Is spelling marked at GCSE level?

[BringBack1996]

My DS is in year 11 and doing his GCSEs this summer. He's working really hard and should do well. However I've just realised his spelling is atrocious! Is it possible to get penalised for bad spelling and, if so, how many marks would be awarded for it? Another question is that if it is the case that he could potentially lose marks for something as little as spelling how can I help him improve it? At 15 I doubt he would appriciate my help but even so I would like him to have every oppourtunity at doing well even if he won't accept it!

[ClaireAll]

There are certain questions that are assessed for spelling, punctuation and grammar.

I think it is only in certain subjects. English and RS springs to mind for some reason.

[Rezolution]

In English GCSE the Writing Paper has a certain number of marks given for spelling, punctuation and grammar.

[DebiTheScot]

In science (AQA) there's 1 Q per paper where there is 1 QWC (quality of written communication) mark. Sometimes it's for spelling & grammar but sometimes for use of key words or writing a method in a logical order.
The rest of it doesn't matter as long as the examiner is 100% sure of what word they mean.

[IndigoBell]

You could try stareway to spelling

It gets children to memorise the 300 most commonly used words, which apparently make up 75% of text.

[luckylavender]

So he will already have done lots of modules etc. How have you only just realised that his spelling is atrocious?

[BringBack1996]

The only thing he's done modules for is maths, all of his other courses are linear. And the reason I've only just noticed is that he did some work downstairs the other day for the first time in about three years so I saw it when he left it there. TBH that's the first time in about as long that I've seen his work that hasn't been word processed (obviously with spell checker). Given that he's in year 11 I don't think it's that unusual to have not noticed.
Another query in that case is whether it's unusual to have not done many exams by now. Should he have done more than he has?

[luckylavender]

Well my son is in Year 11 doing 2 x English, Maths, French, 3 x Science, Further Science, Geography and PE / Sports Science. All subjects modular except Maths where he is doing linear and modular as an experiment. I reckon he has done over 30 bits of work / modules towards exams by now and I am being conservative. I know that his class had a spelling and grammar test in PE this week as it counts as 5% of the marks.

[BringBack1996]

Wow, is that including coursework? DS has done his controlled assessments but nothing to that level. The only formal exams he has had is two modules of maths in year ten. Is that very unusual?

[BeingFluffy]

OP - as the exams start mid May it is probably too late to do much about the spelling. As far as I am aware the only exam he might be penalised in is English but just by a few marks. Depending on the subjects he is doing I would check that he is able to spell the names of the chemicals, technical terms or historical names and places for example. If the school hasn't flagged it up at PT evening/reports I wouldn't be too worried.

As for exams done already - my DD has just done 1 exam each in the 3 sciences as well as practicals (ISAs). She has done some controlled assessments for English and 1 for history and ongoing work for art and I-Media - all the rest will be examined in the next few weeks. Nothing like 30 exams.

Sounds like the school isn't very good at communications - maybe try and keep a closer eye on what is going on if he is going to 6th form at the same school.

[BringBack1996]

Thanks for that, hopefully we've nothing to worry about!

[Kez100]

Gosh,yes.

My daughter has already completed a lot. She has about 10 exams.