A levels without GCSEs

There shouldn't be a problem with that. Though like others i'd recommend gcse english.

I did Nuffield Maths and Further Maths A levels which I'd strongly recommend as an exam board and curriculum. I think it's run by someone else now. 

Another niche 'hands on' techy job is building management - looking after all the systems in large office buildings like heating and ventilation (HVAC), plumbing, boilers, electrical distribution, lighting, doors and windows etc. .    There's typically a maintenance planning and control program that schedules the work and this creates the paperwork for the contractors to work to and a team of guys doing the basics like cleaning.   Getting into the programming side is quite rewarding and is often a nice quiet job that someone can excel at and have satisfaction of complete control..   You become the hub for all the contractors and workers to be directed from and for the company occupying the building to come to you with issues.

Off the record, it;s a great job for freebies and perks from contract companies at annual renewal time........

It's great because no two days are ever the same.

Another niche programming area is ERP systems - basically like a stock control system for manufacturing that drives and keeps track of the manufacturing process - from raw material in to finished item out - it measures the efficiency of the workers, keeps a check on the wear of their tools, overseas the SCADA system controlling the machines, liaises with suppliers for inventory and produces instant management reports.    The challenge for the programmer is to get it all synchronised so the production line is like watching a ballet.     Think how complex these systems are in a global manufacturer like Ford.

I've installed a couple from scratch in 2 companies.

there apprenticeships now as well in programming within civil service plus other places where he can code and earn. I have a nephew doing an apprenticeship and he loves it because he can work, earn money, and learn. So soon as he gets his  A levels look them up as well.

look up your nearest further education establishment  and search their site for the A levels he needs. So he is close by. 

Contact nearby schools especially high schools they could take him on as a pupil because he is still under 18. 

That sounds great, thank you Plastic, I'll suggest it to him. He's currently doing some coding for a local IT company, remotely, as work experience, while he studies, which is a start. So I'll let him know what you said and go from there

He's going to struggle with work if he can't cope with the commitment and discipline of a school environment - almost all of the people who want to code don't realise that coding is a tiny part of the job - there's all the planning meetings, documentation, testing and living with office politics and rubbish management pushing stupid deadlines to please the customer and upper management - it's not necessarily a job he will be capable of surviving.

I would suggest he looks at himself and his capabilities and think carefully about the life he wants to live - what alternatives to toxic work environments can he see himself in?.   

I've picked up many skills over the years and I spotted an niche in SCADA systems and PLC programming - these are control systems for factories - controlling robots and conveyor systems - it seems to be an area no-one considers.   Let him spend some time googling it and see if it lights his candle - it's very 'real' making big things move!

If it's interesting for him, he can probably get an apprenticeship in a company in that field.

You can also buy 'Smart Switches' which are a step above Lego automation for programming and they are used in industry to control small systems like ventilation or lighting - you can get one from ebay to play with for a few pounds - make sure you can get the programming software from the manufacturer - it's normally a free download    I liked the Moeller ones but the Siemens is more popular in the field.

What would you suggest?

Yes, thanks Rob, it is an insane world :) I shall try to encourage the M&E GCSEs and see where I get

The main reason for getting a GCSE in maths is that maths and English GCSEs are a common requirement as an entrance to many educational and professional organizations.

Many  of these places are inflexible and bureaucratic. You can try reasoning with them, that maths A level is superior to maths GCSE.  But rules are rules! You need GCSE maths.  Remember it's an insane world.

I've started that process today by looking online, but there are so many that I thought I'd post the question here first in case anyone has experience of it already. EdXcel seem to be good, but I'll take a look at your suggestions too thanks Aidie

He just wants to code so even though he likes the idea of university qualifications, he doesn't like the idea of it taking 3/4 years. He just wants to work

What is he looking to do afterwards?    Uni or employment?    And does he think he will survive in a 9-5 office environment?    With only A-levels, he'll be in fairly junior positions watching new-start uni grads being promoted over him for ever.

the further education colleges  should do it ...... have you emailed any of the  exam boards eg AQA CCEA  SQA WQA

He seems to be quite good at both. But probably prefers applied as well. He learns best by creating his own simulations of things so he can understand every aspect. He would prefer online learning 

He should be doing his GCSEs this summer, but he is disillusioned with the education system because of previous experience, so he just wants to get the bare minimum quals he needs that would help him get a job. He feels confident having aced every past paper at GCSE level, that if he is able to do the same with past A level papers then there's no need for him to bother with the GCSE.

The jump from GCSE to A level maths is quite a step - also, some areas do separate Pure and Applied, some lump them together - do you know where his strengths are?       Pure is all solving equations, applied is solving real-world problems - I preferred applied-  it was more relatable.

I couldn't tell you about computer science - I'm not familiar with the current course content.

Is this likely to be distance learning, school or college based?   

Good question.

I suspect that conventional schools would say no to the maths.  But would allow the computer science.

The big question is, why hasn't he got GCSE maths?  If he's good enough to do the A level, them he should breeze through the GCSE exam.