Opportunities to do FE sciences if failed GCSE English

[user1471451327]

I was talking to someone in their early 20s, who is stuck in minimum wage jobs but struck me as unusually intelligent.
I asked her if she had gone to college and she said no because with her dyslexia, she had failed her English GCSE and other similar subjects. She had done very well in Physics, maths and another science with As. She said that she could not get on a science A levels course at an FE College because of the English fail.
I am not in contact with her about her education but she says herself that she feels unfulfilled. Is there something I could direct her to, to give her guidance on aiming higher and what the first steps would be including funding? I suspect that her household income is modest and she has a baby.

There are free courses available for adults who haven't passed their GCSE English language. Depending on her age and aims there would either be the option of taking a GCSE or an equivalent such as Functional skills. Once she has gained this qualification then she would probably be eligible for an access course.
The local FE college would be able to provide advice.

She could do an access course and English GCSE along side.

Taking the GCSE and access course at the same time depends on the college policy and whether this young woman would be prepared to be a full time student or not. It would be possible to take GCSE as a part-time course and for her to keep working.

Are such courses funded for adults?

English GCSE (and Maths) is free for adults.

Access course fees are payable with an Advanced Learner Loan which is written off if the student then goes to university.

Functional skills Maths and English are free for anyone that doesn't already have a L2 qualification in that subject