School refusing to continue A level course half-way through

[mwgdrwg]

I am a burning ball of furious anger about this!

My daughter is being dumped in another school to continue her A Level in physics because she is the only one left studuying it (the others dropped out or failed).

It's fucking up her final year at school, she is stressed and depressed.

We live in a rural area, so waiting for transport and travelling is taking up 3-6 hours of her timetable. She has to catch up on two classes she misses as it is. The new school way of teaching is different, she feels dumb and is lost.

Had a meeting with the school that tried to get her to drop it for an AS in something she hates. The local authoruty said the only thing they can help with is making the taxi turn up.

Don't know what to do next, contact our MP I suppose.

She has been a model student and this is how she is treated, by having her A Levels ruined.

Anyone in education have some insight.

Grrrrrrrrr!

 

[littlebabyjesus]

That's fucking mad. Physics of all subjects. How can a school not offer physics A level? Sorry no advice, but that's a complete fucking disgrace.

 

[mwgdrwg]

That's fucking mad. Physics of all subjects. How can a school not offer physics A level? Sorry no advice, but that's a complete fucking disgrace.

They offered it, but are stopping it half-way through. Talk about lack of commitment from the school.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

They offered it, but are stopping it half-way through. Talk about lack of commitment from the school.

I naively thought all schools would offer A levels in all the basic core subjects. Write to the MP - only suggestion I could make. If she's the only one left, she gets taught on her own. Trying to get a student to give up on a Physics A level, and a straight-A student as well, is jaw-dropping.

 

[Pickman's model]

mwgdrwg i'd say that by accepting your daughter onto it they entered into a contract, at least an implied contract, and would contact a solicitor at my earliest convenience if i were in your shoes.

when were you told of this change?

 

[Pickman's model]

They offered it, but are stopping it half-way through. Talk about lack of commitment from the school.

if you want another suggestion in addition to lbj's astonishing faith in the power of mps, get in touch with the press who will have a field day with it. but in the first instance i would contact a solicitor.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Fuck off, Pickman's. Not the thread to be making shitty personal digs.

 

[Pickman's model]

Fuck off, Pickman's. Not the thread to be making shitty personal digs.

this is one of those times when if you haven't anything constructive to add you should pipe down.

 

[mwgdrwg]

mwgdrwg i'd say that by accepting your daughter onto it they entered into a contract, at least an implied contract, and would contact a solicitor at my earliest convenience if i were in your shoes.

when were you told of this change?

On her first day back. You are joking but the bit about the contract is not wrong.

Hang on, should probably post this in the school uniform thread, being a raging upset parent and all.

 

[mwgdrwg]

if you want another suggestion in addition to lbj's astonishing faith in the power of mps, get in touch with the press who will have a field day with it. but in the first instance i would contact a solicitor.

I'll ask here to pose with by the fireplace with a sour face on tonight. Get the picture sorted out asap.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

this is one of those times when if you haven't anything constructive to add you should pipe down.

Again. Fuck off. You're a nasty wanker.

 

[Pickman's model]

On her first day back. You are joking but the bit about the contract is not wrong.

Hang on, should probably post this in the school uniform thread, being a raging upset parent and all.

i had a quick search but unable to find anything which matches your issue - i did find this though Is it fair to kick out pupils halfway through sixth form? which mentions 'moral obligation'.

 

[Pickman's model]

Again. Fuck off. You're a nasty wanker.

Fuck off, Pickman's. Not the thread to be making shitty personal digs.

and you're something of a hypocrite. let me get on with something constructive here.

 

[Pickman's model]

I'll ask here to pose with by the fireplace with a sour face on tonight. Get the picture sorted out asap.

 

[mwgdrwg]

i had a quick search but unable to find anything which matches your issue - i did find this though Is it fair to kick out pupils halfway through sixth form? which mentions 'moral obligation'.

"If a school has taught pupils since the age of 11, if the school has been the centre of their friendship groups, if it's where they have put down their roots, it seems tough to push them out the door at the very last stage."

 

[mwgdrwg]

Christ...googling has led me to a thread on mumsnet.

