The Student Room Group

First year A levels

This email is on behalf of my son as we are in the dark at present, he has just completed his first year of his chosen 3 subjects (business studies, sociology and psychology ) however, his business studies result was not what he expected (E) with his other subjects B & C, can he attend a second year of A levels and if so will he need to choose an alternative for Business Studies. When he got his results he was not told what would happen next and we are now panicking, as he wants to continue with his A levels.
He should talk to the head of sixth form / his tutor as a lot of schools have a policy of attaining a certain grade in order to continue with the course however not all. An E is still technically a pass, if he was getting better grades throughout the year then the school would probably allow him to stay and continue with these 3 subjects. In worst case scenario he would have to choose another subject instead of business but that is unlikely, a lot of year 12 students struggle in the first year.
Thank yo very much for the reply.

It just so happens that they are now all on Summer break and no one is available to talk to at the School, hence our slight concern and to hopefully have an idea of what happens next (does he just go back to school as normal) or wait to be contacted etc
Original post by Joanne2001
He should talk to the head of sixth form / his tutor as a lot of schools have a policy of attaining a certain grade in order to continue with the course however not all. An E is still technically a pass, if he was getting better grades throughout the year then the school would probably allow him to stay and continue with these 3 subjects. In worst case scenario he would have to choose another subject instead of business but that is unlikely, a lot of year 12 students struggle in the first year.
Reply 3
Original post by Derekand lewis
Thank yo very much for the reply.

It just so happens that they are now all on Summer break and no one is available to talk to at the School, hence our slight concern and to hopefully have an idea of what happens next (does he just go back to school as normal) or wait to be contacted etc

Firstly, it is amazing that his school has given out these results but has not given any guidance on what happens next. You should not be left in the position where you don't know what is going to happen next year. This appears to be very poor from the school.

Many schools have expectations of first year attainment in order to carry on in the second year, and this varies greatly. I would say that it is reasonable for schools to advise students that if they do not get a D or above in their first year, they are unlikely to be successful at the end of two years, and it may be best to take another subject instead. However, some schools have had much harsher policies in the past, requiring A or B grades at the end of the first year, and there was an outcry when St Olave's did this recently, and it was eventually established that it is illegal to remove students from A Level courses because of their first year performance. So, if your son wants to continue with this course, the school are not legally able to stop him from doing so.

The important thing is whether or not this is a good idea. There are all sorts of reasons why a student may get an E at the end of the first year. In your son's case, the fact that he has better grades for his other subjects suggests that he is a good student and may well be able to improve his E in the long run. If he thinks he can turn around his Business result, it would be fair to give him the chance.

So I wouldn't worry.
Again, thank you very much for your guidance and comments.

My son has come on enormously over the last year or so and has proved to the school and teachers that he can and will do well. Even prior to his A levels the Biology teachers said he would not do well in his GCSE's, therefore he spent more time studying and making sure he proved them wrong, and guess what he got top marks and could have done Biology for A levels, however decided on his current route.....he he


Original post by Pangol
Firstly, it is amazing that his school has given out these results but has not given any guidance on what happens next. You should not be left in the position where you don't know what is going to happen next year. This appears to be very poor from the school.

Many schools have expectations of first year attainment in order to carry on in the second year, and this varies greatly. I would say that it is reasonable for schools to advise students that if they do not get a D or above in their first year, they are unlikely to be successful at the end of two years, and it may be best to take another subject instead. However, some schools have had much harsher policies in the past, requiring A or B grades at the end of the first year, and there was an outcry when St Olave's did this recently, and it was eventually established that it is illegal to remove students from A Level courses because of their first year performance. So, if your son wants to continue with this course, the school are not legally able to stop him from doing so.

The important thing is whether or not this is a good idea. There are all sorts of reasons why a student may get an E at the end of the first year. In your son's case, the fact that he has better grades for his other subjects suggests that he is a good student and may well be able to improve his E in the long run. If he thinks he can turn around his Business result, it would be fair to give him the chance.

So I wouldn't worry.

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