GCSE Maths English keeps failing

[Mickey540]

My son is 17. He has taken his gcse maths and English twice. Failed both times. For maths he had extra tuition (quite a lot)
he got same marks as last year but this time a 2. It doesn’t seem know matter what he does he won’t be able to pass he says he can’t retain the information. I think he must have adhd as his focus concentration is terrible.
he is forced to go through it all again till he’s 18. He can’t do level 3 course without maths. I really am wondering what to do for him . I feel bad he keeps failing and this must be affecting how he feels about himself. To force him again after doing so badly is just defeating the object. Any advice ? Thx

Look at Functional Skills maths; would that be a better option?

Can he do functional skills instead? Equivalent to GCSE 4. I work with apprentices and they perform better with functional skills.

@JustTryingToBeMe yes I didn’t really want him to do that but looks like option. I have messaged college as the course is for 19+ usually so I think he will have to carry on GCSES🙈

@Cantthinkofadifferentname asked the college waiting for reply, not sure if can. The college course says 19+

What does he want to do a level 3 in? My DD has been accepted on level 3 UAL art and design btec without maths, they don’t need maths for any of their courses (which include things like create media and graphic design not just art)

@everynowandthenifallapart electrical and he’s been told has to have . He’s doing level 2 next but can’t get on without maths 🙁

Google functional skills exam centres near me, if you can pay for it

Good luck with your search. My understanding is that anyone from 14+ can do them but Adult Education cannot teach them to someone under 19. I wonder whether colleges get more funding for a GCSE?

I work at an FE college and it’s full of kids like your son. One boy I worked with was almost 19 and retook his maths & English for the 4th time this summer 😭 It’s very unfair to put kids through that. And then they wonder why there’s a record amount of young people who are NEET 🤷‍♀️

@Cantthinkofadifferentname yes I did that and I can pay but I’m sure it was hundreds

@boredwithfoodprob totally. He is really smart but not academic enough and it just doesn’t interest him to add to it. Nightmare

You do need maths skills for electrical, lots of the electrical exams are very maths heavy.

@JustTryingToBeMe yes I don’t know or is just that they have to take GCSEs till 18 before can do functional skills I don’t know 🤷

@Anothermoomin yes I know totally. But he can do formulas etc he passed business with maths in it so will have to see how he goes.

I think anyone would lose motivation to keep on trying. It’s not good for their mental health. My daughter is similar (bit younger) - she’s bright too but dyslexic so there’s a ceiling to her academic ability. It annoys me how people thing that it’s because they’re just not trying hard enough 🙄🙄

@boredwithfoodprob i know I get it
i do wonder if he could have some dyslexia or dyscalia I don’t know. I am going to see about getting him referred For adhd. If he has to redo again he needs the extra time for sure

Oh wow so he he doesn’t even get extra time? He should have been assessed in year 10 but maybe not. ADHD and dyslexia are often present together.

Contact the college and see if they can help him be assessed for dyslexia etc if you actually think he has it.

@boredwithfoodprob no we asked at high school got fobbed off. Then he asked at college but they said too late when he asked so he will have to ask soon as he does go back sept 🙏🙏

Very gently, if he has dyscalculia electrician may not be the best career option. In the same way being colour blind limits some careers.

I failed my maths and English twice, the first time I got a grade E in both. I re-sat them in sixth form and got a D in English and F in maths.

At college we had to take English if we hadn’t passed I really didn’t want to but managed to get an A. I think with me it was because I was a bit older and more mature.

In my final year of college I got the chance to take my maths again and managed to get a C, again i think it was because I was older.

A-C were considered the pass grades then.

@Yourinmyspot thats great. I did wonder if he matures would it be any easier although I just don’t know.

@Anothermoomin yes I know my other son is doing level 3 ( they are twins) so he will see how hard it is from maths side and whether he could do it. On saying that he has to get this maths to do it and maybe not possible 🤷

It must be really hard watching him go through this, especially after putting in so much effort already. I’d try to focus less on the grade for now and more on finding out why he’s struggling to retain things. If you suspect ADHD, it may be worth speaking to the GP or school about an assessment and extra support rather than simply repeating the same approach.

Really feel for your DS. One of my DC will be resitting for the 4th time in November. They have been so close to 4 each time.

I have looked into it and colleges are funded for the GCSE, they cannot offer the functional skill options.

It’s so demoralising for them, DC has always hated English and struggled with this subject.