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Original poster

Advice for son15 whose good at maths!

38 replies

Moomoola · 11/03/2023 06:42

Hi, my DS is 15 and seems to be very good at maths, physics and computing. He gets 90+% without revising. Hes doing nat 5 and I wondered if anyone knew how I could encourage him a bit more. Our friends son goes to a posh Edinburgh school where they seem to be really challenged, son is getting bored in class and teachers do et seem to be too on it. We live Edinburgh way.
thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Moomoola · 11/03/2023 07:01

I posted this because a Friend was talking about his son getting a scholarship, I didn’t know such things existed! Feeling like I’ve messed up sons opportunities through my own lack of knowledge. Thanks.

OP posts:
ohfibonacci · 11/03/2023 07:04

Does he do the Scottish Maths Challenge? www.wpr3.co.uk/MC/

Nat 5 is pretty easy if you’re good at Maths. I’d get in touch with the school and see what they suggest. Is he in 3rd year?

moonpixel · 11/03/2023 07:04

If your son is achieving 90+ what exactly do you want to push for?

ohfibonacci · 11/03/2023 07:05

@moonpixel she wants him challenged and not bored and turned off by Maths.

ohfibonacci · 11/03/2023 07:07

This www.maths.ed.ac.uk/school-of-mathematics/outreach/maths-circle
although may be a bit young for him

ohfibonacci · 11/03/2023 07:11

Ps if he’s very bright could you contact some of the schools about scholarships? Call admissions and be bold and ask

ohfibonacci · 11/03/2023 07:13

Although my first port of call would be to speak to the school and find out what is available for him. STEM/engineering clubs. Maths challenge. What does he want?

carriedout · 11/03/2023 07:15

Does he have something like a Raspberry Pi at home? They are cheap, you can get a starter kit and plug into the TV as a monitor. Get him some books on Python and set him off coding.

Also approach local universities for summer schools. Mine has lots of free talks too, see what there is in the relevant subject areas.

moonpixel · 11/03/2023 07:17

ohfibonacci · 11/03/2023 07:05

@moonpixel she wants him challenged and not bored and turned off by Maths.

He will be moving on to higher very soon anyway

ohfibonacci · 11/03/2023 07:22

@moonpixel Not if he’s only just 15, he might just be S3. But yes Higher is a big step up. Maths is more than just exams though.

moonpixel · 11/03/2023 07:25

ohfibonacci · 11/03/2023 07:22

@moonpixel Not if he’s only just 15, he might just be S3. But yes Higher is a big step up. Maths is more than just exams though.

Sorry I just assumed since he was doing Nat 5 he would move on naturally. I have misread here. Sorry OP, please ignore me.

Original poster
Moomoola · 11/03/2023 07:34

Gosh no worries. thanks everyone for bothering to reply!
he will move on naturally but he’s just bored. He spotted a simpler way to do something in computer lessons and the teacher told him off for not following it exactly.
he likes maths, computing physics. Engineering is spoilt by an impossibly dull teacher and he likes problem solving.
looking at the links now! Thank you!
am just very aware that there are a lot of opportunities out there, but it’s knowing they are there!

OP posts:
Cornishmumofone · 11/03/2023 08:07

Maybe have a look at the STEM courses of FutureLearn: www.futurelearn.com

ohfibonacci · 11/03/2023 08:09

Which school year is he in @Moomoola ?

CatOnTheChair · 11/03/2023 08:29

He might like the highest levels in Parallel by Simon Singh.
I think it's a free sign up (ours is through school).
There are weekly puzzle and maths questions released - and I 7think it goes upto around age 16.

dementedpixie · 11/03/2023 08:34

Is he not in S4 and set to sit exams soon?
My ds is 16 and going to do his highers in a few months.
Your ds will likely start S5 work soon after his exams

Original poster
Moomoola · 11/03/2023 08:52

Yes, S4 about to sit exams. So I guess he needs to do those, but he just passed all the prelims at 90% or so without revising 🙄
just like to encourage/ find fun stuff to challenge him a bit but without putting him off.
the links that you’ve all posted look interesting, thank you!

OP posts:
motherstongue · 11/03/2023 08:58

Most Independent Schools offer scholarships for 6th form (5 & 6th year) so if he’s still in S3 then he could try this route however if he’s already in S4 he’ll have missed the intake for the next academic year. The scholarships amount to very little fee reduction, what you need is a bursary.

duckfordinner · 11/03/2023 09:09

CatOnTheChair · 11/03/2023 08:29

He might like the highest levels in Parallel by Simon Singh.
I think it's a free sign up (ours is through school).
There are weekly puzzle and maths questions released - and I 7think it goes upto around age 16.

Thank you so much! My son is In similar position. He is 13. Too advanced for his math class at school. This will make him happy and challenged.

ohfibonacci · 11/03/2023 10:38

@Moomoola Well it’s good he’s about to sit his exams at least. Higher is a big step up so that should keep him a bit more challenged. Definitely ask the school about the maths challenges/other things he can access.

ohfibonacci · 11/03/2023 10:42

Also Hannah Fry is good. Google her and look up YouTube.

And this https://youtube.com/@numberphile

Washingandironing · 12/03/2023 07:05

My DD got right into Khan Academy during lockdown when she was in S4. They do loads of maths and physics in a fun way and she was learning about Quantum Physics at one point. I assume it wasn’t just available for lockdown and is still free.

Original poster
Moomoola · 13/03/2023 09:05

Thank you all!
Kahn academy looks good too. He doesn't do the Scottish challenge and we've just missed maths day at the uni. I missed the Rubik's cube convention in Glasgow too, I seem to not know how to find these things. If anyone knows how, please let me know!

I'll call the school first off. Thank you all!

OP posts:
lorisparkle · 13/03/2023 10:04

Have you looked at nrich.maths.org

lorisparkle · 13/03/2023 10:05

Or www.gchq.gov.uk/section/news/puzzles