Anyone else have a 16 year old not gain any GCSE 'C' grades this year?

thatlemming

I've got several friends who did apprenticeships and they all needed 5 A-Cs including english and maths, and its way more competitive now then it was 6 years or so ago when my friends all applied.

alleycat`

I'd suggest really concentrating on the English and Math.

Get those above grade C and it sets you up in a much better position.

Without those it makes it much harder to get on and do anything in further education.
It would be hard to even get on the apprenticeship schemes (which also quite often have college training).

It isn't the end of the world to have two or three goes at something.
Nobody would think the worse of someone having to do the same on a driving test.

It might also be he doesn't know his learning "style" yet.
Quite a lot of teachers "teach" how they "understand" things. Which is fine for them but it might not suit how somebody else learns.

It might be he is more practically minded and has to work out a way of introducing that to his English and Math?

Dunroamin

spacey2012 wrote: »

Listen, practical advice.
We have a generation of parents who think their kids are geniuses who can work and never get their hands dirty.
We also have an abundance of unemployed graduates and many of those with a job are flipping burgers and waiting tables.

Low academic marks does not mean failure, it means some people are better at using their hands than writing down what they read in a 30 year old book.

Someone has to do the work, someone has to get their hands dirty, the whole countries youth can not be brain surgeons.
We have a million young people unemployed and it has to be connected to the mentality that everyone kids are too clever to work syndrome that New labour sold us.

Start looking for a trade apprenticeship for the lad and forget academic trinkets.
He will be earning a living wage whilst the other kids are in 23, in 40k of debt with a cornflakes box degree and unemployed.

The only difference will be he will have one of the few remaining manual jobs, for sooner or later the unemployed million youth are going to have to get of their backsides, stop kidding themselves they are brain surgeons or rocket scientist and go get a manual job.

Now get behind the lad and find him an apprenticeship in a real trade such as building trades, mechanical or engineering.

Trust me this kidding ourselves bubble is going to burst and anyone who has a trade will be the ones who survive.

So chin up, the lad has a bright future and his lack of academic qualifications may be just what saves him from washing up with the other million who think they don't have to graft.

Except that apprenticeships are much harder to get than college places and it's far too late to be looking now! In addition, because of the shortage, employers can be very selective about who they take.

I'd recommend the level 2 course at college and looking for an apprenticeship at the appropriate time next year.

NB

You don't have to be in any way academic to get grade Cs at GCSE.

Dunroamin

ViolaLass wrote: »

I think if he were my son, I might be tempted to get him to look at something like an apprenticeship or try to get a job locally and work at that for a year. It would give him experience on his CV and time to think about what he wants to do. Could he carry on with the summer job?

If he likes it, it might be an avenue to look at. If he hates it, it could be the spur he needs to find something better.

Unless it's a job with a substantial amount of training, that isn't possible now. Don't forget the changes introduced this year.

daisiegg

Oh, I do feel sorry for your son, and wish I had something to suggest. I work in a girls' school and our lower achieving girls always go on to do hairdressing or childcare which they seem to be able to get into without Cs, and often are very good at.

What is the more 'male oriented' equivalent of hairdressing and childcare...?

*I am not saying only non-academic people do hairdressing or childcare, btw. (Anyway, not being academic does not mean you are unintelligent)

daisiegg

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

Bit harsh, some people are better at different things.

I think that is what Dunroamin is saying...? How is it harsh?

shop-to-drop

How about catering college? Always jobs in catering and good prospects for those successful and hardworking.

Person_one

daisiegg wrote: »

I think that is what Dunroamin is saying...? How is it harsh?

Its twisting the knife a bit for the poor OP. If even 'non academics' can get a C, what is she supposed to think when her son couldn't?

DR has a bit of a thing about supposed 'slipping standards' but I don't think a thread started by an upset mum is the right place for it.

(I'll delete this post if she deletes it)

daisiegg

Person_one wrote: »

Its twisting the knife a bit for the poor OP. If even 'non academics' can get a C, what is she supposed to think when her son couldn't?

DR has a bit of a thing about supposed 'slipping standards' but I don't think a thread started by an upset mum is the right place for it.

(I'll delete this post if she deletes it)

Ah, I see your point. I thought it was more encouraging, like, maybe he should try again. Oops!

Steffi747

I left school with only 2 GCSE's, both at D grade.

I felt like a failure and my initial intention was to resit the GCSE's at college but I changed my mind at the last minute and opted for a vocational course. I always felt left out and inadequate as my friends were studying for A Levels and have a good time, while I buckled down and studied hard.

At college I studied a BTEC Diploma that allowed me to progress to a National Diploma. I then progressed to University and have been in jobs with excellent prospects and opportunities within my chosen career since graduating. My current situation is better than most of my peers who studied A Levels and who I always felt jealous of.

It can be done, it takes hard work and commitment, but poor GCSE results should not be a barrier to your son if he has the right attitude.