What do kids with entry level quals do after school?

[Saturnday]

Today I visited a special school and a PRU. The children in these schools were working towards entry level maths and a level 1 btec in PSE. I think it's great that they're working toward qualifications which are achievable for them. But what happens to them when they leave school? GCSE C English and Maths seems to be the minimum required for a job these days. What do the children with entry level qualifications do? What future awaits?

[monkeysox]

I teach entry level maths in state secondary...

[TheFallenMadonna]

I work in a PRU. Last year all our students got a Maths GCSE. They did entry level on the way there, as it were. They have gone on to level 2 college courses. This year, we have some who are very unlikely to get above entry level. They will do level 1/2 courses at college.

[childmaintenanceserviceinquiry]

I worry about this too. My DC is quite able but has spld. I am concerned his specialist school set low expectations. All of the stuff he wants to do requires maths and english pass grades gcse and science.

So monkey, what do your pupils go on to do?

[monkeysox]

Basic skills course at college if they don't get a grade at gcse

[Saturnday]

Thanks for the replies. monkeysox- what after college though?

I get the feeling that they stay in education as long as possible, but eventually, end up jobless living with mum and dad. I find it so sad that unskilled or low-skilled jobs are disappearing due to technology. People say: Oh but new technology creates jobs -- yes, jobs for university graduates. Not jobs for school-leavers.

I also really worry about looked after children, where moving back to live with parents isn't an option. No support network, no GCSEs. What becomes of them? What comes after their college course on life skills?

[noblegiraffe]

Sainsbury's has an inclusive hiring policy: www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/discover-more/our-stories/2017/you-can-is-working

[monkeysox]

Tbh I'm not sure what they do after college

[ASauvignonADay]

I really worry about our vulnerable kids. Thy don’t have the same guidance as those with parents who are switched on and trying to drive them in the right direction. So many drop out of whatever they do post 16 pretty quick.

[CaptainHarville]

I worry about them too. Schools are not healthy places for these children at the moment. The pressure on results is such that every child is pushed to try and achieve GCSEs even if it's not appropriate. We had a child who spent two years being taught maths GCSE failing every single test, mock exam, actual exam. I don't know what that did to his self esteem but it can't have been good. We did have lots more on tailored curriculums but now can't afford it. All children like this leave school at 16 for alternative provision because sixth form has nothing for them.

[MsAwesomeDragon]

My entry level kids end up working on the family farm. That's obviously not what they do in general though, just in farming communities.

My sil was a similar sort of ability, I think she scraped a couple of low passes but failed most of her exams. She's now very, very happy working as a cleaner/shelf stacker in a small shop. She doesn't earn very much, but manages to keep her family going with the help of tax credits.

[OnTheSherry]

You're right, OP.

They end up on the 'FE college carousel' - doing more entry level or Level One course with functional skills attached, that often they don't pass (for a whole host of reasons). Often doing a course at one college and then moving to another college to do something equally unsuitable or that doesn't lead anywhere.

The picture for young people with SEN can be very bleak, unless they are lucky enough to go to a college that has good employer links and pathways into employment/volunteering.

The picture for YP from PRUs is mixed, but if they haven't achieved their Maths and English GCSEs in the PRU setting, they often find it hard to achieve at college.

LAC and Care Leavers are still hugely disadvantaged in FE, too, and have high unemployment rates.

[Fffion]

They might be doing some GCSE (or equivalent) courses, so it's not all about Maths and English.

They can do an apprenticeship, and achieve their Maths and English as they go.

Some may go straight into work, e.g. to a family business.

They still have prospects - it's just taking a bit longer to fulfil their potential.