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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Maths teacher leaving before end of year

133 replies

Absentadditive · 15/01/2024 14:06

Hello, a friend has sent me here to see if someone might be able to help.

My child is sitting Advanced Higher maths this year but their teacher is leaving at the end of this month. The school only has one other maths teacher qualified to teach at this level but they have not taught the course for many years and also I have been informed is not available for the full timetable of classes.

My child will most likely be asked for their advanced higher maths as a condition for some of their university offers. Is there anything I can do here? Mitigating factors sent into universities etc. It feels like a bit of a bomb being dropped on my child's future. Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thank you

OP posts:
FrippEnos · 15/01/2024 14:10

Find a tutor.

peachescariad · 15/01/2024 14:23

A teacher leaving mid term? That's very unusual unless she's going on maternity leave. If your child is sitting higher maths in June, hasn't the majority if not all of the syllabus, already been covered?
How many in the class? Group tutor after school? Remaining teacher do ad hoc revision/top up classes?

Original poster
Absentadditive · 15/01/2024 14:29

I cannot afford to pay a tutor.

The teacher is a male and not going on leave of any sort, he is leaving for another school.

My child has already sat their higher maths last year and is studying maths this year at advanced higher with the view to study maths at University but still waiting on offers coming in.

I have told them to ask the existing teacher if they will hold some group sessions for pupils at existing school. I think there is still a chunk of the curriculum to be covered. Last year at the same school they were still not finished the curriculum after the school holidays in April so it is not unusual here unfortunately.(this was for higher maths)

OP posts:
Original poster
Absentadditive · 15/01/2024 14:31

Sorry forgot to add that the other issue is finding anyone locally that is capable of doing group tutoring as everyone seems to be limited to Higher maths level.

An online private tutor is out due to affordability which is why I mention the group tutoring only.

OP posts:
FrippEnos · 15/01/2024 14:32

peachescariad

Its not that unusual.

Absentadditive

They may well offer sessions, but please remember that these sessions are done out of the good will of the teacher.

Star81 · 15/01/2024 14:34

How many are doing the advanced higher maths ? A possibility may be being taught at another nearby school if they have that level available. Our school send people to other schools to do subjects they can’t provide

Original poster
Absentadditive · 15/01/2024 14:34

FrippEnos · 15/01/2024 14:32

peachescariad

Its not that unusual.

Absentadditive

They may well offer sessions, but please remember that these sessions are done out of the good will of the teacher.

Yes of course, I am not going to be mad if they said no, they are entitled to change job. It is just awful timing for us. Also I would expect everyone to pay (just not individually as much as a private 1 on 1 tutor)

OP posts:
Original poster
Absentadditive · 15/01/2024 14:37

@FrippEnos are you familiar with the Scottish schooling system? I wondered about asking if they could attend lessons at another school? Even remotely? This was offered for some subjects at the start if the school year with pupil numbers too low to staff at each school separately.
I don't know if that is a stupid thing to ask the school about though?

OP posts:
Original poster
Absentadditive · 15/01/2024 14:38

Star81 · 15/01/2024 14:34

How many are doing the advanced higher maths ? A possibility may be being taught at another nearby school if they have that level available. Our school send people to other schools to do subjects they can’t provide

Ah, I just said that at the same time. I might ask the school about this. I am not sure on numbers in the class, perhaps around 15.

OP posts:
Star81 · 15/01/2024 14:51

The problem is from mid Aug - end March isn’t long to learn the one year course normally let alone without a qualified teacher.

FrippEnos · 15/01/2024 14:52

Absentadditive

I don't know a lot about the Scottish system.
There is a possibility of using another school, or try night classes at a college.

17to35 · 15/01/2024 15:39

I know the Scottish system.
You may be able to have your son attend classes in a PRIVATE school.
This has happened before with the school my children attended.
It is good for the private school. Outreach. More of their pupils will be doing advanced higher maths

17to35 · 15/01/2024 15:40

At no cost.

