Functional Skills instead of GCSEs for an autistic child in top set maths

[elliejjtiny]

Functional skills instead of gcse's - who are they aimed at? I always thought they were for less academically able students but they have been suggested for ds and he is in top set maths and average in everything else. He does have autism but I've always assumed he would do gcse's with support.

They are for people who can't do GCSEs. I wouldn't accept them at all for someone in top set maths. They are for people at bottom set.

Could he not do a mix of functional skills and GCSEs?

A top set student doing functional skills would be ridiculous IMO. Find out why they think it would be appropriate. DS has ASD and did GCSE's in a small room with a laptop. There are lots of possible access arrangements like loop ear plugs/ear defenders, rest breaks or extra time that he might also qualify for. Are they worried he won't cope in an exam situation? I'd would be saying no personally.

Unusual for a school to suggest them.

functional skills in maths is offered at several levels - entry level (below gcse), level 1 (roughly equivalent to foundation paper at gcse) and level 2 (roughly equivalent to higher paper at gcse).

at fe college students who got a grade 1 or 2 at gcse are allowed to do functional skills, those who got a grade 3 have to resit the gcse.

functionsl skills at least in maths is more wordy than the gcse which does not benefit those who struggle with English.

are school suggesting this as well as the gcse maths? It’s very unusual not to sit the gcse maths at all. Even students who are not likely to grade generally are double entered for gcse maths and entry level maths

Top set maths pupil shouldn’t be taking Functional Skills maths. I’d query why the school thinks this is a good idea.

Thank you. He is academically able and did fine in his year 6 sats with a scribe.

Does he go to a sen school? If so they may not run a gcse course if there aren't enough students who could follow the curriculum.

My middle child (autistic) took functional skills maths. I think its a more accessible exam in the way its sat and its more problem solving than theoretical, but it does need goid english level as the questions are wordy.

He is at an sen school though.

Some schools let you do both.

Thank you. He is in mainstream.