College informing my daughter she is a failure

ALIBOBSY

It's hard but for many years we have been telling kids exams are all, but they really aren't especially these days. TBH its more about knowing what area of work you want to go into and working out what pathways you can use to get there.

My OH despite doing well in his mocks at school was badly bullied and then got in with a bad crowd in his last year, came out with no qualification at all.

Did a YTS in IT starting at the bottom-he was always really into IT. After doing well at work he went back in his early twenties to uni and eventually in later years ended up a microsoft certified engineer. So those initial exams are the be all and end all, just one route.

Now my OH runs two self employed businesses after two redundancies in two years and some contracting and travel. So you never know where you will end up, this is a good lesson about bouncing back and being flexible and determined.

Ali x

System

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.

As a college tutor, I would recommend that you 'make a right fuss' over this, if you want your way. College's are extremely bothered about bad publicity and very prone to 'shooting from the hip'. I would say that don't make a fuss until you have all the facts...all to often the tutor's experience of a learner is VERY different to what parents think their children are like out of the family home...

pinkteapot

If there are entry requirements for the next stage and she didn't meet them, you need to look at the alternatives that people on here have suggested.

What I would complain to the college about is their communication. Was your daughter aware that she needed to get distinctions to progress? My University had exams at the end of the first year and you had to pass those to continue with your degree, but we knew that right from the start of the first year.

Course progression/requirements should be made absolutely clear to students. She'd still be upset by not getting the required grades, but she wouldn't (and shouldn't) have had the shock/out of the blue element.

Even if your complaint does nothing more than improve their communication to future students about the course structure.

Homeagain

creased-leach wrote: »

I take it she was born after Sept 1st '97? If so, is she not obliged to stay in some form of education for another year?

No she was born in 1996 December.

Homeagain

andydownes123 wrote: »

As a college tutor, I would recommend that you 'make a right fuss' over this, if you want your way. College's are extremely bothered about bad publicity and very prone to 'shooting from the hip'. I would say that don't make a fuss until you have all the facts...all to often the tutor's experience of a learner is VERY different to what parents think their children are like out of the family home...

Thank you, although I have calmed down a lot and my daughter and I have spoken in depth about the apprenticeship route (thanks to such good advice here), I do intend to 'make a fuss'. My sister-in-law is a governor at the college and she is very distressed about the way this has been handled and she too has approached the college for an explanation. We shall see. I am biding my time. As a matter of interest her reports state 'great student, lovely girl etc etc'. She has never caused any trouble and this I know. I have attended all the parents evenings although I was the only parent to attend on most occasions.

Andypandyboy

Homeagain wrote: »

Thank you, although I have calmed down a lot and my daughter and I have spoken in depth about the apprenticeship route (thanks to such good advice here), I do intend to 'make a fuss'. My sister-in-law is a governor at the college and she is very distressed about the way this has been handled and she too has approached the college for an explanation. We shall see. I am biding my time. As a matter of interest her reports state 'great student, lovely girl etc etc'. She has never caused any trouble and this I know. I have attended all the parents evenings although I was the only parent to attend on most occasions.

I think you are handling it well, it is never wise to show your hand before you are in possession of all the facts.

Is it possible that your daughter did in fact know what she needed to do but had a "head in sand" attitude?

Also, think carefully about what outcome you want. You may suceed in getting the college to take her on level 3, but it is a huge step up in terms of workload and expectation from level 2. Your daughter may feel the pressure and if ultimately, she can't do it, may feel more of a failure than she currently does.

I hope you manage to sort out a solution which is best for your daughter long term.

Homeagain

Andypandyboy wrote: »

I think you are handling it well, it is never wise to show your hand before you are in possession of all the facts.

Is it possible that your daughter did in fact know what she needed to do but had a "head in sand" attitude?

Also, think carefully about what outcome you want. You may suceed in getting the college to take her on level 3, but it is a huge step up in terms of workload and expectation from level 2. Your daughter may feel the pressure and if ultimately, she can't do it, may feel more of a failure than she currently does.

I hope you manage to sort out a solution which is best for your daughter long term.

Thank you, she may have had a 'head in the sand' attitude in some way but she really did try. I have sort of convinced her that perhaps she struggles academically as her talents lie elsewhere (she is more practical). I have bigged this up - the practical angle that is which is true in her case. I shall see tomorrow but the distress the college has caused her (and me)will not be ignored by me. Revenge is a dish best served cold I believe!

jackyann

Good luck today OP.

You do seem to have a very sensible attitude, and I hope you can sort out the best route for your daughter. She is lucky to have a parent who is so supportive.

missbiggles1

You need to remember that a level 3 BTEC is equivalent to A levels, so if she can't manage more than a D in English, she really is going to struggle with study at this level.

I think it would be unkind and pointless for you to push to get her a place on this course, I'm afraid.

Andypandyboy

Did you manage to sort out a solution OP?