 

[Pickman's model]

I'll ask here to pose with by the fireplace with a sour face on tonight. Get the picture sorted out asap.

what i would do in your position is to contact the head today by phone and follow up to confirm the conversation by email - if poss record the call. i'd say something along the following - when was the timetable for the term drawn up; when was the teacher notified about their change in responsibilities; at what point was the decision made not to continue physics - who made it, in which meeting, and what rights of appeal are there; do you think this is fair, to force my child from a school where she's been happy, where she's built relationships with staff and students, where she's settled, at such short notice? how do you think ofsted will look on your actions in this case? and then solicitor and press.

oh - and if the local education authority's run by the council (such an archaic notion!) then an email to your councillor

e2a: i hope that's helpful

 

[Treacle Toes]

You mention a taxi. Is the taxi paid by the local authority?

If so that can't be cheap and perhaps that money could be spent on getting her a more local tutor?

 

[catinthehat]

Its (sadly) not that rare to find that low number classes get dropped especially with budget squeezes. There is a general shortage of teachers in this area and unless they have a multi subject teacher getting a subject specialist in for one class with one student is economic madness - although this does not help your situation. It could be economic or it could be availability or a combination. It should not be the case but if you could afford tutor fees and its a case of the physics teacher just not wanting or able to do a single class timetable maybe that teacher would be willing to give private home tuition or combine this with some online or distance learning (although important to get agreement from the school that they will enter them into the exam - it has been the case that people have done this with dropped subjects then the school wont enter so get this established first if you entertain this route). There may be an evening class at a local FE college that might be an alternative - generally fewer hours tuition than in compulsory education but the hours might be better and it will give access to resources and get round any problems if the school will not enter for exams.

Passing an A level is as much about knowing the rubrics and formats and forensically examining past papers, knowing where marks are allocated etc. A combination of someone who understands this aspect and a non teacher but decent knowledge of physics and a kind manner could be a fallback position - again bearing in mind the need to firm up schools intention of entry.

Its very dependent on the individual but if they are keen and well motivated distance learning A level with the involvement of a general class tutor or personal tutor could be an option. If the school have taught this qualification in the past there should be learning resources for the whole program and they should provide these to you. You can get past papers and such from the relevant exam board websites and look for other support documents there such as examiners reports where they detail which questions were done well and which not and that gives some insight to how to handle the exam.

Obviously all the above is written with the opinion that this should not happen and you and your child should not have to sort this out.

 

[trabuquera]

just a thought mwgdrwg : when you're kicking up a fuss with the local press / your MP / the local education board / the council / the Ministry of Education / on social media - and I think you'veevery right to make a lot of noise to all of them - it might be worth playing up the "so much for wanting to encourage girls into STEM fields, eh? " angle a lot. Obviously this problem (irresponsible / wotless schools abandoning courses halfway) affects both genders, but chucking a bit of apparent sexism into the mix as well might get you more action. I really hope you do get some resolution but agree that maybe, if it's possible, arranging individual tutoring, with all the taxi money, might be a better path. My sympathies and encouragements to your daughter.

 

[Pickman's model]

Its (sadly) not that rare to find that low number classes get dropped especially with budget squeezes. There is a general shortage of teachers in this area and unless they have a multi subject teacher getting a subject specialist in for one class with one student is economic madness - although this does not help your situation. It could be economic or it could be availability or a combination. It should not be the case but if you could afford tutor fees and its a case of the physics teacher just not wanting or able to do a single class timetable maybe that teacher would be willing to give private home tuition or combine this with some online or distance learning (although important to get agreement from the school that they will enter them into the exam - it has been the case that people have done this with dropped subjects then the school wont enter so get this established first if you entertain this route). There may be an evening class at a local FE college that might be an alternative - generally fewer hours tuition than in compulsory education but the hours might be better and it will give access to resources and get round any problems if the school will not enter for exams.

Passing an A level is as much about knowing the rubrics and formats and forensically examining past papers, knowing where marks are allocated etc. A combination of someone who understands this aspect and a non teacher but decent knowledge of physics and a kind manner could be a fallback position - again bearing in mind the need to firm up schools intention of entry.

Its very dependent on the individual but if they are keen and well motivated distance learning A level with the involvement of a general class tutor or personal tutor could be an option. If the school have taught this qualification in the past there should be learning resources for the whole program and they should provide these to you. You can get past papers and such from the relevant exam board websites and look for other support documents there such as examiners reports where they detail which questions were done well and which not and that gives some insight to how to handle the exam.

