High Expectations

I love teaching A level Chemistry. It's the only time, in my particular job anyways, where I get to teach a group of bright pupils who are genuinely interested in what you are saying. Unfortunately, the majority of students I teach really just "don't care", and I find that the saddest thing of all. I remember when I was young, I certainly wasn't the best behaved of pupils, but I don't ever remember not caring. Well, most a-level kids certainly DO care but often they're expectations are totally unrealistic.

The first day of the new a-level intake, all the kids file in and take a seat, all eager to delve into the world of chemistry. Before I start the first lesson, I give them a run down of what we will be doing this year, how it is quite a lot harder than GCSE's and, even if you did manage to get A's and A*'s, how that does not, necessarily, mean your going to get them in A-levels. I try to keep their feet on the ground before they even start the course. I then ask THE QUESTION. I dread asking it, but feel that I have to. "How many of you are hoping to become doctors?".

I am almost knocked over by the wind generated from the hands that are thrown up in the air. An audible groan escapes my lips as I try to explain how the world of medicine, though a fantastic career, ISN'T the ONLY career. When I ask about any other routes, I am met with blank faces as far as the eye can see.

The majority of these kids are bright, but as you are no doubt aware (at least in the UK), you need to be getting A's and A* in all your a-levels. As well as that you need to pass the UKCAT or the BMAT and you need to impress in your interview. Now I would love for all these kids to become world renowned surgeons but I know that it isn't going to happen. If we can get one into medical school at the end of year 13, I am a happy man. It just irritates me that quite often, they are told by pushy parents that they must be doctors, even when they don't want to be. I have already come across one example where a student actually wanted to be an architect, yet based their entire a-level choices around becoming a doctor, all for their parents approval.

One small solution to this, is to ensure that these students are properly educated about the choices they have. Speakers coming into school, showing the pupils about other careers in science would be a small but very important step. It won't stop the parents fantasizing about their son/daughter becoming the next 'House', but it might educate the students enough to make their own, informed decisions.