Hi, looking for others thoughts on G.C.S.Es

[Dogstar1]

Hi, I have been HEing my daughter for the last 5 and a half years. She is 14 and has Aspergers. We have had pretty much an autonomous approach but I do encourage her to do maths (otherwise she just wouldn't bother at all). I was just wondering what some of you thought about taking G.C.S.E.s, at the minute I can't see the point as I know she would not be able to cope with sitting a formal exam and would find it far too stressful. Although I hope she will be able to find a job in the future, her options will be really limited as to what she could cope with. I would like her to finish her education with some form of qualifications and have found a Basic Maths course that she can do but not until she is 16. I know this is (hopefully) the best approach for her but can't help but feel that in 2 years I will get comments of "What? She has no G.C.S.E.s" and this is probably just my paranoia but can't help but worry. Any comments or advice would be welcome.

Hi Dogstar. I am new to Home ed so please accept my apologies for lack of knowledge. My older 2 dcs have gone through school and middle dc 17 now has aspergers but not severley. As far as managing the work was concerned he was hit and miss and really didn't do too well, although he is bright. I would look at the subjects she likes that interest her. Also I don't think GCSE's are that important although Maths and English are essential to all employers now. As you probably know level 2 Eng and Maths are offered as an alternative to GCSE from 16 years old free of charge at local colleges. Level 1,2 and 3 courses are also free up to age 19 so if your dd isn't sure of what she wants yet theres no hurry. I was a FE teacher and my students were a mixed bag, some coming in who had nothing as ed system had failed them. They managed fine and any who struggled with any aspect were supported by learning support and Key Skills. Personally, I found it rewarding to work with these students, they were on level 2 and 3. However, there is also an entry level and that was for people who would struggle to manage their own lives as adults. I'm sure this wouldn't be your level but gives an indication that education is for all levels. I cried when a lad so completely unable, managed to cook and prepare a meal.

Thanks for the reply. As things stand at the minute I can't forsee her going to college but kids change all the time so you never know. I'm happy for her to do online courses if thats what she wants as long as at some point she is working towards some kind of qualification. I think I'm just looking for some kind of reassurance that I'm heading in the right direction as we all have moments of doubt lol. I can imagine your tears of joy at the lad you mention. From experience I can appreciate how wonderful it is when something that most people would consider easy and everyday, is achieved by someone who finds these everyday tasks challenging.

Could she have a look at the syllabus for at least GCSE English and Maths? If she could possibly do them it would open doors for her and give her more choice- they may not be as challenging as you think.

It's not the work as such that she has a problem with it's the actual exams. She is capable of figuring stuff out with help, explainations and reassurance that it's not that hard to do but put her in front of a sheet a paper with loads of questions etc and she just blanks and automatically thinks she can't do it, panics and gets stressed and then can't get past that. That's why I'm thinking if she does something online with a distance learning college she can work at her own pace and not have the stress of an impending exam at the end to deal with.

Bear in mind that she hasn't tried for a while- and she'll be older when the exams come up. Could you try doing practice papers? I know it's a pain- but even ancouple of GSCEs will make such a difference to her choices in the future.

Actually, when did she last have to do an exam? She's probably a different person now!

I'm sorry but I disagree with the more choices comment about GCSE's. Ok if you particularly want to go to uni to do an academic subject then GCSE's are usually preferred but even then not essential. I didn't have any. Any vocational course at any level is not requiring GCSE's anymore. Yes Maths and English are necessary but if the worst comes to the worst, the job centre will send you for free tuition. A level 2 City and Guilds Maths and English is accepted as an equivalent to GCSE in everything but ITT for primary/secondary teaching. Everybody has access to the basics whoever they are and how ever old they are. I think without the stress of GCSE's and A levels some people can achieve a much higher level of qualification and I believe it makes you think what you really want to do with your life. GCSE's can complicate a simple choice.

I agree to some extent. But if you can get at least English and maths at about the time most of your peers get them it just makes life easier. Of course there are always ways round not having them. But they do smooth the way. Not a disaster if you don't- but so much easier if you do.

I don't think I've seen a job spec for anything recently that doesn't ask for English and Maths GCSE.

I don't think I have seen a job spec that doesn't ask for Maths and English GCSE or equivalent either. I just don't think it really matters in the scheme of things when the OP doesn't think her dd will be ready to attend college anyway. Personally I would be advising that this would be a shame not the lack of GCSE's.
I hope your dd is able to attend college some day OP as I think she would benefit from the social and educational benefits, if I am mistaken my apologies. I don't know your dd nor her needs I just believe in education for all.

I don't think attending college is necessary- loads of HE children don't. It's the "bits of paper" that can be important- and you can get them without going to college!

I totally agree but if anybody wants to go they are now able and the lack of GCSE's doesn't hold them back. It is also a good option for those not taking GCSE's to mix with others and gain a qualification if they weren't ready to do so at the same time as their peers, for whatever reason.
In my day it was 5 O levels 2 A levels for uni and most college courses required 5 O levels. It's good to see opportunity for all now, especially during so many cut backs.

