restart somewhere else.

I'd suggest looking at T levels or btechs.

A levels aren't for everyone and that's ok.

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