Struggling with the move up to A Levels?

For many years I have interviewed prospective Sixth Form students for places both in the State and the Independent sector. Schools often use standardised data when looking at the grades they expect a student to achieve at A level, based on their GCSE grades. Many schools use a system called ALIS a digital, baseline assessment for students aged 16-19 to assess aptitude, potential and progress. It is an online series of assessments, aimed at identifying strengths and weaknesses in an individual student along with giving grade predictions for the A level being studied. ALIS is also able to graph the percentage of students who are likely to achieve higher or lower than this predicted grade. The huge amount of year on year data from across the country has demonstrated a strong correlation between the initial ALIS score and final A Level grade. Schools recognise the system is not perfect but can use it to encourage and guide students to achieve their full potential. Before the use of ALIS, professional experience showed that, without a huge amount of hard work, one grade drop by the end of Year 12 might be seen, plus a further grade drop by the final A level exams. Therefore, a student coming in to take A Levels with a GCSE grade of a C (or 4/5 now), might only achieve an E at A Level.

I know this sounds harsh and it was not intended to frighten or discourage students. My point was, that to move into the area above your point prediction on the ALIS chances graph takes hard work. Some students 'float' through GCSE's - they may work quite hard in class but do not do much outside lesson time. Their GCSE grades are then sufficient to get a place at Sixth Form but do not really prepare them for the rigours of A Level study.

The step up from GCSE to A Level is huge, both content-wise in many subjects, and in the independent learning expected and required in all subjects. Students in Independent schools often fare better with this transition. Small class sizes plus extra support from teachers who are available outside lessons allow them to develop both solid subject knowledge and the skills to take ownership of their learning. Yet many students still struggle, certainly in Year 12, where this is all new. This year and last, disruptions from the pandemic has led to further issues where subject content may have been missed and pupils have had differing experiences of on-line learning.

This is where tutoring can help. It can be used to fill those gaps in knowledge and understanding, it can increase confidence, and it can help a student learn those all important independent learning skills they will need as they move through to university.

If you would like more information, without making any commitment, call us for a chat. We are here to help.