College informing my daughter she is a failure

Andypandyboy

peachyprice wrote: »

Yes, it is correct. Not all colleges will demand a distinction to progress though. OP's college didn't until they got a new HoD.

I've just looked at my local college and all BTEC level 3 courses require a merit at level 2, not distinction, exactly as OP's daughter was expecting.

The OP said that the college had been clear on expectation to progress - she didn't say what that was (merit or distinction)

Not all colleges may require it, but in the current climate many will, and what is shown on the website/prospectus is not always what is the reality. Nor did the OP say what level her daughter was studying at. That will also have a bearing on progression.

Your link mentions GCSE's in Maths and English, the OP's daughter does not have those.

There are a lot of variables and unknowns here so there is little point building up the Op's hopes if it is unlikely to be the outcome.

susancs

I wonder if they have changed the goal posts this year in regard to GCSE minimum grades required to carry on, rather than her "failing" in this course. The reason I ask is that we had a student on placement in the school I work in and I understood she was doing well on the course. However she came in very upset one day and said she was not being allowed to continue on to the next year as she did not have GCSEs at C and above in English and Maths. She had been told it was the Govt who changed the minimum entry requirements. I understood that she had been offered other courses that did not require this minimum entry requirement. I would have thought they woudl have discussed any such situation before now.

Homeagain

peachyprice wrote: »

What grade did she actually get, was it a pass?

If she has passed there's no reason why she can't take the second year at another college, perhaps one that treats their students with a little more dignity.

I haven't received her results but I know she did not get the required distinction. Your reply has made me cry - (all she needs is for them to treat her with a little more dignity).

Homeagain

Andypandyboy wrote: »

The qualification is a BTEC Diploma in whatever, they have various levels- level 1/2/3 and extended diplomas. Which level was it?

Thank you, Level 3

fierystormcloud

Homeagain wrote: »

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.

(((HUGS))) Awwwwww, your poor daughter! She must feel like poop at the mo. Bless her little heart.

However I must agree with the people (like Thorsoak) saying that not everyone is academically great, and if she can't do too well in GCSE, should she even be doing A levels? However, just coz someone isn't great academically, this doesn't mean they are 'failures' at ALL. There are so many roads to go down. The one I feel would suit your daughter would be an apprenticeship. In a field of work she enjoys of course... And I am sure she will find one eventually. As some have said, if she cannot get above D in GCSE, then she is REALLY gonna struggle in A levels.

One of my niece's friends was told she had to repeat year 2 after not doing well in year 1, and she said 'stuff that!' and gave up college and decided to go full time at H & M where she was working 12 hours a week already.

Within 3 years she had graduated to Store Manager, on £30K a year. At 22. Company car, 35% off all clothes, and a great social life with many friends who work there.

So she doesn't have a 'professional career' but she absolutely LOVES the job.

My other niece's boyfriend got 1 'E' grade and 2 'U' grades in his A levels. He is (by his own admission) rubbish at the 3 R's and only went to college because he was expected to by the school. It was virtually mandatory. After not doing well in his A levels, he applied for an apprenticeship in I.T. at the Inland revenue. He is 21, and now brings in £320 a week. He loves his job too and has lot of prospects in that job.

I could tell you a dozen more stories like this, and I am sure many others could too; along with stories of people who did a university degree who are now working in Greggs. As Cal from titanic said 'you make your OWN luck.'

This is all happening for a REASON. Tell your daughter to hang on to her hat, because something better is just around the corner!

She will be fine. But I do think an apprenticeship may be the way to go. The college should really be helping her with this.

Homeagain

RAS wrote: »

This very very much depends on what sort of diploma?

Is this a BTEC/Edexcel National Diploma or Extended Diploma? A 90 credit Diploma?

Or [FONT=&quot]Level 3 Diploma or[/FONT] BTEC Specialist QCF Diploma[FONT=&quot]

See https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications.html

May do your head in but ..............

Also check https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/getting-started/entry-requirements/tariff/tariff-tables as that give you some idea which course are considered "academic" and which purely vocational
[/FONT]

Thank you, will check this out when I'm not feeling quite so jumbled up in my head and fragile.

GwylimT

Homeagain wrote: »

Thank you, Level 3

Level 3 is equivalent to A-level. A level one is equivalent to G-D at GCSE so she may be better suited to starting the route at level 1.

Homeagain

Thank you fierystormcloud, that is indeed practical advice too and probably I know in my heart its the best way to go. I might just show your reply to my daughter to try and mend her shattered confidence and I will expect the college's assistance with this option and will point it out to Mrs Unpleasantpants when I go to see her.

fierystormcloud

Homeagain wrote: »

Thank you fierystormcloud, that is indeed practical advice too and probably I know in my heart its the best way to go. I might just show your reply to my daughter to try and mend her shattered confidence and I will expect the college's assistance with this option and will point it out to Mrs Unpleasantpants when I go to see her.

:j:j:j You are welcome. And as I said, I reckon every last person on this forum can tell a similar tale. That they know people who didn't do great in exams but still went onto great things.

It seems like a crappy time now, but it will all be OK in the end.

All this is happening for a reason.

I hope she feels OK soon. :beer:

Andypandyboy

Homeagain wrote: »

Thank you, Level 3

So she was on a level 2 and wanted to progress to level 3? The entry criteria for level 2 usually has Maths/English at C as a requirement.

Entry qualifications have been tightened/applied more rigorously in the last year I am afraid, for the reasons previously mentioned.

I think that the re sit result coupled with the merit will be the issue. Obviously GCSE results were only known last week so the college have acted as soon as they could. I suspect progression was conditional on a C.

I really feel for you, but at least from this thread I hope you are better informed as to some avenues that can be explored?