A level student left in limbo

embob74

Many reasons were cited. Because they don't allow pupils to retake a year (they do), because they think she would be better off in college where she can wear what she want (she has never been warned about her attire), because they don't think she is capable of achieving better grades (she is - A grade GCSE's and she will admit she didn't try as hard as she should have), because she returned to school too late (other pupils have returned since she was told this) and because she wants to do a horticulture course (she only said this as a plan B after the the school told her A levels were no longer an option this year).
The only reason I can agree with is she returned to school 2 weeks after term had started but I had kept the school informed at every stage and they never expressed it would be a problem. Frankly if they had said they don't want her back because she has skinny legs I would have accepted that as long as they had told us earlier on and given her time to apply to college. That is what really galls me. But what can you do? - it seems teachers are a law unto themselves when in fact they are just people, some are good and some are not so good!

embob74

I have asked for the school to put it in writing why they have refused her and I will then be making a letter of complaint (for what it's worth!)

CapJ

I am not sure how relevant this is but if she is 19 next year could she not access Uni by doing a foundation year?

In any case you still need to solve the problem of not working hard in an "easier" environment. Colleges and Universities offer far less supervision than a school sixth form.

I agree with others though. Forget about the school. They don't want her and it isn't going to work out there. Perhaps she hasn't told you the full story re things like attire? In any case concentrate on moving forwards. If she is determined to study this year, I am sure it is possible to find a college that will take her, especially if she demonstrates knowledge of the content she missed!

steve1980

embob74 wrote: »

they don't think she is capable of achieving any better.

This says alot.

This sounds like she was lazy and gave the impression of couldn't care less.

She may have thought it would be easy but it's come back to bite her big time.

Can she use a computer? Get her to register with agencies to at least get some money.

paulwf

Embob although it might not feel like it at the moment because the school have been messing you around so much it might be a blessing in disguise. I know one teen that is now in her third year at college doing random subjects with nothing at all to show for it, she's just drifting along with no direction. It might be far better to take a year out so she can "find herself" then go back with a clear aim and ten times more motivation. As others have suggested a stint doing a boring low paid jobs may give her focus. Or she might want to do some traveling or some short courses and some volunteering to get her head round what she really wants to do.

Whatever happens this isn't the end of her chances in life, loads of people do access courses later on and then flourish at uni because they know exactly what they want to do.

mountainofdebt

Embob

You have my sympathies - back in January Junior sat one of his A2 papers and got a bare pass. I then went to the school (without his knowledge) and together the teachers and I formulated a plan to get him back on...fortunately it worked.

tbh it sounds as if the warning signs were there before your daughter sat her AS levels and perhaps the teachers tried to get her to see sense (they tend to deal directly with the pupils at that age rather than involving the parents) but failed.

I.m more perplexed as to why they have taken so long in deciding as to whether they would accept her back.

Personally I would see if a FE college will take her for the courses now or failing that see if she could join the evening class equivalent, although she might have to accept that she has to take a year out and restart them next year

Savvy_Sue

embob74 wrote: »

Seems a shame to write off her whole life for one bad exam.

That's the kind of over-reaction I'd expect from a teen: as a parent, I think it's important to get across that one bad exam never equals writing off your whole life.

So, she may not be able to continue with her studies this year, but there are ALWAYS other routes. Was it her choice not to try to go back at the start of the year? And is she waiting for you to sort this out, or putting in time and effort herself?

Has she looked into what's available at evening classes?

embob74

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

That's the kind of over-reaction I'd expect from a teen: as a parent, I think it's important to get across that one bad exam never equals writing off your whole life.

I'm sorry but I don't think I am over-reacting. Granted there is probably a way around it but it will not be easy. Due to her birth date she will be 19 next year and possibly not eligible for funding to continue her education. Much as we support our children we cannot magic £1000+ out of the air to fund a course.
She would have had other options if the school had given any indication she was not welcome back. We spoke to the school before exam results were out as she knew she hadn't done well and were told it could be sorted. After results were out she was told it could be sorted. She was returning to school late which we informed the school of and it was all still ok. It was only on the day she returned that she was told to go away.
If she had known earlier she could have applied to colleges, as it is there is a very little chance of getting a place on the course.

Emmzi

embob, I agree you are over reacting. Job + night school and she can pay it herself with job money!

However SHE has to want to do this. It is not enough for mum to want it or you'll be back in a year with her dropped out of something else!

Get HER to have a look here and come back and tell you what her options are. I am sure at 18 she can use google on local colleges too, and work a phone!

https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk/HelpAdviceandMoney/Pages/default.aspx

debrag

Did she fail as get U's? College's are so much better for allowing students to either re-take the year or continue & resit the failed exams though that is usually I think for students who get a grade. It's a bit late to be looking at starting 6th form this academic year isn't, college is your best bet.

Can she not do a foundation year in science at a uni next year?