Obviously all the above is written with the opinion that this should not happen and you and your child should not have to sort this out.

the core issue here, i feel, is less the decision to terminate teaching in the subject - but the way in which the decision was made and the timing with which it was communicated. if this had been said three months ago or even six weeks then the matter might have been more smoothly dealt with. as it is, mwgdrwg's daughter faces a great upheaval in her academic and social life nine months before significant exams. the decision can't have been taken last week, it must have been made some time ago. the school has at the least a moral obligation to complete teaching her.

 

[Pickman's model]

just a thought mwgdrwg : when you're kicking up a fuss with the local press / your MP / the local education board / the council / the Ministry of Education / on social media - and I think you'veevery right to make a lot of noise to all of them - it might be worth playing up the "so much for wanting to encourage girls into STEM fields, eh? " angle a lot. Obviously this problem (irresponsible / wotless schools abandoning courses halfway) affects both genders, but chucking a bit of apparent sexism into the mix as well might get you more action. I really hope you do get some resolution but agree that maybe, if it's possible, arranging individual tutoring, with all the taxi money, might be a better path. My sympathies and encouragements to your daughter.

yeh that's what i think would really play with the media esp people like the guardian.

women in science campaign Welcome to the WISE Campaign
Women in STEM: how can we encourage more women into engineering?

 

[Pickman's model]

equationgirl

 

[Athos]

I would contact a solicitor who specialises in education law, to ask about the possibility of bringing judicial review proceedings.

 

[catinthehat]

the core issue here, i feel, is less the decision to terminate teaching in the subject - but the way in which the decision was made and the timing with which it was communicated. if this had been said three months ago or even six weeks then the matter might have been more smoothly dealt with. as it is, mwgdrwg's daughter faces a great upheaval in her academic and social life nine months before significant exams. the decision can't have been taken last week, it must have been made some time ago. the school has at the least a moral obligation to complete teaching her.

Totally agree - but then schools (colleges, universities) have a moral obligation to do a lot of things that they don't. I suspect its a case of the teacher finding a more lucrative and/or effective use of their time. If they are going into a school for only one timetable session with a single pupil they are most likely on a zero hours with no guarantee of continuing work so if something with more hours or security is offered they go. Its one of the many disadvantages of running education like a 'just in time' amazon warehouse.

 

[Pickman's model]

Totally agree - but then schools (colleges, universities) have a moral obligation to do a lot of things that they don't. I suspect its a case of the teacher finding a more lucrative and/or effective use of their time. If they are going into a school for only one timetable session with a single pupil they are most likely on a zero hours with no guarantee of continuing work so if something with more hours or security is offered they go. Its one of the many disadvantages of running education like a 'just in time' amazon warehouse.

my experience is that when a university course, a degree programme rather than a modular course, is no longer offered that the students already enrolled complete and no further admissions occur. the same thing should apply here. but we'll see what m'learned friends say.

 

[cupid_stunt]

i had a quick search but unable to find anything which matches your issue - i did find this though Is it fair to kick out pupils halfway through sixth form? which mentions 'moral obligation'.

Update on that report - Schools abandon exclusion of sixth-formers after parents complain

 

[19sixtysix]

my experience is that when a university course, a degree programme rather than a modular course, is no longer offered that the students already enrolled complete and no further admissions occur. the same thing should apply here. but we'll see what m'learned friends say.

That's what the OU do all the time. The notice given is in years not just as you were due to start.

 

[19sixtysix]

Update on that report - Schools abandon exclusion of sixth-formers after parents complain

Dan Rosenberg, Community Care, Education and Public Law | Simpson Millar LLP - London

Might be worth a call to ask. First call is free.

ETA even a letter from them with their online history signalled no so subtlety might just shove a rocket up the arse of the school.

 

[sim667]

They offered it, but are stopping it half-way through. Talk about lack of commitment from the school.

I used to work teaching AS and A levels, and this is unfortunately quite common practice.

About 50% of the a-levels we taught were dropped one year, after students had been studying them for 2 months. Its a vile practice.

You might get some reasonable legal advice on the legaladviceuk subreddit.

Is there the possibility that the school could pay for the lessons on a 1 to 1 basis in your home?