GinandDubonnet · 15/01/2024 15:43

I am not familiar with the Scottish system but it might be worth having a look on YouTube. I have just had a quick look at found the MrThomasMaths channel which seems to cover the whole Advanced Higher Maths curriculum- there are certainly a lot of videos!

TizerorFizz · 15/01/2024 15:53

I think it’s somewhat unprofessional
to leave your pupils high and dry before these really important exams knowing the school cannot get a replacement. It sounds like schools should amalgamate and share more resources . Some decent ideas but what is the school saying?

Original poster
Absentadditive · 15/01/2024 16:13

I never have much luck when I email or call the school so I think I might have to turn up at the door to actually speak to someone. Which I fully intend to do

OP posts:
MabelMaybe · 15/01/2024 16:26

@Absentadditive what have the school told you their solution to this is? Presumably if they've allowed this member of staff to leave mid-term, rather than half term or Easter, they must have a plan B lined up.

Original poster
Absentadditive · 15/01/2024 16:35

MabelMaybe · 15/01/2024 16:26

@Absentadditive what have the school told you their solution to this is? Presumably if they've allowed this member of staff to leave mid-term, rather than half term or Easter, they must have a plan B lined up.

Basically what I have put in my original post is their solution, which is leaving pupils to their own devices for some sessions (or offering a non maths substitute teacher) , then supplying a teacher who struggles to teach nat 5 and higher maths for the rest of the time. We are now just talking about leaving school as it probably spells the end of hoping to get into the university of choice.
They taught themselves the course last year when they had this teacher that is taking over for higher as the pupils were more able than the teacher.

To add- the teacher that is leaving is excellent.

OP posts:
Aurea · 15/01/2024 16:49

Does the school have a plan?

My son's school had a pupil from a nearby school dialling into lessons remotely for AH maths. This worked out quite well.

There are lots of online resources which should help but I would ask the school to explain your extenuating circumstances to the universities that your son has applied for. Has your DC applied for English unis for the AH maths requirement?

Hope things work out.

Aurea · 15/01/2024 16:50

PS my son managed AH mechanics fine with just three timetabled lessons a week with a subject teacher.

Original poster
Absentadditive · 15/01/2024 16:59

Thanks all, it is actually my daughter 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
Absentadditive · 15/01/2024 17:02

Aurea · 15/01/2024 16:49

Does the school have a plan?

My son's school had a pupil from a nearby school dialling into lessons remotely for AH maths. This worked out quite well.

There are lots of online resources which should help but I would ask the school to explain your extenuating circumstances to the universities that your son has applied for. Has your DC applied for English unis for the AH maths requirement?

Hope things work out.

No further plan than what I have already mentioned! Bit pathetic really, they would have 2 lessosn a week with a teacher that is poor.
She has applied for Scottish universities only but we were worried they might ask for her AH maths grade? Not sure if they would though? She wants to continue and sit the exam anyway as she loves it so will most likely leave school and just sit as a private candidate as at this time there is no added value to her being at school and she could be working full time making some money!

OP posts:
Aurea · 15/01/2024 17:06

As long as she has an A at higher maths, she may be fine without AH maths. Why don't you contact the uni admissions departments and enquire?

My son is in first year at Edinburgh uni studying computer science and he received an unconditional offer based on his higher results only. There was no requirement for AHs at all.

Original poster
Absentadditive · 15/01/2024 17:13

Aurea · 15/01/2024 17:06

As long as she has an A at higher maths, she may be fine without AH maths. Why don't you contact the uni admissions departments and enquire?

My son is in first year at Edinburgh uni studying computer science and he received an unconditional offer based on his higher results only. There was no requirement for AHs at all.

Ah thank you, that is very helpful as Edinburgh is her first choice. She does have an A at higher, we just had no idea what they could possibly make the terms of their offer. It may well be a rejection anyway!

She wants to continue her maths and sit as a private candidate because she enjoys it so much but we didn't know if they would want her grades in her other subjects which was the bit we were worried about if she left school. There is zero value in her staying by the looks of it.

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 15/01/2024 17:37

Yes, this should be mentioned as an extenuating circumstance on UCAS form. Has it already gone off?

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