Like I said I would like her to get some form of qualifications before she finishes her education with me, however I am not planning on that being at 16 and more likely 18. I am hoping to help her achieve her 'bits of paper' whether they are G.C.S.E.s or equivalant. There is no time limit on her attending college if thats what she wants to do in the future, there are lots of people that choose to go when they are older. Don't get me wrong, if she decided she wanted to go at 16 I would happily encourage her. Because of her AS I know there will be lots of jobs she will be unable to do due to various issues that she has but I am determined to help her find something she can eventually do that she will enjoy. G.C.S.E.s won't necessarily help although I do acknowledge she needs to have some kind of qualifications. Also I believe having boat loads of G.C.S.E.s doesn't necessarily make you a better candidate for a job, yes a lot of employers look for them but she is not going to be looking for just any job. Where I work, I have worked with many young people that have quite a few G.C.S.E.s and are completely hopeless when it comes to being in a work environment and have no inclination to actually graft. I am not saying all young people are like this but there are quite a few. I have a family member who left school with 13 and basically has no intention of getting a job for as long as she can manage on benefits (something which I totally disagree with). What I am trying to say is that just because someone has loads of qualifications it doesn't necessarily mean they will be any good at a job and vice versa.

"What I am trying to say is that just because someone has loads of qualifications it doesn't necessarily mean they will be any good at a job and vice versa."

Absolutely!

But there are loads of jobs she won't even be able to apply for if she hasn't got GCSE English and Maths. That's just a fact of life. So if she could possibly get thwtbshe will have more choices.

If it's the actual test situation which is the main issue, can you look at alternatives which are more based on submitting written work as a form of continuous assessment, rather than the time-critical pressure of 2 hours in exam hall. Open University springs to mind. The immensely favourable funding conditions no longer operate for new students under 18 but it might still be worth considering.

Another approach would be to tackle it sideways by doing quizzes and timed tests to beat your own personal best score which some children with Aspergers like (though some hate!)

I did my level 2 in English and Maths at the college where I taught. I would have managed a GCSE in English, but never Maths and as time was vital I had to do them quickly. I used to panic in exam situations and left school with nothing. For me this system really worked as it was multiple choice and tick the box on the screen. I had a weekly lesson for an hour then did practice questions on the screen. It took alot of the pressure off and also you were pretty sure you'd pass before they entered you. There were as I said many who had struggled to gain the GCSE for many reasons and the teachers were all qualified to teach people like this, including myself. To date this is my biggest achievement despite gaining a 2.1 B.A and a PGCE. As I said before unless you want to be a Primary/secondary teacher these quals are equivalent to GCSE's. I'm sure an I.T is offered too. This might not be right for your dd but in terms of less pressure it certainly worked for me.

Thanks again for your replies. I think the Open University or something similar is probably the route I'm going to take as I think continuous assessment might be better for her. My main priority is Maths and English and anything after that is a bonus but I'm hoping she will be encouraged to work towards something else as well. I would prefer her to have some qualifications, it's just trying to figure out the best route to take, it's such a minefield.

Dogstar- when did she last try any sort of exam?

It will have been when she was last at school which I know was a good while ago. I know from experience of working with her that especially with maths, if I give her a sheet of paper with loads of questions on she just looks at it and panics. Straight away she gets stressed and thinks she can't possibly do any of them. If I sit with her and take her through them one at a time she is mostly able to do them but she can't seem to get past the panic to sit and do them alone. Like I said before I think something with continuous assessment is going to be the better option for her.

Open University is now very expensive and most modules have exams at the end that you must pass too.

I think BTECs don't always have exams, but I've never heard of them being done at home.

I've spoken to the Open University today and nearly fell over when I heard the prices and yes most do involve an exam of some description. I have found somewhere called Stonebridge college where she can do a level 1 maths course at home but not until she is 16. They do loads of other courses too so I'll keep them in mind for the future.

Dogstar. You have my 100% sympathy. I too was just like your daughter and it is a horrible feeling to go through. The sheer panic sends a sickening feeling throughout your body and it is awful. Does she hypoventilate too?
I will look for you as well as this is something so close to home and as I say I'm passionate about opportunities for all. If I do ever find anything I will pm you straight away. I was in my forties before I finally plucked up the courage and if it hadn't been dependent on my job I still don't think I'd have done it. I'm sure your dd will achieve her Maths before I did. Good luck and I promise to keep looking for you.

morethan Thanks very much I do appreciate it, I have come to the conclusion not to worry about it for now. I'm still going to look at options, just not worry at the same time.

My DD doesn't hyperventilate, she just panics and assumes she can't do it. I think she just finds it too overwhelming if I give her large chunks of work to do at one time. I should have also mentioned the chance of her sitting still for two to three hours is nil. I'm sure I'll get something sorted for her eventually.