Time limit between AS Levels and A2

Alikay

My youngest son has been offered his dream job in HM Forces. It's a difficult trade to get into and very few are recruited, so we're very happy for him. Only trouble is, the joining date is soon, and he won't be able to sit his A2 exams, even though he's doing well and got decent grades in the AS levels, January exams and coursework. Deferring entry to his job isn't possible, neither is sitting the exams on base. We've checked, double and triple checked and there's absolutely no way.:(

DS2 has decided that he will take the job as opportunities like this rarely come round again. Tough decision, and there've been tears and sleepless nights this week, but that trade is what he really wants. So I wondered if his AS levels (and possibly even this years already-taken A2 modules) will stay valid for some time, then he can sit the A2 exams in a year, maybe 2 when his military training is completed?

Unfortunately there's no-one around who can help at school, and they're generally very against students leaving pre-exams, so I'd really appreciate any advice.

Dunroamin

Is there a reason that he feels he needs A2s if he's going into the forces and doing his trade training with them?

If he wants an academic qualification as well as his trade qualifications, why not jump straight to the OU when he finishes his military training?

devildog

I don't know whether the modules will stay valid or not but once he has got his training out of the way if he wishes to gain further educational qualifications that really shouldn't be a problem. Usually each Camp/Base etc has an Education Section for this very type of thing(at least that was the case when I was in) Usually the forces also have their own education type tests and my mind is a little hazy now but I think you had to pass them before promotion.

So saying, if a Military career is what he wants and it is a difficult trade to get in to he may find that A levels go out the window. Whatever field he is going in to you can be sure that he will be well trained and throughout his career the training will continue to update his skills and learn new ones.

Alikay

Dunroamin wrote: »

Is there a reason that he feels he needs A2s if he's going into the forces and doing his trade training with them?

He thinks he may need them in a few years time should he wish to become a commissioned officer. I think another reason is that he's spent 7 years at secondary school with the main focus being on getting good A levels. Now he's leaving within 3 weeks of his final exams and feels the past couple of years have been a waste, so we were wondering if there's anything that can be salvaged from the A Level work he's done. I expect if he'd been offered the job last year (when they weren't even recruiting) he'd have not thought twice about ditching the A levels

I know the forces are excellent with ongoing training and education: We'll just have to encourage him to take whatever opportunities he can.

Of course, the last 2 years aren't wasted: It's highly likely that the knowledge gained during his 6th form education (especially maths) helped him to get good results in his forces assessments. Will just have to reassure him of that!

Dunroamin

I'm amazed that the forces would encourage a young person to join up 3 weeks before taking important exams; I hope things work out for him.

mountainofdebt

I have to say, and I speak as a mum whose son wants to join the Armed Forces as well, that I would be encouraging him to stay on for as long as possible in School.

When does he actually go? Can he not speak to his AFCO to discuss the situation,perhaps going in the next in take?

The thing is, its all very well saying that he can take the A2 exams in a year, possibly two, but syllabuses change and even if they didn't, would he be able to study - after a year's break at best - without any support and given the demands of his job.

stardance

If you can't get too much info out of the school, would it be worth contacting the exam boards directly (if you haven't already done so that is). Although the decision of the time of the gap may vary between schools I would have thought they'd have some kind of guidelines in place for this sort of thing. Could be worth a shot.

Alikay

mountainofdebt wrote: »

When does he actually go? Can he not speak to his AFCO to discuss the situation,perhaps going in the next in take?

That is the dilemma. There IS no next intake, and hasn't been a previous one for ages (he's had the service's careers website bookmarked and has been checking weekly since GCSE's!). The intake is days before his first exam, 3 weeks before his final one, so he'll miss them all.:(

If he stayed at school he could take his exams, pass them all then wait until they next recruit, maybe 2 years, THEN not get in because competition for places is so high he could be pipped to the post next time. We didn't know intake date was pretty well immediate when he applied - had hoped it would be a later start, but the applications process was swift as they need a small number for this trade ASAP.

He's now made the hard decision to go, and since he's spent 5 years at cadets wanting this opportunity, he goes with our blessing.

It's very sad about the A Levels: Can't get any info about "banking" what's been passed already as school are not being helpful: It doesn't help their figures when a student drops out, and they're very busy this time of year. The exam boards won't help with specific situations, but I'll keep on trying. Thanks.

Voyager2002

The AS is a qualification in its own right, so that remains valid for ever.

I would be surprised if the modules remained valid for very long (don't know), but in any case repeating work for an A2 in a subject where someone already has an AS would not be the end of the world.

Dunroamin

Voyager2002 wrote: »

The AS is a qualification in its own right, so that remains valid for ever.

I would be surprised if the modules remained valid for very long (don't know), but in any case repeating work for an A2 in a subject where someone already has an AS would not be the end of the world.

But even better (and easier) for someone who's studied successfully at this level to start a degree with the OU.

Alikay

Voyager2002 wrote: »

The AS is a qualification in its own right, so that remains valid for ever.

Really? That's great if he just needs to top up at some point with a one-year A2. Modules probably will change, but with his subjects (Maths,Phys,Chem), it's the understanding which is key, rather than retention of specific facts. It'll also be useful for self-directed study like OU should he choose that route .

Thanks guys, he's settled down over the last few days and is really looking forward to joining up, and happy to have something to show for his post-16 education with the AS levels.