GCSEs HELP!

[Msb75]

My son did his secondary school studies abroad. We are now back in UK and he wants to apply for a course to become auto electrician. To do that he would need 4 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 or equivalent. Now, I don't even know what that means as I too have done my studies abroad. Can anyone clarify for me what should my son do in order to get his GCSEs? Are there any part time or ecourses?

Did he get any qualifications at school abroad? You need to check whether they would count. GCSEs are normally taken at 16.

Does he not have an equivalent qualification that he took before he left school at 16? What qualifications does he have? Local colleges often offer part time courses for adult learners but he may already have a suitable alternative qualification. GCSEs are the exams taken by 16 year olds.

He should be able to convert his overseas qualifications into a UK equivalent, but he will need to explain to the College what he has and which country they are from. GCSEs are our school leaver exams for 15/16 year olds and colleges frequently ask for them to include English & maths. Colleges are currently finalising their enrolments for students who received their GCSE results yesterday. I suggest that he contacts the college directly and works through the enrolment process with them.

In which country was he educated? Some countries don't have a Level 2 GCSE equivalent qualification so you would need to prove that he has attained a certain standard of secondary education depending on which country he studied in.

That means 4 passes. As kids typically take around 10 GCSEs asking for 4 passes is a very low offer.

Ie if your son graduated from high school he will have easily met this requirement. And if he didn’t graduate but has got some qualifications he probably will be OK. He needs to talk to them. They’ll probably be very happy to have him.

No. He did not pass his exam last year. You know, in other country you don't proceed to the next level if your grades are not good. So that's what happened to my son. He didn't pass and as he is not interested in studyin he wants to work and do a course instead

If he failed but not by too much he might’ve also be ok. He needs to talk to them.

A 4 is a very low pass. Really it’s a D. So they’re asking for him to have got a D in half his course.

So let's say he has to get them. What should I do? Enroll him at a normal school or at a college? Would they be able to offer him the 4 subject he needs. Sorry for my ignorance but as I said I too have studied abroad but when I attended college I didn't need any further qualifications as my diploma in accountancy is like A level in UK

Algeria

How old is he?

Thanks. We'll definitely talk to them and see what they can do. I don't want to leave my son in the streets that's why I am trying to boost his confidence and help him to do something that he would like

He is 16

His old is he? Some funding is age dependent.

Does he want to go back to college?

Does the auto thing offer an apprenticeship?

Yes. They do offer apprenticeship. It's a three years course and funding is not the main problem. I am worried about the entry requirement but as many of you suggested we'll get in touch with the college and see what they can do! Thank you very much for your help everyone!

He may need to enrol in college to do a Level 2 electrician (or related course) and at the same time do his maths and English (I wonder if he could do French too if that is your native language?). So do that for a year, then 2 years doing the Level 3 course.

Ideally make an appointment to talk with an enrolment person at the college. take along any evidence of academic ability / attainment you have, and they should be able to guide.

College sounds like the right place for him - not school.

There will be lots of people there with similar grades to him. And the college will offer the GCSEs he needs.

Teenagers are required to be in full time education or in an apprenticeship or traineeship until they are 18. Your local college will be able to find an appropriate course for him, which will then lead into the course he really wants to do. You first step is to get an appointment at the college this week.

Yes, I work in FE and we're doing enrolments over the next few weeks. The best thing is to make an appointment to get advice on the right courses for your DS. They will also arrange the most suitable maths and English courses for him - usually they do a couple of short tests to establish the level.