Did I read it here re English GCSE and teaching

[circular]

I've tried to search but cannot find it.

A few weeks back, I am sure someone posted that it is not possible to be accepted for teacher training without an English GCSE from the higher paper.
Does anyone remember the post and/or can clarify this?

I understand at least a C grade English Language is needed for a BEd - but unsure if this would count from the foundation paper?

Also, what about when a degree in the chosen subject is done first, with the teaching qualification after?

[mnistooaddictive]

I don't think there is any way of knowing whether a C is from higher or foundation. There are supposed to be equivalent so I would say this isn't true. Your certificate doesn't say which tier you did and people don't always remember or could easily lie.

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

You need a C in English (and Maths) or the equivalent, for PGCE as well as BEd. I imagine a C from a foundation paper would fulfil the requirement. There is a list of acceptable equivalents somewhere on the TDA website I think.

[emeraldislander]

any teacher training route requires a C in GCSE for English, Maths and Science

[circular]

Understand C in GCSE English & Maths required (Science for ptimary only, unless it's the subject hoping to teach).

Concern is for Yr9 DD who cannot seem to improve her English grade. (KS2 level 5, currently 5a/6c = predicted C grade). There is something wrong, the school cannot see a problem, and we fear she may be end up being forced to take the Foundation paper if she is predicted C. Have posted about it previously in this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/972516-Clash-of-personalities-with-teacher

No problem with ANY other subjects, hoping to start with an English tutor soon.

[webwiz]

I've seen your other thread circular and it does seem odd that your DD hasn't made progress in English. My two DDs were level 5 at the end of KS2 and were comfortably level 7 by the end of year 9 which is closer to where your DD should be not still in level 5 or a the very bottom of level 6.

Hopefully a tutor will be a way to get to the bottom of it.

[circular]

Yes, very odd. If she was bad at all humnanities and MFL it would make more sense. But when it's just most of what comes out in an English lesson, it is very odd inseed.

[circular]

Humanities
Indeed

[iskra]

There isn't a difference between a grade B, say, at foundation level & a grade B at higher level. I did foundation level Maths & got a B - innumerate, me

[Ponders]

is there actually a difference between a foundation level C & a higher level C???

I thought the only difference was that with foundation you can't get higher than C, but with higher you can get up to A*.

A C is a C however you get it, surely?

[iskra]

Yes, it is ponders.

[Ponders]

"How you are assessed

GCSEs are assessed mainly on written exams, although in some subjects there are also elements of coursework. Some subjects, like art and design, have more coursework and fewer exams.
Some GCSE courses are made up of units; for these, you take exams at the end of each unit. Other GCSEs involve exams at the end of course.

For some subjects, everyone sits the same exam. For others, you have a choice of two tiers: 'higher' or 'foundation'. Each tier leads to a different range of grades. Your subject teacher normally decides which tier is best for you.

Exams usually take place in January and May/June.

* Qualifications and exams: a guide for adult learners
* Taking exams: getting organised

Marks
Examiners work out how many 'raw marks' you need to get a certain grade. If you have taken a GCSE made up of units, your results slip may show a points score on the uniform mark scale (UMS). The UMS is a system examiners use to combine different unit marks to get your overall GCSE grade.

Grades
GCSEs are graded A*-G and U (unclassified):

higher tier exams leads to grades A*-D
foundation tier exams leads to grades C-G

The results are published in March and August."

from \link{http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/QualificationsExplained/DG_10039024\direct.gov.uk}

[circular]

Iskra - I'm confused now. Never thought you could get a B (highest C ?) at foundation level.

Ponders - so if the exam is modular, it must be only the last module, presumably an exam taken in May of yr 11 that is different.
DDs teacher said they generally make the decision in Feb of yr11.

I had the impression that it was a similar difference to the old O'level vs CSE, being of that era. You got a separate certificate for them.

Still seems unfair if children predicted C are forced to take an exam where it is not possible to ger any higher though. Once again, league tables coming before childs future.

[iskra]

Yes, I was thinking about it in the shower this morning - I think I must have taken intermediate rather than foundation (if that exists?). Anyway I took something that meant the highest grade I could achieve was a B, & it looks exactly the same on my certificates, UCAS etc as everyone else who took the higher paper.