GCSEs

catz1ct

I think working is quite an education. I learnt a lot of things from my job even though its all pointless now as I am loosing it. I don't think you need exams just to prove you can do something.

marshallka

ferien_uk wrote: »

ICS Learn do Maths GCSE, although it will cost you about £250.

If the OP is actually receiving benefits then would they have to pay for this anyway?

I did a retake of my english as I failed it (O level) but went back to school to do it. My dad was ill at the time of my exams but even when i went back i failed again:o. Got a good job though in accountancy after leaving school.:rotfl:

marshallka

catz1ct wrote: »

I think working is quite an education. I learnt a lot of things from my job even though its all pointless now as I am loosing it. I don't think you need exams just to prove you can do something.

Ah Ah, the university of "life".

Magnolia

Let me tell you a story - are you sitting comfortable - this might take some time.

4 years ago I met a young man who had been traumatised by persistent and brutal bullying whist at school - throwing up in the mornings at the thought of going to school sort of thing. He never spoke during his first year at college and was always on his own during lunch and breaks. The other kids left him alone as they knew we were watching and so were others (students) who knew what he had been through.

He left us and 6 months later he re-appeared on E2E - bit of a wild bunch but fiercely protective of my young mate. After a year and a half of that he came to work in our office doing a work based learning NVQ2 in Customer Service (still with no qualifications but .... thats another issue). The first time I said to answer the phone I thought he was going to be sick!! He went pale and sweat just poured out off him. Anyway 9 months down the line he was able to answer the phone and approach visitors to the office - my mate was improving although he still never spoke to any of us unless we spoke first. The first time he retorted back at me made me feel soooooo proud!! He told me 'get lost' to something I was ribbing him over.

Anyways lets move on - he had no GCSE's as he had missed so much of the lessons and course work so this NVQ2 was going to be his first qualification. As he approached the end of it we started to encourage him to apply for jobs. All of them asked for level 2 literacy and numeracy. My young mate was convinced that he was unable to do it as he was always told he was thick by his bullies.

He finished his NVQ so now had the equivalent of 3 GCSE's but still the elusive level 2 literacy and numeracy were missing. I knew he was good at English as he constantly corrected my spellings :rolleyes:

With a little encouragement he signed up for C&G literacy in a tutor led group and scored 38 out of 40 in the exam - result - fueled by this success he signed up for the numeracy and sailed through that as well - we were all so proud of him:T

Through out this time he applied for jobs but got nowhere - where is he now? He is working in the college library having filled all the qualification criteria at last.

Why have I told you this story? Not really sure myself - maybe it is to compound the importance of that elusive level 2 standard of basic skills. Maybe it is for the folks who had a desperate time in school and to give them some hope that they can succeed

An employer wants to know that the person is of a standard to enhance his business. While I agree that experience is important it is also important to have a good standard of education.

OP - sign up for that C&G literacy and you will find you won't have to fight quite so hard next time.

Phew - story time over - you can all go out and play

456789

thanks for that Magnolia

catz1ct

Magnolia wrote: »

OP - sign up for that C&G literacy and you will find you won't have to fight quite so hard next time.

Thanks for your story as it was quite interesting. I don't mean to be rude but I don't think I need to do that. I did a lot of education after leaving school, just none of it involved maths really.

Magnolia

catz1ct wrote: »

Thanks for your story as it was quite interesting. I don't mean to be rude but I don't think I need to do that. I did a lot of education after leaving school, just none of it involved maths really.

You are not rude at all - everyone has his or her choice but one thing I do know - when push comes to shove then the one who ticks all the boxes will often win

Oldernotwiser

catz1ct wrote: »

I think working is quite an education. I learnt a lot of things from my job even though its all pointless now as I am loosing it. I don't think you need exams just to prove you can do something.

That is, of course, your choice but you seem to be finding that others don't agree with you and it's these people who have the power to offer you the jobs you want!

It's always worth while filling in the gaps in your education and this is why the government fund the C&G Literacy and Numeracy courses. Nobody forces anyone to do them though.