Functional maths level 2 or GCSE

[Strictly1]

My child failed their maths last year and is now at college. To progress onto the next phase they need the functional or GCSE in maths.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about maths functional skills level two?

I’ve googled and there are plenty of options but it is knowing if it’s the right choice to make and which platform is reputable.
TIA

I did Functional skills maths level 2 about 6 years ago, I was 50! It's easier than GCSE, I needed it for a college course I was doing, I did it at the college alongside the other course.

I have looked at this for DD2.

FS
. One exam, but longer than the gcse exams
. Reduced content, doesn't include for eg algebra or trig
. Wordier questions
. Can be done whenever, and online
. Easier to organise independently possibly

Dd2 is dyslexic with low stamina so we are having another try at GCSE, but if that doesn't work this summer will switch as will have finished college. We may even go for FS soon after gcse resit without pausing 2 months for the result.

I would guess FS is not so much easier as more accessible than the GCSE.
What grade did they get in GCSE as that may affect the choice - if they got a 3 they will probably be required to keep resitting GCSE to try to get a 4 even if they pass FS.

They did get a three. They’re dyslexic and finding it challenging. I just don’t want their college course to be postponed for a year due to maths as they’re doing really well and enjoying it.
Thank you for the responses.

I think functional maths is fine to progress to next stage. I know someone who is doing a degree now having done functional maths to get onto an Access to higher education course. As an employer I think highly of people not giving up but still achieving, not everyone is in a place to do GCSE’s

We had similar in English. The nuance is, they have to keep studying (maths in your case) in an attempt to pass GCSE if they got a 3. This is a condition of funding for the college course. But they don't have to pass it to get their BTEC or whatever. So if theres the opportunity to try functional skills that's good insurance.

I think English FS is more of a 'no brainer' as it is much more straightforward than the GCSE.
DD's FS result came in end Sept, and as soon as they saw the confirmation DD was allowed to drop college English lessons.

They need the maths to progress to the level two in their course. I want them to get it anyway, but if it wasn’t needed for the other course, there would be less pressure.

If he's at college and got a 3 at GCSE then he is required to be resitting GCSE, not functional skills.

Agree.

But there is nothing to stop him doing FS outside of college, and if he passes that then he can stop the GCSE, or at least that was what was OK for my DD with her English.

DS got a 3 at GCSE English but passed L2 FS English. He wasn’t required to retake the GCSE. He got a 2 in GCSE maths and then passed L2 FS maths on his third attempt.

I agree with other posters that FS maths is wordier than GCSE maths. He needed to have the questions simplified for him (this was included in his access arrangements). The questions were more ‘practical’ for everyday life than GCSE questions.

I think she had an EHCP?

Looking all over the condition of funding document, I can't see anywhere it says that someone on a grade 3 doesn't need to work towards GCSE if they pass functional skills. I can only find 'If a student achieves a GCSE grade 9 to 4 or a qualification deemed as equivalent by other means, then they will have met the condition of funding for the remainder of their programme. This also applies to students with prior attainment of GCSE grade 2 who pass Functional Skills level 2. '

You can find the AQA spec here: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/mathematics/functional-skills/mathematics-8361/specification (other exam boards are available). There will also be past papers etc out there- you could both have a look and see if you think it will play to his strengths?

I would download a paper and get her to do it.

Yes mine does have an EHCP. But surely the bit you quote is saying a FS Level 2 is OK? It is a qualification deemed as equivalent.

I'm also reading the 'this also applies' in the final sentence to mean they will have met the condition.

Not an expert on this though!

Functional skills isn't deemed equivalent for the conditions of funding.

Here's the equivalent qualifications list. I'd assume that functional skills only qualifies if the student has a GCSE grade 2 or below, and if they have a 3 it doesn't.

@noblegiraffe Thank you. How strange.

@Strictly1 What I would do is get in writing from the college
a) whether FS Level 2 would meet entrance criteria for the next course
and
b) whether FS Level 2 would mean your DC doesn't need to continue with maths whilst on that next course
and use that info to inform your decisions.

They will accept FS for the next part of his course and I’m happy for him to continue to study, attend lessons etc for maths GCSE. I just don’t want him not being able to start the next part of his course in September where’s he’s currently thriving.

The only thing might be they have to keep attending maths lessons until 19. DS had 2 years of GCSE English alongside his BTEC, but it took the pressure off knowing he didn't need to pass it. IIRC he failed all 4 attempts but he had FS level 2 from a different college so no problem on his CV.

I think the rationale is that a person who gets a GCSE 2 on first attempt (in Y11) would struggle to raise that to 4, so may do FS instead, but a 3 should be able to progress up to a 4. In our case the 3 was a COVID grade and unrealistic!

I also think there is a difference between a 'really a 2 but pushed hard to get a 3', and a 'just missed a 4'. There is quite a wide band for a 3 really.

I do think the funding rules document should be more clear on FS Level 2. It is a level 2 qualification, I don't see why they should discount it if someone has gone to the effort to pass it. They just ensure some pupils leave college with neither the FS nor the GCSE.

Maybe they should say y12s with a 3 have to do the GCSE but y13s can do FS.