College informing my daughter she is a failure

Homeagain

I'm not too sure if this is the right forum but here goes.
Today my daughter received a call from the college where she is about to go into her second year studying Travel and Tourism advising her that she is not good enough (they require distinctions apparently) to continue to the next level. She has received two letters confirming that she is to start next week. This has come out of the blue (new lecturer) and I have to say that although she struggles academically, she is a good student, never missed a day nor an assignment and I can truly say that she tries very hard and has done her best. I think she probably falls into the category of being one of the lowest in her class but certainly not a failure - I have always been assured by her previous lecturers that she is doing just fine. I have never had any warning that there would be problems. Needless to say she is devastated. I have spoken to the college and they suggested an apprenticeship. I looked online and there are none. The Government encourages young people to stay in education which is exactly what she wants to do - but what on earth can be done now? Does she now have to join the queues at the Job Centre. I think this is so unfair - she is so fragile now that I'm honestly scared to leave her on her own. Should I write to my Local MP? I'm not in the habit of being pushed around especially when it comes to my child and I am not prepared to walk away without a fight. This is her future.

GwylimT

If they have space on the course she should be able to retake the year to achieve the required standard. If that isn't possible she will have to have a good look around to find something that does meet her ability better.

At my last school to continue into year 14 you have to either achieve C at AS or a distinction in other courses, some colleges advise this on their course info pages regarding entry into the second year, some don't and just have in their entry package. It isn't that unusual, we have one locally that doesn't as they are the go to place for those who aren't quite as able academically, so maybe you could look at other schools/colleges in the county as well.

jackyann

You have my sympathies - this should have been dealt with much better. As a parent, you have to separate out what you are dealing with:
one is the poor handling of this situation
The other is indeed whether our daughter should continue with this course

I suggest that you ask to see someone who knows how this course works and about the job opportunities it affords - this may be the Head of department, but may be a senior lecturer. In order to help your daughter, you don't want someone who will apologise for the poor communication, but not give you real help.
Insist on seeing in person someone who can help - threaten a formal complaint if need be.

Then ask this person what is going on - and - if this were their daughter, what would they advise? If this person says "apprenticeship" ask exactly how to go about it, in detail. Also ask their exact reasoning about this.

Honestly, however badly they have handled this, if your daughter is not up to it, then she is better putting her energy and commitment into a course that will help her, not foundering on one she can't manage.

I think you should complain about their handling of this, but at present your priority is a course that will help your daughter into the best job she can do.

good luck

kelpie35

Is there no way she might be able to apply or get a full time job in your area.

I am not an advocate of going to college / university as I feel that a lot of money and time is wasted. A lot of people leave not being able to secure a job and in loads of debt.

southoftheriver

kelpie35 wrote: »

Is there no way she might be able to apply or get a full time job in your area.

I am not an advocate of going to college / university as I feel that a lot of money and time is wasted. A lot of people leave not being able to secure a job and in loads of debt.

Surely that depends on what they are studying? Not sure my patients would like me operating on them without any formal education... Vocational courses tend to have better employment rates than purely academic ones.

Your daughter has been treated unfairly. I'd definitely want to talk to someone in person about this. Good luck!

Homeagain

jackyann wrote: »

You have my sympathies - this should have been dealt with much better. As a parent, you have to separate out what you are dealing with:
one is the poor handling of this situation
The other is indeed whether our daughter should continue with this course

I suggest that you ask to see someone who knows how this course works and about the job opportunities it affords - this may be the Head of department, but may be a senior lecturer. In order to help your daughter, you don't want someone who will apologise for the poor communication, but not give you real help.
Insist on seeing in person someone who can help - threaten a formal complaint if need be.

Then ask this person what is going on - and - if this were their daughter, what would they advise? If this person says "apprenticeship" ask exactly how to go about it, in detail. Also ask their exact reasoning about this.

Honestly, however badly they have handled this, if your daughter is not up to it, then she is better putting her energy and commitment into a course that will help her, not foundering on one she can't manage.

I think you should complain about their handling of this, but at present your priority is a course that will help your daughter into the best job she can do.

good luck

Thank you, in one way I expect you are right. No good getting apologies at this late stage, that's not going to get her anywhere. The thing is she so wants to complete this course and I believe she can, with help - this will be a whole year wasted for her and she loves the course and wants to continue. I cannot convince her otherwise. I have made an appointment with the new lecturer (or head of department as this woman keeps reminding me) to discuss other options. She is not very pleasant either.

Homeagain

kelpie35 wrote: »

Is there no way she might be able to apply or get a full time job in your area.

I am not an advocate of going to college / university as I feel that a lot of money and time is wasted. A lot of people leave not being able to secure a job and in loads of debt.

Thanks for your reply however it would be quite hard for her (and a huge blow to her confidence) to try and get a job at this late stage especially as she now has no completed education I would think.

GwylimT

Homeagain wrote: »

Thanks for your reply however it would be quite hard for her (and a huge blow to her confidence) to try and get a job at this late stage especially as she now has no completed education I would think.

Does she not have GCSEs or any BTECs?

Homeagain

GwylimT wrote: »

Does she not have GCSEs or any BTECs?

She does but only got a D in English - now she can't even re take that I suppose.

sammyjammy

I'm a bit confused. Did she take exams at the end of the first year? Did she pass all of these? If she did I can't see that they can now tell her she cannot continue in the course. If she didn't pass them all did she get the opportunity to retake? Would she have not retaken her english GCSE in her first year or have I missed something?

Andypandyboy

Usually the requirement for moving to the next year is clear. My experience is that students will have been reminded numerous times throughout the year of the standard they are required to achieve. If this genuinely hasn't happened then you do indeed have cause for complaint.


Many colleges are now trying to raise their standing by shedding students who are unlikely to achieve, but ,as you quite rightly say, an alternative needs to be found for those students caught up in that.

I think you need to be clear how this situation has arisen and from there try to find a way forward.