A levels 2021

[2childmum]

Some schools around here encourage 4 A levels and then insist that students take the AS in the subject they want to drop. This does seem a bit strange to me, as most students will drop the subject they are least good at and therefore may not get a brilliant mark in the AS - but it has to go on the UCAS form. I also think there is the possibility that students doing this will focus so hard on the AS that they do less well in the internal end of year subject exams, and in many schools the predicted grades are based on those exams. I do wonder whether taking the AS under these circumstances is actually best for the students.

In all of DDs subjects the AS and the year 1 of A2 is exactly the same. The books are even labelled 'AS and Year 1 A level'.

I think when the exam boards originally published the specs there were several where the AS was different to the year 1 of A level, but I vaguely remember reading somewhere that schools complained about it, so many exam boards changed and made the AS the same as year 1. I could be imagining it though!

[Middlesexmum]

Joining here too.

Dd started with 4 - Class Civ, RS, History and Sociology. She has just dropped Sociology as a) she wasn't enjoying it as much as she thought she would, and b) she had a rough plan to drop one anyway.

Can I ask how your dc are finding Year 12 so far? I thought once GCSEs were over and done with, I naively thought Year 12 would be less stressful. But no. I don't know if it's just dd's character, but she's constantly worrying about work. She seems to be doing very well, essays are coming back with good marks and great comments....but she feels under so much pressure.

And....3 weeks into a new school, she broke her ankle She's hobbling around school in a boot and crutches. Doesn't help the social side as she can't access the Sixth Form centre at the moment. Yesterday we were back at the hospital again as she now has an infection on the top of that foot.

[kenyancowgirl]

If I'm honest, DS2 as never looked less stressed! He seems to be really enjoying 6th form - especially no lessons in the afternoon - has done literally no work at home as he assures us he is doing it all in his private study periods - this has been confirmed by all his teachers at parent evening and they all said he is achieving top grades so far.

[ToadMum]

Half a term in and DS2 seems to have decided that Art is the subject that he will drop after AS. I suppose it helps to have made a decision and since he now wants to study History of Art, rather than Architecture, carrying on with his one essay subject(Eng. Lit) makes sense, rather than Maths - Physics - Art. Just in case he decides to apply to Cambridge, after all. Other places (and not all Cambridge colleges) don't seem to have any strong preferences re A level subjects.

(He is adamant that he wants a campus university. Has visited Sussex on a campus tour and open days at Leeds - which he loved - and UEA. With which he became besotted when he and I went with DD to her applicant day. Much as I loved Leeds, I can see that the courses available at UEA might be more interesting).

[loobylou]

DD seems to be enjoying sixth form. She loves two of her three subjects and likes the other (one teacher she's not as sure about). She's still getting used to the fact that her best friends are together all the time and they are having to carve out time to make sure she sees them - but that seems to be improving too and she has lots of other friends she's spending time with. She's working hard but, because they're her favourite subjects, she seems to be happy with it. Early tests seem to have gone well.

[fairyelephant]

Middlesex Mum that sounds awful, best wishes for a speedy recovery. DS seems to be coping with his 4 so far, although parents’ eve next week may be revealing! Has just put in his topic for an EPQ (the effect of screens on the teenage brain lol). He did swap further maths for economics 2 weeks in, which I think was a combination of finding it quite challenging and the fact his sister was having a wobble with her Y13 further maths at the time, which was unfortunate timing. Has no idea what he might want to study at uni.

[salsa]

Oh! Feeling left out now. My son is doing the IB. I guess if I start a thread there won’t be many takers?

Salsa

[Manlyman]

Hi Everyone! I haven’t posted much but wondered if you would mind me joining this thread as feeling a bit daunted by the next step - uni. I first came on here for information for my younger son who has just started at grammar, which was invaluable. My eldest has also switched to a (different) local grammar for A levels (Physics, Maths and computer science). He is loving the new school and has suddenly started to socialise and participate in school open evenings. I’m so glad he chose to switch. Anyway, neither DH or myself went to uni and we are a bit daunted by what to do and when. DS1 is very laid back and just says he doesn’t care where he goes - he just wants to do computer science! I thought if I lurk on here I will know if we are doing the right things! Hope that’s OK?!

[tiffinboys]

Good that he is engaging with school.

[kenyancowgirl]

Manlyman, most Grammars have a careers adviser - get him to make an appointment with them and they will give him things to think about when looking for the right course/uni for him. There will also be someone in the 6th form with responsibility for UCAS who will also advise - and the school will probably run an Options post 18 evening too!

Very important he makes it clear that he is first generation to go to uni, as there are some real benefits to that (including reduced offers and bursaries at some institutions). And of course you can ask questions on here too!