Drop a GCSE for Functional Skills

[Meheh8]

My daughter has been offered to do Functional Skills English and Maths. She's already dropped a GCSE for extra study (which is being turned in FS English). Shes been offered to drop another GCSE option for FS Maths.
She struggles in both Maths and English so FS would be ideal but we're unsure about her dropping another GCSE. There is a high chance that she won't get the Level 4 needed in Maths so will need to redo it post 16.
Part of me thinks that given that Maths and English are important for any post 16 and apprenticeships that she should drop the extra GCSE to do the Maths. Also it would be less pressure on another load of coursework and she could focus on other 3 and the FS. On the other hand that means shes only doing 3 other options (rather than 5).

In terms of jobs, the option she'd have to drop for the Maths is relating to what career she wants (working with children). But she could easily pick it up post 16 or apprenticeships so not a huge hindrance.

Any advice would be great please!
Thank you :)

AWBU - dont drop another GCSE. Doing FS post 16 isn't a big deal etc
AWNBU - drop the GCSE and do FS Maths. Maths is more important and it will save her post 16

I did a Level 3 Early Years Educator apprenticeship. I had never passed my Maths at school so did Functional skills level 2. Had no problem doing the coursework for the apprenticeship.

The other 3 options are ones she enjoys too and may even choose to pursue one of them post 16 instead of the one she may need to drop.

Fair enough I was thinking A levels on hearing level 3

I've spoken to the local college and one in the next town. They've both said if she has her FS Lv2 in maths then then that would be the equivalent to the 4 in GCSE maths needed. That means she would be able to go straight into the Lv 3 at college rather than another year. That's the main issue for her.

On the flip side, I hear what a few are saying. It's a lot having double maths almost. She has also said it would be 1 less load of coursework meaning she could focus more on the other ones.

She has a good head on her shoulders. It just seems like there are pros and cons for both decisions. The SENCO has said that honestly she would struggle massively to get a 4 at GCSE.
It's so hard for them to make these decisions about things that are 2 years away yet :/

I teach both GCSE and Functional skills (city and Guilds) in maths at a college. I would say that the FS is easier and has a lot less content to learn. I also teach FS English (but not GCSE) - the English at functional skills is a lot easier. For most courses a level 2 in FS is enough. I would say do the FS then she can enjoy the topic she excels in at college - good luck

I would just check, when she gets along to looking at college, which qualifications will be sufficient for her not to need any resits. If she does scrape a Grade 3 in one of the GCSEs, she may be forced to try and raise this to a Grade 4, even if she has the Functional Skills Level 2. (This was the case for my DS).

Whereas if you get a 2 or lower at GCSE, I think you are allowed to stop at FS Level 2.

I agree re checking.

DD's college does Level 1 FS, but then straight to GCSE, it seems to only offer Level 2 FS to apprentices. It appears as if even if DD gets her Level 2 FS English this year, when she returns to college in September they may still require her to 'work towards GCSE' in English Lang.

For anyone interested, on balance with everything mentioned on here, talks with colleges and her SENCO and DD talking with others, she has decided to do the FS maths. She wants to have the Level 2 done and wants to get it now while she gets the help at school than delaying it by a couple of years. Thanks again for everyones input - they were all read and taken into account. :)