In the UK, more than ever, there is an increasing number of students opting out of sixth-form education. The independent and home-educated students are learning A Levels outside of a classroom environment in an increasing number, managing to secure their grades either by themselves or with the help of learning providers.
There can be many reasons for the increase in home schooled children, with an increase in dissatisfaction of the education system.
The changing profile of A Level students
A Levels have traditionally been viewed as full-time courses within schools or colleges, but this model is no longer applicable to all learners, with more flexibility required to suit individual circumstances. Teachers are now coming across:
- Learners who are studying a various number of subjects independently.
- The need to re-sit A Levels alongside work commitments or training.
- Returning to education after a period of time out.
- Learning from home but still wishing to progress to university.
These learners still need flexibility and a form of structure to help them navigate the system, whilst an independence that allows them to work at their own pace. There is also a huge call for support as remaining motivated and organised can be difficult if left to your own devices. There are now recognised pathways for studying A Levels from home, making higher education more accessible than ever before.
Key challenges for independent learners
If we look at this from an educators’ perspective, anyone independently studying A Levels can raise many challenges:
1. Curriculum coverage: If studying independently, you must ensure you create your own timetable, ensuring that every item on the specification is covered. If you do not take care of this one important factor, it can have a serious impact when completing A Level exams.
2. Assessment literacy: There are more to A Level exams than just knowing your subject inside out. There will be a need to understand command words, mark schemes and assessment objectives. If a learner does not fully understand exam techniques, then this can have a huge effect on the exam outcome. By using an independent course provider, this can make all the difference.
3. Practical and coursework requirements: When home educated, there is rarely the opportunity to undertake any practical study, such as with science courses and learners may have to pay private exam centres for additional help with these.
4. Consistency and motivation: Whilst studying alone, this can feel very isolating, and learners struggle to impose deadlines and stick to them. This can pose a huge risk of falling behind with studies and if planning to study from home, you should ensure that you have the necessary motivational skills to keep on top.
How structured distance learning can help
Well-designed distance learning courses can provide the help needed to keep learners on track and ensure that they have good quality study materials to help in the process:
- Well-developed study materials that align with the exam board specification and include textbooks.
- Tutor support with graded feedback on assignments and practice exam papers.
- Guidance and advice on how to enter for exams, as well as information on any practical elements.
- Progress tracking of all completed assignments so that learners can gauge if they need to study more with certain aspects of the specification.
When supporting home-educated students, it is essential that there is a good understanding of what is required from study materials and if families are not confident in administering teaching themselves, they may wish to approach a good distance learning provider to help.
One example of an organisation offering structured A Level distance learning courses is Learn Now, who provide a range of online A Level programmes which are designed to follow the exam boards’ requirements. Resources used can complement independent study by giving learners access to clear course pathways and academic support alongside their self-directed learning.
Preparing students for progression
Most A Level learners have clear goals about what they want to achieve, which is usually progression to university, starting an apprenticeship or professional training. With the right support, these learners can become academically prepared and confident with their study methods, enabling them to reach their goals.
As education pathways continue to diversify, understanding how independent and distance learning models work is becoming an important part of modern teaching practice. By recognising the needs of these learners and signposting appropriate support, educators can help ensure that flexibility in education does not come at the expense of opportunity.
