Ask Kath Houston transcript
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| This event took place Summer 2000 |
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Kath Houston
The careers adviser joined Radio 2 and answered your questions on exam results.
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Question from Chloe Moran: Hi, I've just got my exam results and I want to know how to apply to the army?
Kath-Houston: Hello Chloe. You can go into any army careers office in the country. Phone numbers are in your phone book. They can tell you what vacancies are available. It's likely that officer entry vacancies might be available to someone with good A level grades.
Question from Andrew Carter : Today I received my AS French and Physical Education results and got E grades in both. I am a good pupil with high attendance. Do you think this would damage or change my plans to take French onto a full A-level?
Kath-Houston: Hello Andrew. It's not going to damage your plans to do A level French in your A2 year. You do need to talk to your tutor, and ask their advice. It may be possible if you wanted to improve your grade, to re-sit that AS French. It's a decision that you need to take good advice about, but it is a possibility. If you don't re-sit it, you need to realise that 2 thirds of the A level work is in that second year. You've just done a third, and so your final grade will be based on the larger proportion of work. So, rev up a gear, be prepared to work really hard in your second year.
Question from David :I have to go through clearing as I didn’t get the results I needed for my university places. Am I likely to get anything worth doing through clearing and do I have to make a decision straight away or do I have time to think it through or research it?
Kath-Houston: Hello David. The first thing to realise is that it's quite likely that you could get an equally good offer of a place through clearing. Any university places that become available are when other people don't want them. Check the sources of clearing information like the UCAS site, Student Essentials helpline, and the national newspapers. See what's available, research using the prospectuses at your college. Take time to produce a list of courses you want at places you want to go to. That could all take a couple of days and that's fine. Then you can get on the phone to admission tutors, feeling confident that you know what you're applying for. You only have to make a decision when you get an offer through clearing, even then you can take a little time to decide who to send your clearing entry form to.
Question from Jeff Old Lad: Forecast to get 3 A levels. Gets A, B and C. The C was for a subject at which he has excelled for two years and was top in the year. Tutors are surprised at result and suggest appealing. We know it costs £45 but exactly how does the appeal work? Who re-examines the papers? Thanks.
Kath-Houston: Hello Jeff. You need to take the advice of your tutors. If they believe that you should have got a better grade, their support will be convincing in the appeals process and you'll have a strong chance that a re-examination will benefit you. Remember, you will have to complete application forms in the future with these 3 grades. You want them to be the fairest representation of your ability. Take good advice and go for it.
Question from Eva Counthan: I'm wondering how do you get into nursing?
Kath-Houston: Hello Eva, the first thing to think about if you're taking A levels and are considering a career in nursing is that there are no specific A levels that they demand. But, certain subjects are recommended. Particularly Human Biology, Psychology, Sociology, anything that helps improve communication skills e.g English. What's most important is that you study subjects that you enjoy, and will do well at. They will also be looking for evidence of the kind of personality qualities that are desirable in trainee nurses. So take the time to develop yourself outside college, in other activities, and useful work experience. For example, any sort of caring work experience; care homes, people with disabilities etc. This will look good on your application for nursing in the future. If you've already got your A levels, there is a clearing system operating for nurse training places, or diploma courses run through NMAS (the Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service) . It may still be possible to gain a nursing place through NMAS for this September. Their website offers lots of good advice on nursing admissions.
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