A level retakes

[Archie_tect]

If he can't do that then he will really struggle at university.

That's true if he can't do the work then it's wasting his time, but he needs the past papers and essays/work marked + essential feedback on what he's missed or needs guidance on, which he can't do himself.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

If he can't do that then he will really struggle at university.

When I did mine they invovled a lot of self study. I realised how spoon fed I was during the run up to O levels.
OMG 3rd agreement with Red Light

 

[Archie_tect]

Careful now AFS! It'll be User482 next...

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Careful now AFS! It'll be User482 next...

It goes to show common ground can be found in the strangest of places

 

[XmisterIS]

How about getting him to cram at home?

<puts on flat cap, pulls out pipe and carpet slippers />

When I were a lad, like, there was no shirking, you got locked in the classroom until you produced the goods.

 

[Red Light]

How about getting him to cram at home?

<puts on flat cap, pulls out pipe and carpet slippers />

When I were a lad, like, there was no shirking, you got locked in the classroom until you produced the goods.

Sure it was a classroom? Was it that stern teacher with a wig that sent you there?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Sure it was a classroom? Was it that stern teacher with a wig that sent you there?

 

[Red Light]

One thing to add is check the universities he is interested in. Some are not interested in retakes and others discount them significantly relative to first time grades. So he may spend the year only to find out he's no better off. Of course this might all change next year depending on how tuition fees affect demand.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article7140281.ece

 

[growingvegetables]

Also depends on what your son wants to study at uni?

Both my son's flunked at A-levels, and both changed course to do a BTEC at a college. Different style of learning, different kind of assessment. A Distinction pass got both into the university courses of their choice. Take care though - it's NOT something to do without care and research.

Son number 1 graduated a couple of years ago with a First.

Son number 2 found the BTEC Engineering qualification just didn't give him anything like enough advanced Maths to be able to cope with the Engineering course he wanted to do; such very serious catch-up to do that he passed everything in his first year ----- except the ****** Maths. He's decided to change to a more "BTEC-friendly" Engineering course.

 

[BearPear]

sorry to hear your son's results - my son got his results last year and although he got into Uni, he chose not to go and did an apprenticeship instead.

I hear what you are saying about self-study, my son would not be able to motivate himself in that way - some people just don't do well that way (otherwise the Open University would be the higher education model that everyone followed!) My son needed help with his studies to get through GCSE English and went to a local tuition centre, Kip McGrath, and then paid a student teacher at his school for an hour a week private tuition. It got him through but took a bit of faffing around as the teacher had to be paid through school and the head had to give his consent. Maybe there is a teacher at school who would be prepared to "freelance" to assist? Yours can't be the only child ever to be in this situation, surely the school has a contingency?

I am guessing he aims to re-sit in December? Best of luck to him!

 

[mumbo jumbo]

Thanks all for your input. The lad in question is very bright. Got As and Bs in his AS modules but just switched off for his A2s: got Ds Es and Us!. Feels a bit of an idiot now. So whilst he was at school for his A2 modules, he didn't take much of it in. Hence he does need some proper support through the retakes. Looks like self-study plus tutors at the moment.

Another mystery is how / when he can apply for Uni. UCAS applications are Oct / Nov at which point he will just have his CDD grades. He wont have a teacher who can give him predicted grades or a report. Does this mean he has to apply with his retake results in Nov 2012 for a place in Sept 2013? Goodness knows what the fees will be then!

mj

 

[BearPear]

I thought Uni application was an independent process? I don't recall my son's school submitting anything with his application. If you or I were to apply it would just be our application without supporting evidence?

 

[Yellow Fang]

Open University? You don't need A levels to study with them.

 

[Red Light]

Thanks all for your input. The lad in question is very bright. Got As and Bs in his AS modules but just switched off for his A2s: got Ds Es and Us!. Feels a bit of an idiot now. So whilst he was at school for his A2 modules, he didn't take much of it in. Hence he does need some proper support through the retakes. Looks like self-study plus tutors at the moment.

Another mystery is how / when he can apply for Uni. UCAS applications are Oct / Nov at which point he will just have his CDD grades. He wont have a teacher who can give him predicted grades or a report. Does this mean he has to apply with his retake results in Nov 2012 for a place in Sept 2013? Goodness knows what the fees will be then!

mj

Fees in 2013 shouldn't be higher and may well be lower - depends how many unis find themselves low on students at the new prices.

The UCAS Application website has details of how you apply through a school or as an individual. Regarding grades it says this:

"If you're resitting a qualification you need to enter it twice: once as a completed qualification with the grade achieved and once as a qualification with the result 'Pending'."
​

So they will know his current grades and that he is doing resits. The only way round would be to go a year later and put the new results in.

It sounds though as if resits are not his problem. He actually needs to redo the course from what you've said in which case you need to look either at private tuition or schooling or perhaps look at the Adult Education programmes offered by Birmingham.

 

[mumbo jumbo]

Fees in 2013 shouldn't be higher and may well be lower - depends how many unis find themselves low on students at the new prices.

The UCAS Application website has details of how you apply through a school or as an individual. Regarding grades it says this:

"If you're resitting a qualification you need to enter it twice: once as a completed qualification with the grade achieved and once as a qualification with the result 'Pending'."
​

So they will know his current grades and that he is doing resits. The only way round would be to go a year later and put the new results in.

It sounds though as if resits are not his problem. He actually needs to redo the course from what you've said in which case you need to look either at private tuition or schooling or perhaps look at the Adult Education programmes offered by Birmingham.

Thanks for that. All is not lost...!