College informing my daughter she is a failure

Homeagain

sammyjammy wrote: »

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?

Yes she did retake English in her first year at college and managed a D. We have not had her exam results as regards the course but she did not fail as I understand - a distinction was required apparently - she only got merits all year. I don't understand why she can't retake the exams for her course to achieve a distinction and will certainly take this up with them. In fact I'm as confused as you are! Quite frankly I have helped her with the course and its not rocket science - I have seen all her assignments etc and nothing was wrong with them, they met the criteria. I just don't understand it.

Homeagain

Andypandyboy wrote: »

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.

You are certainly right there and she was reminded throughout the year of the standard expected and she strove to meet that. As I understand it, this college was doing badly and there has been huge shake ups all round which is good. I also have the feeling that you are right about shedding the lower achieving students and again that an alternative needs to be found for such students. Thank you, I have a little hope after the initial shock. I, like all parents I guess, hate seeing my child distressed. I think I can see a little more clearly now and will address all the issues and suggestions that you all have so kindly given when I face this miserable woman I'm going to see on Friday.
Thank you all.

RAS

I assume that she is studying a BTEC National?

Is this course offered at any other college or school locally? Could she transfer there?

I suspect that the new head of department has been tasked with improving the grades achieved by the students as this affects the college's ranking and progression rates. One way to do this is to strip out any student who is not achieving top marks and does not have the key GCSEs.

You daughter may not be a high flyer but many universities would accept MMM (240 points) at BTEC for some courses; see http://courses.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/ or http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate/undergraduate-courses.aspx

I would be very surprised if Canterbury do not drop from 280 to 240 points in Clearing.

The GCSE English might be more of an issue with employers and universities.

Is you daughter currently under 19 years of age? If so she can start another course immediately.

Homeagain

Thank you too RAS for your reply and the expression 'not much of a high flyer' - very apt in my daughter's case - kind of sums her up really but it certainly does not put her into the category of a failure which is just how she is feeling right now.
I looked at the site (thank you) but I don't think her results are good enough. However I think I will give them a ring anyway.
Surely if she has not achieved in her first year of college no other college would offer a place to continue? I think that further
rejection would be worse for her?

tomtontom

I'd be more concerned at her lack of GCSE's in Maths and English - this will be her biggest hurdle to finding employment, and needs addressing as a priority.

RAS

Homeagain wrote: »

Surely if she has not achieved in her first year of college no other college would offer a place to continue? I think that further rejection would be worse for her?

Homeagain wrote: »

We have not had her exam results as regards the course but she did not fail as I understand - a distinction was required apparently - she only got merits all year.

Well plainly she has been achieving if she has been getting merits! Just not quite what the new department head now requires.

It would be well worth asking other colleges if they would take her in the situation; I suspect they will be inundated with rejected students from her old college, so do it quickly.

Andypandyboy

Homeagain wrote: »

Yes she did retake English in her first year at college and managed a D. We have not had her exam results as regards the course but she did not fail as I understand - a distinction was required apparently - she only got merits all year. I don't understand why she can't retake the exams for her course to achieve a distinction and will certainly take this up with them. In fact I'm as confused as you are! Quite frankly I have helped her with the course and its not rocket science - I have seen all her assignments etc and nothing was wrong with them, they met the criteria. I just don't understand it.

BTEC marking changed radically for the last academic year. Prior to that assignments could be returned for remarking with pointers being given as to how the student could raise their mark from pass to merit and merit to distinction. Now, that is not the case, if assignments are late they can be capped at a pass, and marking cannot give pointers to the student it can only be factual.

The thinking behind it is that as it is assignment based but the results can lead to unversity entrance it should be as similar to an exam as possible, so a "one shot" deal if you will. Previously, an assignment could be bounced back numerous times which did give those doing BTEC an advantage over those doing AS/A levels.

To meet this challenge colleges are teaching differently, they are, or they should be, ensuring that every student is aware of exactly how they can meet each level. For a distinction much more depth and analysis is needed than for a merit, and many students think thay have achieved it when the reality is different. Assignments are now also much more heavily moderated as if a college is found not to be adhering to the letter of the BTEC scheme their accreditation can be removed.

I doubt she will be allowed to resit as the funding to repeat the year may not be available.

Many colleges (most) are also heavily involved in apprenticeships so I would push for practical help for your daughter if they feel she cannot continue.

Good luck.

Homeagain

tomtontom wrote: »

I'd be more concerned at her lack of GCSE's in Maths and English - this will be her biggest hurdle to finding employment, and needs addressing as a priority.

Thank you, I agree! However, as she has been 'chucked out of college' where do I go from here?

RAS

What other colleges are available. Please start to work that out. If you daughter is under 19 years of age, she may well be able to get into another course. However, you may have to fund GCSE retakes (I see students with up to 6 attempts).

GwylimT

Homeagain wrote: »

Thank you, I agree! However, as she has been 'chucked out of college' where do I go from here?

She should be calling local colleges and discussing her options. Not many colleges will take students with GCSEs in maths, science and English unless they have experience in the study area, so she may struggle to get onto her course with anothet provider until she completes her GCSEs, you can do it in one year rather than two.