What happens to kids who don't get any GCSEs - experiences appreciated

[Lupinsarefab2015]

DS has special needs and is in year 10 at a mainstream school. He is not statemented. He is very behind academically, level 2/3 for maths/english.

I'm worried sick about his future and have had numerous conversations with school about what his options will be if he fails all his GCSEs. They are non-commital, saying oh he'll be ok, he tries hard etc etc, but that doesn't really help.

He can't be the only child in this position - so I'd appreciate some happy ending stories please. I thought most colleges and 6th forms needed at least maths and english GCSEs to get in.

as others have said, does he have any interests which could be developed? for example with my DD it was the horses that grabbed her, and she is now doing Equine Studies on a work based diploma (with opportunity to resit Eng and Maths as I said before).

OP.

I only have a level 2 Literacy and numeracy, in fact no GCSE's or A levels.
However I do have a HND Distinction, B.A Hons 2:1, PgCE, and M.A cert plus more and an exceptionally low IQ.

There are no limits to you reaching your potential when you find the suitable route into further education.

Please don't worry, just visit local colleges and speak to inclusive learning.

wonders if OP will come back?

I've met a couple of young people who had graduated from a top 10 university and were working as in one case a cleaner and in the other a canteen assistant. Masses of graduates are not getting any kind of work, or only work that in no way makes use of their qualifications. So in a sense not getting qualifications doesn't make that much of a difference these days, and he won't have wasted all that money on getting higher qualifications.
I would focus on maths and English, maybe if possible getting extra help with that, and on finding out what kind of work he is likely to be good at and enjoy, and look into apprenticeship or something he can learn on the job.

Wow, thanks so much for all your reponses, I'll have a good read when I've got more time and come back to this. Very positive though which has given me a boost.

You are welcome Lupin, we are all out there on this forum, you know MN is not all wall to wall A stars and RG unis

DS1 is at college studying catering - he needed D in English and Maths to get on his course (NVQ L1). He actually got C in maths but Es in English, but they still took him.

His back-up place was a similar but easier course at another college for which he needed Gs in maths and English, so there may be courses to suit yr DS. When you say fail, do you simply mean not get any Cs? DS only got 2 Cs but he still passed 8 GCSEs. Would yr DS get Gs/Fs? What do his teachers say?

Should add that if you don't get C you have to keep working/retaking. DS is continuing with English at college.

There is hope OP. My DB finished school with only GCSE English. He got a job as a clerk in local government and has been there for 25 years. He's loved by visitors to his department as he remembers their file numbers just by glancing at their faces, pulling out the files before the computer can retrieve them. He was assessed back in the day by a very astute advisor, who said this sort of repetitive clerical work would suit him well (he has suspected, but never diagnosed autism due to my parents living in denial).

Lupin
I'm sure that Naice fee paying Truro school will never forgive me,
but here is a link about a kid who failed to get his English GCSE at 16
but seemed to do OK ...
www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/13874219.Teacher_visit_for_Olympic_legend_brings_memories_of_prediction_flooding_back/

The school should be providing support, but if he doesn't get any A*-C grades he could obviously get an apprenticeship or traineeship.