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

shop-to-drop

Saying someone is not academic is not an insult. If you think it is your interpretation of academic must be wrong. I would consider those that are academic to be welll above average rather than average.

tillycat123

Steffi747 wrote: »

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.

Steffi - Could I ask what you decided to study at college?

I'm not insulted by any of the remarks, please it's ok. He is not academic, fact. He is also not good enough for an apprenticeship as others have said you need the grades. Its not about him or me wanting him to go on to do 'A' levels, thats not going to happen, but just to have a fighting chance of any job, even stacking shelves they ask for your grades at GCSE.

pollypenny

I would investigate courses in your nearest college.

After years of teaching, I am convinced that pupils find their niches as they get older.

He may think it worthwhile to take resist classes in English & Maths, too.

Re the school closing, staff, who most think are on holiday, will have been there since 7.30 sorting the results slips and giving them out. I was always around to speak to my tutor group and other pupils if they needed advice, too. Maybe your son just wanted to get off home.

aliasojo

tillycat123 wrote: »

He is also not good enough for an apprenticeship as others have said you need the grades.

Don't count him out for an apprenticeship just yet, determination and a willingness can sometimes count for a lot depending on what field he tries to get into.

My lad left school at 16. I despaired about his future, even moreso because his cousin (same age/same class) went off to Uni to study engineering.

Fast forward a few years, cousin dropped out of Uni and got a job in the hospitality trade which he later left and son got lucky with a firm who were willing to give him a chance. He now works all over the world (Canada presently) and is a high rate tax payer in his early 20's.

I understand your worry but life does have a habit off throwing curve balls sometimes so try not to get too focused on what qualifications he doesn't have.

Good luck. x

FatVonD

OP, my son didn't get any C grades either, he's the youngest in the year (not 16 until this week!) left handed and has always struggled. He's also lazy but he tried really hard to get a C in Maths and English (only because he knew he'd have to retake them this year if he didn't get a C) but to no avail

Luckily he's always wanted to be a chef and did a level 1 NVQ through years 10 and 11 which he passed so he can now start level 2 along with the A-C grades that haven't done level 1 IYSWIM.

I've seen plenty of apprenticeships advertised that would see him gain the level 2 qualification while working at the same time which I think might be a better route into the workplace but he wants to be in a class with his peers rather than be the only apprentice in a kitchen full of adults and he is still young so I can kind of understand it.

My step son flunked all his GCSEs last year and couldn't get onto the music course he wanted to do. He went to college to retake them and didn't bother turning up most of the time. He's now started an apprenticeship in a guitar shop and is loving every minute of it!

Now everyone is academic and I figure everyone is always going to need to eat, right?

Steffi747

tillycat123 wrote: »

Steffi - Could I ask what you decided to study at college?

I'm not insulted by any of the remarks, please it's ok. He is not academic, fact. He is also not good enough for an apprenticeship as others have said you need the grades. Its not about him or me wanting him to go on to do 'A' levels, thats not going to happen, but just to have a fighting chance of any job, even stacking shelves they ask for your grades at GCSE.

I started off studying Manufacturing Engineering at college and my degree is in Aerospace Engineering.

I may be slightly biased, but I believe that an Engineering course is a good foundation for a variety of industries due to wide variety of subjects covered.

susancs

OP, I have friends whose children got similar GCSE results to your son that they did work for but have more of a "hands on" physical learning style so a lot of the literacy aspects of courses were harder for them. They have all done college courses in various trades such as plumbing, carpentry, electrics, plastering, brick laying during which they had to work in placements for a couple of days a week and the majority of them ended up being offered paid work by their placement. They also seem to have the opportunity to do private work at weekends as there is always someone looking for work to be done.

sukysue

TC I know the school has failed your son big time but is there any way he could resit his GCSE'S ? This link may help you too
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-23440867
Good luck TC tell him it feels like the end of the world but it really isn't .

FatVonD

Have just found out, since my last post, that my son has got the weekend job he interviewed for on the basis of having his level 1 catering NVQ He'll be doing 4 hours each day, Sat and Sunday for £8 per hour, I am well chuffed (and so is he in a teenage boy couldn't possibly show it kind of way! :rotfl: )

Dunroamin

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

Bit harsh, some people are better at different things.

Why is that harsh, of course different people are good at different things. The point is that GCSEs aren't particularly academic exams and not everybody realises that.

Academic isn't the same thing as bright!