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Original poster

Alevel maths - can DS really not be up to it?

56 replies

grownupbabes · 15/10/2009 18:29

DS has just started AS. He got all A and A* for GCSEs, including A for maths. He is now doing maths, physics, music and a language for A level - but his school has told him (after just 5 weeks)that his maths isn't up to it. They are insisting he drop maths. Surely an A at GCSE is a good enough to be going on with?
The problem is that he needs maths as a prerequisite for what he wants to do at university. If he drops maths, he won't be able to follow his dream. Surely they ought to let him give it a go. How hard can it be? Can they really tell he is going to fail after 5 weeks? He has always been a very good student in all subjects.
Feeling really quite angry about this. Any maths teachers out there who can advise? Or anyone else had any similar experience? Is this about league table scores, and not my son's future?

OP posts:
brimfull · 15/10/2009 19:05

Just had to replay that dd did exactly the same As level subjects ,french being her language,

She has since dropped physics.

We got dd a tutor as she started As level maths in yr 11 and had zilch confidence.She improved and managed a B in the end.She does struggle and has found mechanics the hardest..

I think you should go and see the school before making the decision.

bloss · 15/10/2009 19:04

Message withdrawn

fluffles · 15/10/2009 19:03

not a maths teacher at all but did do it as a degree... i can see a situation where they can see that he's just not quite keeping up after five weeks. that level of maths is almost a different way of thinking and usually people get it or they don't.

BUT i do think that if he's genuinely trying his hardest in school and willing to do extra work then the school should support him at least for this year through to AS. If you're wlling to also support with out of school tutoring they definately should support you/him but that shouldn't necessarily be required IF he's willing to put a huge amount of effort in to stay up to date on homework and coursework done out of school.

do the school know how much he wants this? or does he give off typical 17 year old 'whatever' vibes? they may be advising he drop it because there are other subjects he can do 'better' in without realising how this affects his university plans.

on the other hand, it could be that the school just want to keep their AS results high

Original poster
grownupbabes · 15/10/2009 18:57

That's interesting, but I guess not encouraging, ThisBoy.
I have spoken to his tutor, and am now angling to talk to head of maths. The tutor said basically "the maths department ought to know, so if they say he should give up, that's probably what he should do". I just think it is totally unsupportive, given his university plans. They are effectively telling him to dump something he's been working towards for 5 years. Just like that.
And anyway, I'm not saying he needs to get an A for A level maths - a C would do, just as long as he's got the maths.
Would tutoring help do you think? (Reluctant, as I don't have money to spare really).

OP posts:
southeastastra · 15/10/2009 18:38

oh blimey ds really wants to do this next year. have you spoken to his tutor grownup?

ThisBoyDerekDrew · 15/10/2009 18:35

An A at GCSE should be enough.

BUt from first hand experience Maths A level is like a completely new subject. GCSE maths doesn't prepare you for it IMO (well not anywhere near enough).

I got A in Maths GCSE and Distinction in the extension paper. I took A level maths for A level. There were 2 courses to choose from. One was a similar learning style to teh GCSE...continuation of hte GCSE as far as syllabus and text books were concerned (i.e. same "brand") and that was still a tough move from GCSE to A level.

Initially I was on a more "classical" maths course. I hated that. I was top of the class for maths at GCSE and I couldn't hack it. I think that if I had to I could...but I took the easier option of continuing the other sylabus (which as I have already said was still tough enough).

I think that 5 weeks is a little early to tell - personally - but equally I wouldn't rule out the possibility that he could be struggling making the move from GCSE to A level.

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