A-level options

Next step

• No longer AS then A2 (1 year each)• … but likely still “3-5 AS equivalent first”• All AS exams end yr 12 – continue some + resit• BTEC for some – are you suitable?• 75/25 split reverses to Spec / Gen from GCSE• Slight two-layer effect acad vs pract• MUCH MORE AND HARDER WORK• “Free” lessons. These do not exist, really.

Dates and help

• PSHE activity: spread through next few weeks• Options Evening (+parents)• “Help me!”: Monday MDR clinic pre-deadline• Deadline: usually January• Full details of process: LRO in Options Evening

Miss the deadline = getting to the bakers late. You get what’s left. And no sympathy.

Effects from GCSE / for uni

• “Drop 1-4 grades, average 2”• Minimum GCSE A-level is B• Real minimum is A• Much wider reading and self-tasking required

• BBC is bottom of “reasonable” uni band• AAB is common minimum for good unis• World-class needs A*A*A

Bad reasons to choose

• What my friends are doing (please, distract me some more so I can fail even worse)

• It’s the easiest (at simple GCSE)• I like the teacher (who will change next year, if

it’s not a single-teacher subject)• Lots of people are doing it (runs under bus)• My parents say I must (sigh)• I’ve screwed up all the rest, time for new stuff

Good reasons to choose

• I enjoy it enough to feel motivated to work at it• I’m genuinely better at it than other subjects• It’s critical to my future (or a good balance with

other options if I’m not sure)• It’s academic / practical / written / numerate

according to my strengths / balance of options• Small class size = more teaching attention• There are career reasons to think it’s a bonus• High-fliers and vocationalists – special choices

Careers issues

• Maths / Sci / IT key to engineer / science / med / comp• Eng / Hist / Media / MFL for law, diplomacy, journalism• Psych / Geog best employment prospects• Esp MFL – choose for JOB not LIKE (more should)• Specialist or for balance – PE, DT, Art, Drama etc; careful

for careers (be a realist)• Top unis want A* (some preference for “traditional”

subjects) in almost any mix and MAX of 2 traditional• Choose right type – Eco or Bus or BTEC Bus?• Which industries? Which skills? For a DECADE ON

Careers issues (2)

“My dad / mum says…”• you can make it without grades (it’s not Life on Mars)• Unis are desperate to get rounded candidates (but can be

more discerning than ever)• I should be an X (listen, but be very critical)• I shouldn’t ever do Z (why? but maybe right)• you have to know… (listen on money, ignore on other)• your older brother did… (smile, nod and ignore)• what’s Options Evening? (get them here)• nowt, but I know they want to know (TALK TO THEM)

DON’T PANIC

• Talk to parents, teachers & people in years above• Choose probable preferences early• Blocks won’t turn out how you want• Get as close as you can and consider underpinning

rationale / next best thing• Research uni courses / entry reqs

• Work like a maniac for GCSE or it’s all for nothing• … but you will soon see how little work you do