DSS Failing is GCSEs x3

[Mustardnowletsnotbesilly]

My lovely DSS is 18 and we think failed his Maths and English GCSE for the third time this year - I am obviously being as positive as I can with him, but he seems to think he has failed. He has also been doing a diploma that he wants to make into a higher diploma next year - this would be his 3rd year of college.
His last college chucked him out after his second fail and this college took him on.
I have asked him about next year but he is refusing to tell me so was looking for some advice.
If he has failed again would the college be likely to let him try a 4th time as he will be 18 when starting the year?
Would he be able to do the higher diploma course without his GCSEs.
I want to know the answer to this questions to best help him if he has failed again.
Any info appreciated.

Hello.
Would functional skills, level 2, be acceptable to his college?
[I took functional skills -City and Guilds- maths not long ago as failed my O'level many moons ago]. Check it out as he does not want this to hinder him. I let lack of maths hinder me as fewer options in my day.
Functional skills courses are good. Please check if acceptable to his college.
Good luck..

If it is a level 3 diploma he may well need the English and Maths level 2 to receive the award. These courses are free beyond 18 for those who have not achieved a level 2.

You need to check the entry specification for the higher diploma with the college but if it's a vocational course they will likely accept Functional Skills - they might let him do them alongside the diploma in fact.
Level 2 functional skills in English isn't easy but it does avoid the dreaded inference-style questions and the 19th century extract so it could be a lot better. It's equivalent to a pass at GCSE and is accepted by some universities for some courses. You take the test when you're ready and you can keep retaking if needed. At my college we tend to get them all through level 1 for exam practice and the move on to level 2 the same year. Now he's 18 he can avoid the forced GCSE re-sit.
But fingers crossed for good news on the GCSEs!

Firstly, the college probably had no choice but to chuck him out, as they cannot get funding for someone who isn't progressing.

Yes he is entitled to one more year of sixth form, make it count!

Are functional skills an option instead of GCSEs?

The old style A*-G GCSEs that your son has taken only have limited resit opportunities and June 2017 will the last time these exams are available. So no he won't be able to resit. Hopefully the fact that the candidates are all resitting this Summer (Y11s are taking the new 9-1 GCSEs) will mean that the grade boundaries will be different from previous years and that the mark needed for a grade C will be lower than last year.
As others have said there are level 2 equivalents for GCSEs and this may be the way forward for next year.
I don't think a level 3 qualification can be awarded until they have passed level 2, but this can often be taken side by side. Some colleges don't let you retake both Maths and English though so hopefully he will have passed at least one of them this time round.

Hopefully the fact that the candidates are all resitting this Summer (Y11s are taking the new 9-1 GCSEs) will mean that the grade boundaries will be different from previous years and that the mark needed for a grade C will be lower than last year.

I don't think so because they standardise one year to the next

Thanks for all the advice! He got a 4 in English so can continue at college and do his Maths AGAIN next year!

Mustard that is honestly one of the nicest GCSE updates I've seen since last week. Massive, massive congratulations to your DSS, that is a real result. Now to nail the maths next year - he'll do it!

Fantastic news and forwards for the maths. If you can get a tutor do so or have you already.

great update! Well done to him for persevering, that says a lot about someone.

Hurrah!