A-levels or racing college?

[Akskdjwndkh]

Hi all!
(im not totally sure how these threads work BTW)

Im currently a year 11 student on course for mid-high GCSES. I would like to go into the horseracing industry after school (i have ridden over half my life + am currently breaking in my own pony). However im not sure how i would even begin?
My mum would like me to do my A-levels but personally i dont see any point in doing them as i have never been able to apply myself/enjoy school. The subject choice for a-level is very slim for me and the only ones i would somewhat enjoy is Chem Bio and Geography (i can easily ace my Geo but would struggle with the other two).
I would like to 'drop out' and go straight into the BRS/NHC but my mum wants me to race after a-levels.

I am physically fit/enjoy the gym so feel i would have no problem with this aspect of racing.

What would you advise? Alevels or Racing?

 

[bonny]

Both, do your a levels and then go to racing school if you still want to. You have plenty of time and you might find in two years time you want a different career.

 

[little_critter]

I agree - get your A levels first. You can still do racing college after. Then if you find you don't like racing college you have your A levels to fall back on

 

[Equi]

A-levels then racing.

 

[little_critter]

Also - keep your options open, not all racing careers are yard based. There's the business / management / administration side of it too.
Or nutrition
Or physio
(I'm sure there are many others....)
A levels would help you get into those aspects of racing

 

[Akskdjwndkh]

I agree - get your A levels first. You can still do racing college after. Then if you find you don't like racing college you have your A levels to fall back on

This was my original plan, but my backup is nursing (Kids MH) which, after looking into shows that i dont need any a-levels to get into (obviously i would have to do an access course). But i would be worried i would fail my Chem/Bio even with lots of studying which possibly looks worse than having no a-levels at all? Does that make sense

 

[EventingMum]

Definitely A levels first then racing. I was determined to work in the equine industry but due to being very young for my academic year I had to do 6th year before I was old enough to leave anyway. I subsequently worked with horses but a recurring injury meant I was no longer able to continue, luckily I had my academic grades and went and did a degree which, to my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed. I think having some time out from studying after school gave me time to mature and experience a bit of "life" which really benefitted me when I did my degree. Obviously having my school qualifications made it easy to apply and get into uni. A few years after uni I did,in fact, go back to working with horses setting up a yard with my parents. You never know what the future holds so having A levels as a fall back is a really good plan and after doing them you will still be young enough to explore the racing industry.

 

[ponynutz]

Do your A Levels. Nobody can take qualifications away from you and they give you something to fall back on should racing not work out. You can always keep working with horses on the side of your A Levels to give you the bet possible application for Racing College and then do that after Sixth Form.

- From someone who is about to study to become a teacher and then hopes to work with horses if possible. Having a career (or the A Level qualifications to start the process of getting a career) is just such a good fall back especially for a career like horses where it can be so unpredictable.

 

[PeterNatt]

Why not choose the A level subjects that you feel comfortable with and do them somewhere else like a college that is less restrictive on the subjects that you can choose to do.

 

[ycbm]

Why not choose the A level subjects that you feel comfortable with and do them somewhere else like a college that is less restrictive on the subjects that you can choose to do.

This. Work out what it is about Geography that makes it easy for you, try to find one or two other subjects that you are more likely to pass than Biology and Chemistry that will offer you at least some of the interest of geography, (psychology? design? IT? ) and do the A levels as it will not close off anything but will open a lot more doors later on.

 

[I'm Dun]

This was my original plan, but my backup is nursing (Kids MH) which, after looking into shows that i dont need any a-levels to get into (obviously i would have to do an access course). But i would be worried i would fail my Chem/Bio even with lots of studying which possibly looks worse than having no a-levels at all? Does that make sense

Access courses are for mature students. I think the minimum age is 21. I found my access course far, far harder and more intense than alevels. Do the alevels!

 

[ihatework]

A levels first then racing. Sorry boring adulting! Other A levels to consider that can be helpful whatever your future direction would be business studies or equivalent and psychology. If you may end up going down the stud aspect of racing then some extra biology.

 

[Esmae]

I agree to do A levels then racing school. I am all for following your heart but many things can go wrong so you definitely need a plan B of some kind. Maybe if your A level options are limited at school you could do better at college? I'm not sure but worth exploring. All the very best whatever you decide to do.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

Is there a 6th form college near you? They might offer subjects that are more accessible for you. Wish I had gone for a career in racing back in the day. Good luck

 

[Abacus]

It’s worth looking into other courses that you’d enjoy more than a-levels and give you a plan B. Not necessarily A-levels either - there are vocation based courses out there, maybe something at an agricultural college which is more enjoyable / interesting and relevant for a career with horses.

 

[Tarragon]

Perhaps the classic school conveyor belt isn't for you; they don't suit everyone. There are other options, such as Apprenticeships, or doing a-levels or equivalent outside of school, or as a mature student.
After my A-levels, I went to Australia and worked in racing stables, determined that I didn't want to do another exam ever again and I wanted a career with horses. After one year, I came back having decided that I actually didn't want to have a career with horses for all sorts of reasons, and buckled down and did a degree instead.
I also have a nephew, who dropped out of A-levels, did a few years doing all sorts, then decided he would do a-levels, and somehow did his a-levels independently of a school (not sure how he did that!) and ended up doing a Masters at Oxford!
However, your parents probably know you the best, and if they are suggesting A-levels, they will have a good reason to do so and think that you are capable, and you would have to be pretty sure of yourself to go against that advice! If you don't do your a-levels while at school, it will make it 10 times more difficult for you to do them later.

