College informing my daughter she is a failure

UKSBD

Sorry, haven't read every post, but after reading some of this thread am I correct in thinking;


If a college is classed as being inadequate because they have a low pass rate, they can just kick out those students who are at risk of getting lower grades?


The following year the college pass rates improves and the college is now classed as excellent because of the improvement in pass rates.

Gingernutty

UKSBD wrote: »

If a college is classed as being inadequate because they have a low pass rate, they can just kick out those students who are at risk of getting lower grades?

The following year the college pass rates improves and the college is now classed as excellent because of the improvement in pass rates.

Yup. It's a quick and dirty fix that works in the short term.

That's how it's always been too.

Growing up Catholic in London, there were girls in highly regarded convent run schools who were prevented from taking their A Levels because they were predicted fails and later, in paid work, I came across 'rusticated' university students who had been 'sent down' before they took their finals.

The hope being that those prevented would come back to work harder or give up and go home.

Homeagain

Andypandyboy wrote: »

Did you manage to sort out a solution OP?

Thank you so much for your concern and everybody's advice (except for the poster who says I am 'unkind' - just what I needed to hear). In any event, we went to the interview and my daughter was distraught. All her plans and ambitions up in smoke. They had the careers officer there (probably as a witness more than anything!) They were patronising and came up with some poor advice (e.g. 'how exciting, you can get a driver's licence now if you can pass your theory') Oh my word. In brief they tried to convince my daughter to go down the apprenticeship route as most of you have suggested which I would have liked her to do but she is refusing saying that there is no point, she is stupid and done with trying to beg for an education. I can see her point somewhat. I even asked if she could re-sit level 2 but they said 'there is no funding'. I believe this could be done just to get her self-confidence back. However she does not want to, is determined to be independent and refusing to consider anything else but getting a job. There is no convincing her and I think I'm going to have to accept it. I'm pleased to say that she ran her cv all over and managed to get the job she wanted in a restaurant and has worked every shift available in her determination and in this short space of time. So there we have it. No qualifications and a life of working in restaurants. I suppose its not the worst and I have heard stories of success in this field who knows. I just wanted the best for her, she hasn't had an easy start (her father died when she was a baby). For my own peace of mind I am still pursuing answers and especially an apology. My sister in law has called for an investigation not only because its personal but she says she would hate the thought of another child suffering like this and feels it is her responsibility to investigate the issue. I have been advised to go to the local press and the MP, strangely enough my daughter agreed to this, which I didn't expect. Should I?

Homeagain

UKSBD wrote: »

Sorry, haven't read every post, but after reading some of this thread am I correct in thinking;


If a college is classed as being inadequate because they have a low pass rate, they can just kick out those students who are at risk of getting lower grades?


The following year the college pass rates improves and the college is now classed as excellent because of the improvement in pass rates.

You have hit the nail on the head. Very unfair.

Homeagain

I might add that her grades were not bad although not enough, attendance behaviour etc excellent.

missbiggles1

Homeagain wrote: »

Thank you so much for your concern and everybody's advice (except for the poster who says I am 'unkind' - just what I needed to hear). In any event, we went to the interview and my daughter was distraught. All her plans and ambitions up in smoke. They had the careers officer there (probably as a witness more than anything!) They were patronising and came up with some poor advice (e.g. 'how exciting, you can get a driver's licence now if you can pass your theory') Oh my word. In brief they tried to convince my daughter to go down the apprenticeship route as most of you have suggested which I would have liked her to do but she is refusing saying that there is no point, she is stupid and done with trying to beg for an education. I can see her point somewhat. I even asked if she could re-sit level 2 but they said 'there is no funding'. I believe this could be done just to get her self-confidence back. However she does not want to, is determined to be independent and refusing to consider anything else but getting a job. There is no convincing her and I think I'm going to have to accept it. I'm pleased to say that she ran her cv all over and managed to get the job she wanted in a restaurant and has worked every shift available in her determination and in this short space of time. So there we have it. No qualifications and a life of working in restaurants. I suppose its not the worst and I have heard stories of success in this field who knows. I just wanted the best for her, she hasn't had an easy start (her father died when she was a baby). For my own peace of mind I am still pursuing answers and especially an apology. My sister in law has called for an investigation not only because its personal but she says she would hate the thought of another child suffering like this and feels it is her responsibility to investigate the issue. I have been advised to go to the local press and the MP, strangely enough my daughter agreed to this, which I didn't expect. Should I?

I hope you don't think that I said you were unkind, I said that it would be unkind to push her on a course for which she's academically unsuited which is a completely different thing.

It's unfair to say that she has no qualifications when she has a BTEC level 2, which is equivalent to 5 GCSEs or to denigrate "a life working in restaurants" if this is what she wants to do. Many people have fantastic careers in hospitality and, if she has found her niche here, she can do further qualifications either full or part time.

I'm sorry that both you and your daughter have been upset but I just don't understand how you think that she's been badly treated or why an apology is required.

tomtontom

If you do involve the press keep in mind that anything published is out there forever (employers often research potential staff), and people can be *very* unkind on such stories. It's not a situation I'd put myself in, let alone a young adult who is already feeling vulnerable.

It's disheartening now but she can return to study in the future. Maybe give her some time to work (and pay towards the household bills!) but remind her she always has the option to go back to college.

Homeagain

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I hope you don't think that I said you were unkind, I said that it would be unkind to push her on a course for which she's academically unsuited which is a completely different thing.

It's unfair to say that she has no qualifications when she has a BTEC level 2, which is equivalent to 5 GCSEs or to denigrate "a life working in restaurants" if this is what she wants to do. Many people have fantastic careers in hospitality and, if she has found her niche here, she can do further qualifications either full or part time.

I'm sorry that both you and your daughter have been upset but I just don't understand how you think that she's been badly treated or why an apology is required.

I am feeling rather fragile at the moment and sorry if I misconstrued your meaning but you used the term unkind. I am not pushing her to do anything that is beyond her, I am just concerned for her happiness and wellbeing. I believe she has indeed been badly treated and that an apology is essential due to the way this has been handled and the short notice, not to mention the manner in which she was informed of the decision.

Homeagain

tomtontom wrote: »

If you do involve the press keep in mind that anything published is out there forever (employers often research potential staff), and people can be *very* unkind on such stories. It's not a situation I'd put myself in, let alone a young adult who is already feeling vulnerable.

It's disheartening now but she can return to study in the future. Maybe give her some time to work (and pay towards the household bills!) but remind her she always has the option to go back to college.

Quite honestly I doubt I would ever go that far. In reality I don't think either my daughter or I could stand publicity of that level. I will keep reminding her of future options from time to time, you are quite right. Its hard to think of her paying towards the household bills but out of the blue she suggested it herself last night. It may unfortunately be necessary for a while as I did rely on CTC and had plans to look for a better paying job this year given that I thought it would be my daughter's last year of education. This has come as a complete surprise. Oh well, another worry.

missbiggles1

Homeagain wrote: »

I am feeling rather fragile at the moment and sorry if I misconstrued your meaning but you used the term unkind. I am not pushing her to do anything that is beyond her, I am just concerned for her happiness and wellbeing. I believe she has indeed been badly treated and that an apology is essential due to the way this has been handled and the short notice, not to mention the manner in which she was informed of the decision.

But it isn't really short notice, the results for BTEC courses are never, IME, formalised until August when the moderator visits.

What would be a cause for complaint is if they'd accepted her on a course she was unlikely to pass and on which she could've wasted 2 years of her life.

I'm not going to say any more as you're obviously upset and, hopefully, time will put this into perspective.

Good luck to your daughter.:)