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no gcse's

Hi all, I desperately need help for my son, he will be 17 next week. For the past two years he has been very ill, and has missed so much school. Unfortunately, even though he had home tuition he failed his maths and english GCSE's 3 times. He is currently attending a further education college doing engineering and also his maths and english. The college is a nightmare, he has had 11 different tutors for his maths lessons since September last year. I am fed up speaking to the college, they assure me that they will get it sorted, but it just isnt happening. He is desperately unhappy and really down with the whole situation. He wants to study A-levels but know one will take him as he doesnt have maths and english gcse's. Does anyone know if he can study A levels without these relevant qualifications. I really would appreciate any help. Many thanks. James' Mum.
Original post by jessicat2
Hi all, I desperately need help for my son, he will be 17 next week. For the past two years he has been very ill, and has missed so much school. Unfortunately, even though he had home tuition he failed his maths and english GCSE's 3 times. He is currently attending a further education college doing engineering and also his maths and english. The college is a nightmare, he has had 11 different tutors for his maths lessons since September last year. I am fed up speaking to the college, they assure me that they will get it sorted, but it just isnt happening. He is desperately unhappy and really down with the whole situation. He wants to study A-levels but know one will take him as he doesnt have maths and english gcse's. Does anyone know if he can study A levels without these relevant qualifications. I really would appreciate any help. Many thanks. James' Mum.


I was in a very similar situation to your son. In the end I had to study at home with a tutor (and it took me four attempts to get my maths GCSE). :colondollar:

Your son could do A levels independently (via the National Extension College or a similar provider), but these courses require a certain amount of dedication and determination.

What is your son's goal? Does he want to go to university? If he does then he will need GCSEs in English Language and Maths, and most jobs require them as well. He does not need to do A levels though, there are many other alternative routes into university (see this thread here for details: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3401311).
Hi, My name is Jo and I work on the Course Advice Team at National Extension College. We do offer a range of GCSE and A level courses via distance learning. The courses are available through our online learning platform and we provide a subject specialist tutor to mark and provide feedback on your assignments. We have a number of partner exam centres where you can sit the exams, or we can provide a list of colleges that we know accept private candidates for the exams if one of those is more convenient. You can see more details on our website www.nec.ac.uk As Sufkin said distance learning does require dedication, but we also offer a young learner service that provides additional support to help young learners through their studies.
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DirtyDad
Don't worry, I only got an e at history a level but I managed to pass my btec cooking course. I also enjoy browsing auto trader on the weekends
Original post by jessicat2
Hi all, I desperately need help for my son, he will be 17 next week. For the past two years he has been very ill, and has missed so much school. Unfortunately, even though he had home tuition he failed his maths and english GCSE's 3 times. He is currently attending a further education college doing engineering and also his maths and english. The college is a nightmare, he has had 11 different tutors for his maths lessons since September last year. I am fed up speaking to the college, they assure me that they will get it sorted, but it just isnt happening. He is desperately unhappy and really down with the whole situation. He wants to study A-levels but know one will take him as he doesnt have maths and english gcse's. Does anyone know if he can study A levels without these relevant qualifications. I really would appreciate any help. Many thanks. James' Mum.


Sorry to hear of your predicament. I think perhaps there's a danger of running before walking here, with the A levels. The first priority does need to be the GCSEs in Maths and English - these really provide a foundation on which any further study, or indeed work, can be built. Has he passed any GCSEs yet, or is the plan to get him 2 good passes in Maths and English.

I would first concentrate on getting that situation sorted first. A levels aren't really on the table before at least that is done - it wouldn't be fair on your son to throw him into A levels which he realistically has little prospect at succeeding in, but that's not to say that he can't ever study them - it's just a process of building on skills in the right order.

I hope this helps you a little.

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