 

[little_critter]

If you are on course for mid-high GCSE's why do you think you'll struggle to pass A levels?

 

[minesadouble]

I'm going to go against the grain and say do what you love. I worked with horses when I was young instead of going to Uni and I had a great time.


I finally embarked on my Law degree aged 30. I really enjoyed university life and followed it with a professional qualification.

There's no way I would have had the discipline to qualify as a Lawyer immediately after school,.my heart just wouldn't have been in it.
You can change your mind about your career at any point. If you really want a place in the racing industry I say go for it now.
I'm 54 now and have no regrets at all about my decision

 

[Squeak]

I'd go for A levels in subjects that you'll enjoy - it's a completely different kettle of fish to GCSE's if you're able to do subjects that you enjoy and it sets you up to be able to go in to a career that interests you and plays to your strengths. Having A levels to fall back on is invaluable. I was another person who was convinced at your age that I was going to work with horses and had a big reality check when it came to the end of uni and gap year and went to work in an office.

Can you get a weekend and holiday job at a racing yard while doing your a levels? Work experience will set you in good stead if you want to then apply to racing college and give you a massive head start if you do then want to start in racing. You could also do racing college in what would essentially be a gap year and see how you get on?

 

[limestonelil]

Good advice upthread and I echo the opinion to get your A Levels first, in whichever subjects you are comfortable with, as it gives you so much more scope for more career choices later at a higher baseline.
(Consider staying on at school to do them, if you don't absolutely hate school and it has a good sixth form exam success record. You may just find the teaching is better and there is more of it, and you aren't just left to learn a lot of the subject by yourself, which can sometimes happen in a college setting.) Don't think I've explained that bit very well, sorry. It can be easier to do A levels at school basically. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[YourValentine]

Do the geography, bio & chemistry A-levels, they will stand you in good stead if you do pursue a career in racing. That science grounding will help you understand vets and medicine, the claims various products make, what feed suppliers are talking about etc. (E.g. is a new product snake oil/marketing spin or useful)

It might not seem like it while you are studying but you will come across some of the principles you are taught again in any animal / land based career.

(It is a few years since I did A-levels, assuming things haven't changed that much...)

 

[toppedoff]

A levels for a backup or even a level 3 BTEC, perhaps get experience at a racing yard even if it's on the ground can be a benefit. I wasn't cut out for A levels or anything so I dived straight into the racing college but I always tell people here to have back ups - even the school prompts you to have a back up plans!

A levels can unlock alot of areas such as the horseracing degree: https://brs.org.uk/course/horseracing-industry-fdsc-2/

As well as bloodstock degree, physio, veterinary, racehorse rehabilitation ect even if uni isn't your thing I think having them is good

 

[Clodagh]

There are many other educational options other than A levels. BTEC? NHD? Names may be different now.
I’d definitely stay in education until 18 but do try to find a course you’d enjoy.
There is a careers in racing website

 

[Bobthecob15]

Agreed there are lots of options other than A levels…pick a BTEC or something like that that you are interested in. They are transferable if you change your mind and want to do nursing or something. University looks at UCAS points or equivalent x

 

[gryff]

I personally don't much see the point of doing A levels. They are really only useful to get into university.
BTECs in a local college might be far more appropriate.
If you decide later on that you want to go to uni, then dependent on the course you wanted to pursue, Level 3 qualifications such as really good BTECs would be better than mediocre A levels. Or lots of unis do Access courses.
I'm a predominantly A level teacher and teach Science. We have far too many students studying at sixth form level that would be far better off going and doing something else.

 

[Maddie Moo]

Agree with others saying about vocational courses. Is there a college near you that offers a BTEC in Health & Social care. Or how about a T-Level in Nursing? There are several nursing pathways within the T-Level provision so you could pick the one you thought suited you best.

You could also do a two A-level equivalent of a vocational course and an A-Level in Geography alongside it.

BRS do a different course for students who have studied equine at college. If that is something available to you locally.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

A levels. I always said I wanted to work with horses and did it as a Saturday job while at college. Hated it.

Went into an office job which meant I didn't have to do horse as well as working with them all day and kept it as a hobby

I've now given up horses completely, so glad I wasn't tied into working with them

Another option is an apprenticeship (not horses) - would be experience in a work environment, learning transferable skills. We have an apprentice at work and she's absolutely brilliant!!

Also the racing industry sounds quite brutal - my yo when I was helping out at her rs as a teenager said how tough it is, and she was really hard nosed herself. Could you cope with the horse you care for not coming home? I will always remember that thread about the violence on the yard. Not the sort of environment I'd want to be in. Maybe not all are like that but it makes you think

 

[Vodkagirly]

You get a long summer break after gcse (or at least you did when I was at school) what about a summer job on a yard then go back for a levels.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’d go the A level route too. Tried and tested and they give many future options.

There are a number of non A level options, too many in fact, so recruiters don’t have a scoobie what they are and how robust they are.

 

[Equi]

For the access course you have to pass the equivalent of biology and chemistry anyway (then also sociology and or psychology) So really all you would be doing is delaying it.