Aacademic classes for GCSE level

[ncom]

Dear all,

I am so happy that I found this web site.

Background -
Best friend's DC had some mental illness (probably went undiagnosed till it became acute). Outcome - much lower results than predicted in GCSEs (all c's where predicted A/A*), further mental health deterioation, hospitalisation..... gradual recovery in 4-6 months time. Missed the whole school year (had a gap year before - unable to settle in a new school abroad from where the illness accelerated).

Bottom line, inadequate GCSE grades, 2 years gap, low confidence, camhs not very helpful with community reintegration (school finding etc).

DC's mum(my best friend) is very sad. DC wanted to study medicine and had very good results up to kS3. Always in the top group in school. But DC can't do science or maths as DC has only a c in GCSE (min B reqd).

Now -

1. Mum has put DC in some extra curricular activities to get her life back on track (sports, music arts etc)
   
   
2. Re academics, folowing options -
   a) Resit GCSE and then A levels - loses one more year plus don't know abt performance (incase illness strikes). OTOH starting with GCSE may be better than jumping straight into A levels.
   b) Do whatever subjects school allows to do in A levels.
   c) Do a vocational course. Btec - arts and design, travel and tourism, business studies etc. I need not say the career impact here...
   
   Please would you give some advice what choice would be good ?
   
   Also, please can anyone let me know what classes are available for GCSE level (Kumon type for example) for English, Maths and Science to start with. Mum can enroll DC in one of them in the summer holidays and see how much stress DC can handle and it may help to brush up GCSE study even if DC does A levels later. This will also keep DC engaged.
   
   Sorry for the long post.......

[magentadreamer]

I'm guessing that the DC is 18 going on 19 and this could limit funding for state 6th form and FE colleges as I believe it only goes up to 19. I would get your friend to speak to the LEA regarding funding. It might be that the DC could do a part time GCSE/A level course whilest being in reciept of benefits and there by get course fees paid. In my local area the FE college doesn't do A levels any more and only Maths and English GCSE. I know the DC had wanted to do Medicine but another way into HE could be via an Access course and onto a course that might not be as stressful.I'm not an expert but given how competitive Medicine is a candidate with a load of resists might not even get to the interview stage.

As for Kumon type classes, I'd suggest that your friend googled tuition centres or something similar. Most Kumon/Kip McGrath centres tend to be for 5-16yrs. Has your friend thought about engaging a tutor or distance learning?

[ShrinkingViolet]

look into OU (think there's funding as it's based on the DC's income and not parental income) - and then there's the possibility of transferring ot a different university using OU courses as evidence of academical ability.

[LadyLapsang]

Can you give a bit more information?

What age is the DC?

What country does s/he live in?

How is her health now and has his / her mother been given likely prognosis?

Can the parents afford independent school / college fees?

[ncom]

Sorry for the delay in replying. It took me a while to contact the friend and get relevant answers.

DC has just turned 18 (in June)
DC lives in England.
Health is stable since last 6 months (although a bit low on confidence....... considering how bright dc was earlier, almost par with g&t )
Independent School - friend is a single mum. For a couple of years she may afford but not more than that I would guess (although it will stretch her budget a lot)

Thank you for the OU and distance learning suggestions. Is it possible to do science subjects for distance learning ? If yes, how do they manage the practical component ?

Thanks a lot for your feedback.

[purits]

Have you tried asking / searching the Home Ed section to see if they have any helpful ideas.

[webwiz]

Yes it is possible to do science degrees with the OU - the practical component is taught in a residental week if it is needed. I would recommend taking one of the science courses as a starting point and then she could study at home but would be doing something challenging that would help her future. She wouldn't necessarily have to complete a full science degree as the courses are self contained and as said before they would give evidence of her ability.

I can't recommend the OU highly enough and would go straight to that rather than going back to A levels.

[ncom]

Apologies, 'Inadequate GCSEs' could be misleading.

Here is more correct info -

DC has 13 GCSEs -

1 A
10 Cs
1 D
1 E

(key subjects, Maths,Science(double award),English lang are cs).
But it seems the local schools won't let DC study science or maths subjects (they need a B or higher).

purits, thanks! I will search the home ed section.

[mummytime]

Definitely consider the OU! I am considering it for my 14 year old, if things get too bad at school (he loves his Physics teacher but is still underachieving in most subjects).

I have studied with the OU and their courses are great, and you can transfer to a traditional university in the long term if you want.

[LadyLapsang]

Perhaps it would be worth the DC seeing a Disability Employment Advisor at the Jobcentre and asking for a referral to an Occupational Psychologist; alternatively, if her health is now good, she could arrange to see a careers advisor (depending on where she lives and the availability of qualified advisors she may have to pay to get a good one).

I think it would be pretty ambitious for her to aim for medical school. Friend of DS about to go (hopefully) - 10 As / 1 A at GCSE, on target for 4As / As at A Level, relevant long term work experience (3 years) and all the usual.. Prefect, Head of Societies, Duke of Edinburgh etc. It is very competitive.

[mumeeee]

Some FE colleges will fund full time ciurses after the age of 18. DD3 18 is dyspraxic and has done a couple of courses at college since leaving school mainly to gain confidence ( high school wasn't very good and she didn't do well in her GCSEs). She is now going to do the BTECH IT first Diploma( which is equivelent to GCSE) at the college and then hopefully go on to the higher level one ( equivelent to A level). There were several couses she could have done, She has a friend at the college who is 21 and has just finished NVQ in catering. These courses have all been free except for £10 enrollement fee and some equipment cost, So Perhaps your friend could look at a local college.