Don't want to highjack other threads with specifics.
DS got his IGCSEs today and they are all C and B instead of predicted A*, meaning he is not making his 6 form offer.
DS is autistic and has a statement. He wants to do Maths, Further Maths and Physics as A levels, as these are his best and "easy" subjects. There isn't a back up option of doing Psychology and Media Studies as these would be a huge challenge to him. There is little sense to go to another college to do Media Studies...
He wants to do Engineering or Maths and Computing at University. With these IGCSE results this seem falling apart.
We thought of applying to other schools, but basically they also have high requirements for Maths and Further Maths. If he could get into another college 6 form for his desired subjects, he potentially could do them without changing school, we could just appeal and hang on to the current school based on his Statement status (at least hope as a plan). But his results are too low, so I really don't know what now.
What went wrong? Not clear. Mostly nerves. DS underperforms under pressure. Not good at exams. Not good at explanations in those science exam papers.
What is DS good at, what does he enjoy? Playing Minecraft, working on the computer. He learned to program.
He is good with MFLs, so he could eventually do French and German in 6 form (he got A in MFL IGCSEs). BUT, he is totally useless at esseys and probably would not make the A2 exams which require to write esseys. He certainly would have nothing to do in an MFL university course as he is useless with literature and language nuances. A dead end.
Back to computing. Actually we applied for an Apprenticeship in IT. Results are not clear, they are waiting for his grades. But even if he gets the Aprenticeship, it will be not in comuting and IT, but in Digital Marketing. Marketing is really not a career for Aspies. DS could make it as a first job, but not a career. How would he get back on track? He would need to return to 6 form and do 3 A levels including Maths to get into a Computing degree.
The thing is because of his ASD, his difficulties with social skills, interaction and communication, DS would struggle in those mid level service jobs in which normal people thrive. He needs something very technical, but doesn't seem to have the grades for it.
To be honest we don't know his Maths grades yet. We will know them tomorrow. But if they are not A*, tomorrow we will need a plan B.
What could we do?
Get his exam papers, see what went wrong?
Apply to other schools/collegues until we find one that will take him in 6 form for his desired subjects with Bs?
Hang on to 6 form by doing MFLs (A* on paper)?
Get the Digital Marketing Aprenticeship?
Get a different IT Aprenticeship (not many options after GCSEs, Help Desc aprenticeships require a lot of communication and interaction...)
What other routes are there into IT degrees?
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Unexpectedly low grades, lost for options
46 replies
HisMum4 · 20/08/2014 18:20
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