Can a bright but laid-back DC get a top grade with so much disruption to teaching time?

[cablinker]

DC (year 11) is fully capable of a suite of top GCSE grades but in one of her subjects she's had 3 different teachers in the last year, and two half-terms of cover. She insists she doesn't need a tutor to fill the gaps and will be "fine" but I'm not so sure. I've bought her a revision guide and will buy more if needed, but she's pretty laid back and I'm worried she'll suddenly realise there are holes in her knowledge when it's too late to do anything. Anyone been in a similar situation and got through it with the right result?

[Comefromaway]

Yes. Dd had some poor science teaching in years 9 & 10. IN Year 11 however a new teacher came in who was very good but the gaps in knowledge became very apparent during mocks. Dd got a Grade 8 in the end but she wasn't laid back. She worked her socks off, I paid for Tassomai and she did hours and hours of self study.

[TeenPlusTwenties]

For clarity, when you say 'top grade' do you mean 7+ or do you mean 9?

[cablinker]

I mean a 9. She got a 9 in her Year 10 exam for this subject, and a mix if 8/9s for other subjects.

[cablinker]

... which is partly why she's complacent I think. But obviously the year 10 exam didn't cover the whole syllabus.

[Michaelahpurple]

Well, one approach would be for you and her to go through the syllabus and her files in detail and see what hasn't yet been covered - not just broad topics but completely.

[Seeline]

I think it partly depends on the subject. A more fact based subject will be more easily boosted with revision guides etc with a bright child. If it's a more subjective subject, where students would benefit from eg discussions in class on topics, or teachers putting across several different arguements, I think it would be harder to just do it with a revision guide.

[malmontar]

Why don't you get her to do some actual past exams at home and she can see how well she'd do? If she does well than I don't see why you'd stress out a child that's managing fine. If she doesn't do well than it'll be a wake-up call.

[Pythonesque]

My impression (daughter got a suite of 9s last year), is that there is quite a lot of nitty-gritty exam technique that at least in some subjects can be key to getting the 8s and 9s. Stuff like understanding the marking criteria, answering a question in a way that doesn't lead to it being restricted to a lower mark band, using the right key words. I would be looking to investigate how best to ensure she has that kind of knowledge as well as the factual and analysis skills. Not sure what the answer is though, it is easily sorted by a good teacher at the end of the year, or a good tutor, or conceivably by the right revision resources. At least some of it should be possible to figure out together by going through the syllabus and mark scheme information in detail. Good luck!

[LoveGrowsWhere]

Is the teaching situation looking stable for the rest of yr11? DS had this but in yr9 (4 teachers) and it did impact but he had a great teacher in yr10 so back on track.

I would get her to use one of the free online revision aids to test if there are any areas that are lacking eg Seneca.

[SansaSnark]

My biggest concern would be the whole syllabus not being covered- with so many teachers, some stuff could have fallen through the gaps. The Year 10 exam may have only tested what they were taught.

I agree with a PP that going through the syllabus with her and looking for any gaps might be a good start.

Could the 9 have been down to generous marking, or do you think that it was a "true" grade 9?

Did she start the GCSE course in Y9, or was last year her first year of GCSE teaching in this subject? And which subject is it?

[StanleySteamer]

Really would help to know what subject it is. Plenty of teachers and ex-teachers (like me!) on this forum to give advice.

You can download syllabi, past papers and mark schemes from the exam board so the first step is to find out what exam board she will be doing. Then you can download and get on with things, would also help any tutor you may employ to know all this. He/she would probably want to know this asap anyway.

[oreomum]

My dd did GCSEs last summer and reckons revision guides (CGP) will get you a 6/7 tops and if you want to get the top grades then you need to rely on other stuff like past papers.

[GymSloth]

I agree that it would help to know the subject.

Also, probably hard to tell, but do you know if the current teacher is now permanent and likely to stay? If so I'd be less worried than if it seemed this teacher is only temporary.

[StanleySteamer]

As @creomum 's dd says, you absolutely have to do past papers which you can down load from the board along with mark schemes to be sure of top grades.