2 kids with very different GCSE results

[lljkk]

Yr11-DD works socks off, may get all 9s in August.
Yr9-DS clings furiously to any excuse to avoid study, so does almost no revision, likely to get a C on his lone GCSE in August. Could even slip to D or worse.

Results day, DD will be thrilled, at best DS might be indifferent. Anyone had a similar situation? I'd like some ideas to plan for smoothing things over in case DS gets tearful or angry.

We don't make a huge fuss over their results, btw. So that's not part a potential problem.

[Phosphorus]

It's not really a level playing field, as children nature so much between year 9 and year 11.

Is it worth the younger one sitting this year at all?

I'd just tell them that the year 9 exam can be taken again when they are in a more studious phase.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

I've got one doing A-levels and one doing GCSEs this summer. The younger one is quite a lot more able and has put in much more work. The results are likely to be at opposite ends of the scale.

We're focusing on their individual targets of getting what they need in order to move on to the next stage of their education (thankfully achievable for both).

Luckily the more modest achiever will get his results first, so we can congratulate him and celebrate with him for a week without any comparisons being made by friends/relatives.

We're focusing on

[lljkk]

Really I just am not sure how to handle the moment on Results Day if DD is jumping around squealing happy with friends I don't want DS to feel bad if he just has a single boring C (or worse).

ICT GCSE is being phased out so there truly is no way to sit it later not that I would ask school feels outrageously entitled ... gosh, he needs to get it over with, really, he'd be horrified at thought of this ordeal lasting longer. Maybe that's the angle. "At least it's done now and the result will be whatever it's going to be."

I made zero effort in school before I was 3m older than DS is now. Not sure if DS will be like me or just always struggle. Has much improved, but is our difficult may-never-leave-home kid.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

We're just focusing once. 😂

[TeenTimesTwo]

Will the y9 actually get his results on results day?

When DD1 did her half RE in y10 she didn't know the results until she went back to school.

the school won't want y9s turning up to collect I wouldn't have thought.

As you seem to be saying this is partly due to DS not working, could you go with well, it is only 1 GCSE and it was a bit of a practice really. Now you understand you'll have to work harder for the y11 exams.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

As TeenPlusTwo says, the Y9s may not be collecting their results at the same time. Even if they're collecting them on the same day, it might be later in the day when the school has had a chance to sort out the Y11s.

DS1 did a GCSE paper in Y10; he just waited until the beginning of the autumn term to collect his result. If your DS foes the same, then results day could be for focusing on your DD and her achievements.

[lljkk]

good point, might be different times, that would make things much better!

I don't think DS is capable of being motivated to work harder by a disappointing grade. He either likes something (math) or doesn't (most other subjects). As long as DS moves out & is independent sooner rather than later I'll be fine whatever his results.

Someone at work has a 30yo son at home & is conniving how to turf the chick out of the nest.

[BarbarianMum]

If your ds is adamantly refusing to work, does it really matter if he feels "bad" if he gets mediocre results? I hope you are not going to sideline your dd's achievements to preserve his ego.

[MarchingFrogs]

Unfortunately, a GCSE taken early still has to be declared on his UCAS application if he wants to go to university and the grade is what it is, however early it was taken (that is, no 'allowance' for having taken the exam at 14 instead of 16). That may not be a motivating factor, either, but it is probably something he should be aware of. Poor showing of the school not to say something about this, really.

[jeanne16]

I would rapidly withdraw him from the gcse. There is absolutely no reason to be doing one in y9. It is far better to do them all in y11. Also the old ICT gcse is a nonsense course, so it is not worth having.

[sonnyboo]

I agree. I'd withdraw him from taking the Ict GCSE this year and enter him to take the much more respected Computer Science GCSE in two years.

[RolyRocks]

I would rapidly withdraw him from the gcse. There is absolutely no reason to be doing one in y9.

Technically there is a reason, as this is the last year for the GCSE in ICT - probably why the school is getting the Year 9s to sit it, randomly. He won't be able to sit the GCSE ever again. Not in Year 10 and not in Year 11.

Also the old ICT gcse is a nonsense course, so it is not worth having.
Sigh. That's your opinion but it is still a GCSE qualification.

[RolyRocks]

enter him to take the much more respected Computer Science GCSE in two years.

If he is struggling with the GCSE in ICT (according to some, a 'nonsense' course), then there is really very little chance he would succeed with the GCSE in Computer Science - even in two years.

[oldbirdy]

People on here are weird sometimes. So he gets a c or d in computing. That isn't going to ruin his life! Why on earth would you withdraw him to 'protect' him from a possibly not A or B gcse? The boy isn't motivated. He probably won't be motivated at 'real' GCSE time either. People manage to live a successful life with a C grade GCSE to their name!
I think the days of loads of kids getting 10 A star GCSEs are behind us.

If his sister does well, then he has the proof that if you work very hard (and are 2 years older) you can do well in exams.

My son is about to take his GCSEs. I am praying he'll pass 6. It's highly doubtful that he will pass English and obviously he'll have to retake. Though he's good at maths and science, I very much doubt he'll get any grade 9s. He is still a great kid, and yes he won't be going to Oxbridge but he isn't cut out for that anyway. If he goes to uni at all it'll be a redbrick and probably local. Since he has no ambitions to be a nuclear physicist or brain surgeon that doesn't matter.

[sonnyboo]

If he is struggling with the GCSE in ICT

According to the op he is not willing to work for it. That's different than finding something difficult imo

I

[Foxglovesandprimroses]

Your son sounds just like mine Oldbirdy. The last few years have been a very steep learning curve for me in adjusting lowering expectations.

[goodbyestranger]

It's not the same situation as twins or DC in consecutive years doing full GCSEs, so I wouldn't be comparing.

Mine inevitably compare themselves to their seven siblings which isn't great (but is natural - same school) but fortunately the outcomes have been broadly similar.

I think your problem may come in a couple of years if your DS is still doggedly determined not to put any legwork in. From that perspective, quite useful to have a high achieving sibling. I think that helps pull the younger ones on quite a bit.

[WinnersClub]

Oldbirdy Love your post.

[lljkk]

ha! DS will take computing GCSE, exams end of yr10. Which is fine. His ICT skills have come on a lot. He chose ICT (not randomly put there... plus he didn't want to be organised for catering or creative for Drama).

You guys reminded me that DS has gained a lot from doing the ICT syllabus, regardless of the grade. His MS office skills were truly awful last year.

I read Computing GCSE isn't really programming any more which is shame coz DS likes problem-solving. Does need to do a GCSE in yr10 & doesn't have a better choice.

I hope DS aspires to Uni but he has to choose that by putting in the work. We shall see. Like lots of people he's perfectly capable of getting irrationally upset over something he default chose & making life miserable for folk around him. That's the potential stress I'm trying to figure out how to deal with.

[oldbirdy]

Lljkk
DS is doing computing, new 9-1 grades. There are 2 papers, first is programming. Second is sort of "applications" and "environmental considerations" etc.
I don't know what was in the old GCSE your DS is taking but he need not declare it if he doesn't pass anyway.

[sonnyboo]

Why not wait until end of year 11?

[oldbirdy]

sonnyboo
OP explains that this is the last year of offering this particular GCSE so it's now or never.

[lljkk]

Thanks for that info, Oldbirdy.

DC school plans them to complete one GCSE in each of yr9 & yr10.I am fine about this even if result = C or worse. My problem is his possible emotions not his grades.

[sonnyboo]

I understood the op's ds to take ICT GCSE in year 9 and Computer Science GCSE in year 10?!

The latter could be taken in year 11 in that case.