Any teachers advice needed please

[Vettrianofan]

DS has decided he isn't going to keep going with Higher Maths and not sitting the SQA exam in May. He has been struggling since August/September with the work even though he got a B at Nat 5. Anyway it's been suggested he can get Numeracy level 6 instead but has to stay in the Higher class to finish the course in the spring.

What is level 6 an equivalent of? Have tried searching but can't see it on SQA website. Thanks.

My son achieved a level 6 unit in RMPS (investigating religion and belief) without doing the full higher.

My understanding is that it was a stand alone unit awarded at higher level but not a full qualification. (Level 6 is higher and level 7 is advanced higher).

NB: I am a parent and not a teacher.

@Aurea thank you for explaining what the level 6 aspect of it is. Does it show up on the SQA certificate in August?

Well done to your DS too, for his achievement on his level 6 in RMPS.

I was a bit gutted when DS said he just couldn't manage doing the Higher but he wants to focus all his energies on the other four Highers he is coping well with. He hopes to take Higher Apps in S6. His friends say it's actually not too difficult.

Yes, the level 6 unit is at the bottom of the certificate.

My son did both higher maths and apps of maths in S5. He found apps a little easier and much more relevant for everyday life.

DS is looking to teach music as a career and only really needs 4 Highers to do this - Higher English and Music being the main two.

Well done to your DS for passing both Higher Maths and Apps. Gives him lots of options for the future.

Level 6 Numeracy is a stand alone unit that will be internally assessed, so a test they will sit in class. It will appear on the certificate as a unit but not a Higher or Nat 5 if that makes sense?
It will show that they have numerical skills at level 6 (Higher level) but not a Higher in Maths.
Many schools do the same for Level 5 numeracy in S4 too,particularly for those students who have done Nat 4 but couldn’t quite reach the levels of Nat 5 Maths or Apps.