Can kids do L3 course without English qualification?

[NoGCSEinEnglish]

Hi, Seeking anyone with experience in Level 2/3 courses at college. My son, with dyslexia, can't get through English GCSE or L2 Functional Skills. He is coming ot the end of a Level 2 City and Guilds Fabrication and Welding course where he has done brilliantly (student of the year!) and passed with distinctions. We had assumed he could go on to Level 3 while continuing to try for GCSE English but he has been told that he can't. When I called them about this exact issue a few months ago they told me that 'there was a route for him to continue'; likewise, the website says 'Typically you will need to have achived a grade 4/C in GCSE English and maths or a Level 2 Engineering qualification.' I don't really know if there is any point escalating with the college, and they make it nearly impossible to speak to anyone anyway. So does anyone know if it is actually possible for a kid to continue on to Level 3 without English GCSE? Is it actually just this college that is blocking him or is this common practice?

Where is he up to with the FS? He can bank bits he has passed and only retake failed bits. Dd took each of the 3 sections separately so tutoring could really focus on each bit

Might be dependent on the course but yes my son moved up from a Level 2 to Level 3 without English

He passed the reading part of functional skills, failed writing and speaking and listenting. (I think he can pass the S and L part easily enough, he just didn't 'get' what he was meant to be doing first time.) It's always writing that messes him up. But yes, he is entered again (privately - keeps getting Grade 3 in GCSE so doesn't qualify for funding in college to do it.)

We had similar issue re funding and also did it privately. Can you keep going next 3 months over the summer? Is he getting tutoring from a FS experienced person?

(Sorry no help on your actual question )

Should add my son had an EHCP though so that may be a factor in the decision

It makes me so cross that they do this to young people. To cut a whole section of the community off because they can’t pass an arbitrary level.
It just sets people up to fail.
I really feel for you.

Ha, he's getting tutored by me (ex-English teacher) which is a tad embarrassing. We'll keep plugging away, get him better support if needed, but it's really the disappointment of the college saying he could continue then changing at the last minute which we're a bit challenged by. Their suggestion appears to be that he keeps doing L2 courses but that seems pointless.

I think the answer is that they can admit him, but it’s up to the college who set their own admissions criteria. So frustrating. Is there a different college you could try, or remote options?

Our tutor with prior experience of FS really helped focus on how to get the required marks.

Does he have an EHCP? That can give more flexibility. It could be a timetabling thing for resits so if you aspire it is being done privately that could help? It is so annoying when the rules are so rigid.

Yes I get that; completely accept that they can set their own stanards but it is the case that those standards were apparently misrepresented to us (and are still being misrepresented on the website.) Not really any other colleges or online options; it looks like he just keeps doing L2 courses or tries to get a job. His plan is to go full time at his part time warehouse job but that's not a very good long terms solution. We'll keep trying!

It may be a funding issue as he cannot qualify at level 3 without meeting the basic criteria. Alternative might be an apprenticeship so he can learn alongside the job.

I teach L3 courses to students still resitting English (and maths) all the time - some of them have come from L2 without passing their English so they just keep on at it while doing L3.

And does he get access arrangements for his tests?

Yes, I assume it's some funding thing but then they should be upfront about that when applying. (Sorry to keep going on; I am very angry at the college and his teachers but I know that's not helpful.) We have applied for a couple of (slightly random!) apprenticeships but most of them require English also.

Annoyingly, I used to do this also - BTEC L3 classes full of kids resitting. It was overseas though, so I though tthere might be something in City and Guilds or OFQUAL regs which meant progression was different here. I assume it's just the college or, more likely, that particular department.

Hi also do know kids who have taken level 3 courses whilst repeatedly resitting either maths or English. Some who have passed level 3 without it. It likely is the particular college or department.

Don’t blame you for being angry and frustrated, OP!