What if you can’t do maths?

[rainbowsandcloudyskies]

DS is applying for post 16 courses. The courses (BTech) say you will be signposted to level 1 courses if you don’t get GCSE level 4 (some ask for 3) in maths and English. He is working at GCSE level 6 in English but he cannot do maths. He just is unable to deal with maths problems involving more than one step. He does have tutoring but this has not improved his grade. He has been a level 1 (GCSE grade) from year 7 to year 11. The school cannot / are not interested in why he has not made progress. Will he really have to do level 1 BTech to focus on English and maths, when English is already fine and his other subjects are okay? Most of the colleges don’t have level 1 options anyway. What can someone who can’t do maths, do at 16+?
Just looking for advice as my elder daughter went through a simple A level route and I have little knowledge of other options.

I think it’ll depend on which course. Eg engineering then yes maths is important.

Sport or Media.

Maths should be less important then than English.
what happens for your ds
with maths? Can the tutor give you some insight?

BTEC level 2 could be an option if level 3 isn’t. Then could take functional skills maths alongside.

Thank you for replying.

A level 2 with maths would be okay but if he does sport he will just be repeating his current level BTech in sport which he is working at a merit in.

What do 16 year olds do if not a course? Apprentices all ask for maths too. As do employers? It is hard to see a future pathway? I know maths is important but he can’t do it. He can do other subjects.

Is his BTEC level 2 in sport equivalent to 1 or 2 GCSEs?

He might be able to get college to give him a trial on level 3 sport if the only issue is maths.

Id suggest starting that conversation now so can see the options.

some apprenticeships ask for numeracy and literacy skills rather than GCSE.

What feedback has his
maths tutor given?

Would a change of tutor help?

He hasn’t been tutored for long. It is a last ditch attempt. She is concentrating on practice papers and building confidence. He is virtually phobic about maths and the panicking does not help problem solving.

The Sport BTech is worth one GCSE I think.

His interviews start from next week. Should I speak to admissions do you think? Or get him to speak at the interviews about it?

Thanks.

there is a condition called dyscalculia - it is similar to dyslexia but specific to maths. he might want to get an assessment and, it he has this, he might be able to access specialized support.

Does he have Dyscalculia? It’s a recognised condition so could potentially get extra times in exams, extra support from school?

First. he will/should not have to do English if he passes the GCSE, whatever level course he is on.

If he otherwise has good grades you may find they will be flexible and take him for L2 (or L3 but unlikely) without the maths.
He could maybe do Outdoor Pursuits if the Sport would be a redo (though it might be a 'bigger' qualification than he has done at school.

The problem may be that the L3 timetable won't be set to allow for maths lessons too, and they are compulsory without the pass unless he has an EHCP which would give flexibility.

Nobody at school seems to think it is dyscalculia so I guess I would have to get a private assessment. How do you go about this?

Have a look at these:

filestore.aqa.org.uk/sample-papers-and-mark-schemes/2022/january/AQA-83621-QP-JAN22.PDF

filestore.aqa.org.uk/sample-papers-and-mark-schemes/2022/january/AQA-83622-QP-JAN22.PDF

They are Functional Skills papers. A pass at Level 2 Functional Skills would mean he doesn't have to try to get his GCSE.

@TeenDivided relieved about the English thing.

He probably won’t ever pass his maths GCSE. It’s not just gaps but a complete lack of understanding of number.

If he does level 2, and doesn’t pass maths again, is he ever allowed to do level 3?

@Lougle Thank you. I will have a look.

Now that I'm not sure about.

It is ridiculous that someone should be stopped from progressing on something because they can't get English or Maths if they could otherwise do the course.

I wouldn't hold out too much hope for improving at college. DD gets 3 hrs of both of Maths & English per week, but the maths teachers keep leaving / changing. And they swapped to a different English board too.

Ask the tutor to go back to where your ds got lost in maths.

It seems that his confidence needs building back up (if it’s not dyscalculia) with maths and going back to basics might be useful. Don’t worry if he doesn’t achieve a grade in maths or has to do a level 1 or 2. Ime college are better at support than schools.

Yes to having a chat with curriculum/ admissions.

He might still be allowed to take level 2 or even 3 btec alongside resitting maths (or Functional Skills Numeracy) at level 2, Otherwise he could do level 2 vocational course in year 12 then a two year level 3.

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. Your answers are really helpful.

It does feel like most pathways are ruled out because of maths. As all his friends are staying on at his school, his confidence is being knocked further. He has lots of good qualities, is not academic but is doing okay in most subjects but seems to have limited options.

@LIZS even if there is no maths progress after year 12?

You say he can't manage problems that involve more than one step. Can he do mental arithmetic? Do you think he'd pass an equivalent numeracy test?

For example this: Award in Number and Measure - Levels 1 & 2

The Award in Number and Measure is an excellent stepping-stone to GCSE Maths. You’ll cover topics including budgeting and financial calculations, shapes and area, measurement, charts, tables and graphs. We all know that maths is essential whatever your future plans. Our supportive, inspirational teachers will coach you through the basics and identify the areas you need to work on to build your confidence and make sense of numerical data. Spending enough time on each section of the course and getting plenty of exam practice, you will gain confidence as your skills and understanding develop.

Depends on the college, I'm not sure they can award the level 3 without it but he can resit the level 2 until he passes. Is he taking Foundation level Maths?

He is doing foundation level.

He has okay recall of multiplication facts but sometimes needs to actually draw to work out answers.

@LIZS Can they not achieve level 3 BTech without maths GCSE pass?

If you don’t pass GCSE maths / English (grade 4), then you must retake alongside whatever pathway you take at post 16. Even if you’re doing an apprenticeship. Govt policy.

if GCSE maths is too hard, then you can do functional maths.

sounds like he needs to find a level 2/3 course that will allow him to resit his maths alongside (I.e. that doesn’t have maths as an entry requirement). So for example, we have A level students who are re-taking maths alongside their other (non-maths based) subjects. I think they just keep going until they get the grade they need. (Will check ).