Struggling at college level 2 plumbing

[Misschattyx]

Hi everyone, I did a thread a while back due to my ds struggling with his maths and english and now have a new problem. Just a quick recap my ds was diagnosed with dyselexia and working memory decifit at the beginning of college when doing his level 1. He's now on level 2 and things have obviously gotten harder. He seems to be ok with practical work but really struggling with the online exams at college.

He failed one exam 3 times and another once and it's really, really getting him down. He revises so much at home and I've sat with him and can see him struggling with questions. They either don't sink in or he just completely doesn't get them.

I rang the college concerned and his tutor said at the moment to not worry only worry when it's the end of the year and he's literally failing everything but this didn't help. He can't do an apprentiship because he needs to pass either a maths or English exam which is due in summer. Apprentiship would probably be better for him but until he passes maths or English he can't do that. Alot of his friends are passing the exams and this makes him feel worse I've tried everything to help. The problem is if he fails one exam the college mive to another one and then resit the previous one so he has 2 to revise for which confuses him as he struggles to take things in. Everything has to be simplified. It hasn't been easy for them as they've had all tutors leave and new ones who are alot different to the old ones and don't explain things like the old tutors do. I'm scared he fail his level 2. The tutor didn't say much about what will happen if he did fail level 2. Can he resit level 2? Of he passes maths or English he will do apprentiship but I've been up all night worried about him. I feel absolutely helpless.

If it’s affecting him negatively, why doesn’t he think of doing something else that he can do? He might be better getting a job that he can do. MH is so important in teens.

How old is he?

Can he learn to drive yet?

This is always a big boost for teenagers when they pass their driving test.

I have mentioned perhaps finding something but he said its what he wants to do and doesn't want to give up. I've give him lots of encouragement and support. I am qualified in mental health so that's my main priority. I spoke to the college about this and they're going to try give him the support they can. He wants to carry this on but is more worried about that happens if he fails the whole level can he retake level 2? If he passes English perhaps apprentiship.

He does have his provisional but wanted to start lessons next year as he thinks it may be too much to focus on with exams and driving lessons at the same time.

When your DS was diagnosed with dyslexia did they put access arrangements in place for exams for him? (Extra time, a reader etc). If not, contact the college and speak to the head of learning support. You can get access arrangements for dyslexia in this kind of exam as well as functional skills or GCSEs.

All through school he struggled and no matter how hard i tried they kept saying there's nothing wrong they'd done dyslexia screening and it was normal, then he failed exams. He started college in the September so I went straight to learning support and they diagnosed him within days. They said he has high functioning dyslexia and will give extra time and a smaller room with no more than 10 people in. He doesn't have readers or certain coloured paper because they said his reading is actually fine. It's mainly how he processes things such as he'll read a question read the answers but forget the question or forget what he's read. I sat woth him lastnight doing some revising and he struggles to break down the question and overthinks alot too.

His maths and english are aware he has struggles but until I spoke to his head of the course I didn't realise that they were not told. I explained everything to them and they said they'll do what they can. It's hard now his old plumbing tutor left because he really got along with him and he knew exactly how to speak to my ds and how to break things down for him and as soon as he left he's gone downhill. I'm hoping now the tutors actually know his struggles they can support him further but I suppose there's only so much they can do as a college.

Are the exams plumbing specific or generic stuff like health and safety?
There are free quizzes online for H&S that I went through with DD making sure she knew/understood.

A reader may help. DD can read fine, but it helps her processing to hear stuff out loud whilst reading along.

English level 2 functional skills is much more straightforward than the GCSE.

I'm sort of in the same boat with son doing level 2 in plumbing and retaking maths.
I asked the tutor what happens if he doesnt pass the course or maths as apprenticeships in plumbing are hard to come by and the ones we've looked at need maths. I was told he can do another level 2 but can't be in construction?
So do they leave and find a job at 17 in June?
It just is so worrying

Aw, that's so sad op as it looks like you are really putting a lot of effort into supporting your son. I hope you can find a way. Just wanted to say i applaud you for doing everything you can to support him..kudos to you.

I agree it's so worrying for us aswell as them. My ds failed both maths and english and was told of he passes one of those he can go for apprentiship but told me not to worry at the moment but it's hard not to. My da is going to ask his tutor of he can retake level 2 again of he does fail the course. He really loves plumbing and is good practically but just can't do the online exams.

Thankyou I am trying as best I can by supporting him and speaking to the college. My ds doesn't want to give up but it's really stressing him out. I don't want him worrying over Xmas.