Maths A Level - with a Grade 7 at GCSE?

[bigdealdaisy]

Discussion with DS's maths teacher last night re GCSE and potential to do A level maths. DS in the third set of a four set cohort and is currently predicted a 7 and his teahcer feels an 8 is well within his grasp if he continues as he is. DS was considering maths A-level and put this to his teacher who said 'not with a grade 7 and not from set three UNLESS you really nail algebra AND you get a grade 8'.

I'm obviously paraphrasing and the teacher is nothing but encouraging. DS does like maths and he definitely has some aptitude for it but he is able rather than a high flyer plus immature relative to his peer group although he has has a good start to Year 11.

Any thoughts? From teachers or parents? Or students?

DD’s school have just done a monster algebra test for all A level Maths students - those who don’t cope will be encouraged to drop.

That's true, DadDadDad but I think it's less of a factor now than it used to be. Most kids only take 3 subjects now so after the first few weeks of Y12, they can't switch to another subject, where they used to take 4 and drop one after AS.

I've seen Y13 students really struggling this last couple of years (and get E/U in the end) and be desperate to drop it, but can't because it would only leave them with 2 subjects. It's a bit of a nightmare that they are locked into. Kids need to be warned upfront that it will be difficult for them.

My DS got an 8 at maths GCSE (with private tuition) and really wanted to do A level maths ... it was a struggle, we paid for two full years of private tuition and he got a C. Fortunately he got into his first choice Uni but it was very hard work.

My son got an A* in Maths and ended up dropping A level maths as it was taking him so much time to grasp things which others were getting more easily. For context this was one of 4 A levels he started so had he only being doing 3 the extra effort would not have been such a thing. He dropped it with agreement from the school as they thought the effort he was putting into maths could have compromised the other subjects ( but again Maths was one of 4 not 3 ) - Just to say , in this instance getting a good result at GCSE did not translate into finding A level maths at all easy.

DS got a 9 at GCSE entirely due to a class of only 24, amazing teaching and phenomenally hard work. He would not have managed above a C at A level, if that.

He needs to think ahead to potential university choices. If he has ambitions to take a course that might require A grades, then he shouldn’t take maths. If he’s working at 7 at GCSE, he’s probably looking at a B at A Level, even a C. And it will be difficult.

Yes, university plans are important. My nephew decided against taking maths, but ended up studying computer science after going through clearing. He was limited in his choices, as most wanted A level maths.

In his case, even a grade C in maths would have widened his choices.

Mind you, he's loving his course now.

I would have thought comp sci was impossible without maths or a foundation course.

He had science A Levels, but he had about 3 choices in the end (this was last year), so there are a few out there. He lost his dad the week before his exams, so it was a crap time, but he found a perfect course in the end.

My DD got an 8 at GCSE and is doing A level maths. OMG it is very very hard, I can understand why the school are saying this. My DD is really rising to the challenge though. I think the thing is that a child doing maths is up against academic children, maths is needed for the more academic degrees. I suspect you don't see anyone doing maths, drama and art for example. Therefore surely it is that much harder to get a high grade because you're up against high achievers.

You can always consider extra tutoring in maths to help your DS solidify the maths concepts he needs to do maths at A level. Which he’d need if he wants to study even nonmaths subjects like computer science or economics at a U.K. university.

Actually it’s not harder to get an A grade because kids who are good at maths take it and do well in it. The highest number of A/A* grades at A level in 2019 were awarded for Further Maths. Maths is in the top 10.

If you want maths at university, many won’t care if you have drama and art. They don’t get the top grades as much as maths! They are not easy either. Universities will only care about your maths but some will expect FM. Plenty don’t though so you certainly can enjoy arts subjects as well as being very good at maths!

This is such an interesting read. His other subjects are likely to be from Art/DT/Geography/physics. I think Maths complements all subjects because it’s so universal in its application. But he hasn’t a clue about post A-level. He really is a late developer - he had learning support and speech therapy for most of his time in infants and into year 3.
DH and I both read Maths at uni so we could support him with A -level and do support him but I don’t think that’s a good place to start from.
@noblegiraffe everything you say makes complete sense and echoes the points made by his current teacher.
A shame really - we need a ‘Post 16 maths for the sake of it’ option.

There is Core Maths for those who don't want to take A-level. It's equivalent to an AS taken over 2 years, designed to be taken alongside 3 subjects and it's much more practical maths than A-level. Very little algebra, more finance, statistics and problem solving.

It's good for kids who are doing sciences or social sciences. Is it an option?

Ah thanks @noblegiraffe we will investigate. The Sixth Form prospectus doesn’t mention it but it’s something to ask.

I think oddly enough his Pure Maths is stronger than his Applied at this stage. We’re going to look at some past papers with him this weekend and go from there. He doesn’t know this yet.

Both our local grammar and our local comp you need an 8 in maths to do it at A level.

8 is a bit extreme I think. That will cut out a lot of kids who would get good results and need it for uni.

Definitely not happy at 6s taking it though, unless exceptional circumstances.

Have only skimmed so apologies if anyone has made this point - if he didn’t want to move up a set because of the change in pace, he needs to consider the reality of taking a subject surrounded by other students who have high GCSE grades in the subject, that he is going to find hard and need to work at (not impossible, but certainly not easy), and that the pace is likely to be quite strident.

My son did Maths on last year before new 1-9 GCSE levels. He got A* in old system and still found Maths really hard. He told me he had to spend twice as much time keeping on top of Maths as ICT, Psychology or his Business Studies. In the end he came out with a C grade at A level missing the B by 3 marks. He did fine on Core 1, 2 and 3 and on Stats and mechanics but could not get his head around core 4 taught last so not much time to consolidate.

Yes another school here who asks for 8s for Maths and Sciences.

DS had eight 9s two 8s and a 7. (9 for Maths) . Started it as a 4th A level and dropped it the October half term of y12 as he realised he didn't need it for his degree and he was spending a disproportionate amount of time on his maths to the detriment of his other subjects. He got 3 x A* at A level. The step up is tough if you truly don't have a natural aptitude for it or love it (which he didn't).

Well this thread is making me consider a tutor for my dd 😁 but you have got to have faith!