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Original poster

GSCE's from Year 9...how important is the streaming/set DC is in?

33 replies

InkyNight · 28/04/2024 17:39

DC is in year 8. He'll start his GSCEs in Year 9. Currently, he's streamed in English (second set) and maths (top set).

I was comparing his progress reports from end of Year 7 to the latest cycle in Feb, year 8. He's dropped from mastery in some subjects to strong - including English, although his parents evening report was really nice.

It concerns me that he'll drop sets. Or end up in mediocre sets and be unmotivated/distracted - it doesn't take a lot.

But my main question is: how much do the sets matter to their long term results?

OP posts:
Original poster
InkyNight · 28/04/2024 18:25

At our state school, they make their GSCE choices now, and start in Year 9.

I can't imagine him going into the lower of the 5 sets - he's bright. So, that doesn't worry me. It's more if he slips into the great middle where so many kids misbehave and the others get the short straw

But there's nothing I can do, I guess. He'll get what they think he should get

OP posts:
Muchtoomuchtodo · 28/04/2024 18:11

It’s really important as lower sets often sit foundation papers which limit the top grade that can be achieved, or double instead of triple science.

Having said that, there is no point in your dc being in a set that is not working at the appropriate level for them (whether that’s too high or too low).

mossylog · 28/04/2024 18:05

Ultimately you're probably stressing too much about things that don't matter. Two things matter about school: learning and credentials.

Learning: this is more about the child and what their home life and value of education is than what's going on at the school. Does the flame of curiousity still burn or has it been snuffed out. Plenty of 'top level' students cram for exams and forget everything immediately. For many (most?) student's, it's all just going through the motions.

Credentials: The kid just has to get good enough GCSEs to be able to take A-Levels and this goal is almost impossible not to achieve if he's already in the upper sets.

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 28/04/2024 18:00

The lower maths sets will be sitting the foundation paper where the highest grade you can get is a 5. Higher sets will be sitting the higher paper than goes up to grade 9. I've know students switch up to the higher paper at the beginning of year 11 and managed to more or less catch up but that is very challenging. The key point you need to find out is which sets are sitting which paper.

PollyPut · 28/04/2024 17:46

DementedPanda · 28/04/2024 17:43

Where are you? In the UK they don't start gcse until yr 10. They are in mixed ability classes and depending how well they are doing personally dictates higher or lower exam papers.

Not exactly true. some schools in UK start GCSE in year 9. Or they start the GCSE science and maths syllabus in year 9.

Good point from @Dacadactyl above. How many science GCSEs does the school offer? Is he on track for 2 or 3?

Dacadactyl · 28/04/2024 17:45

DementedPanda · 28/04/2024 17:43

Where are you? In the UK they don't start gcse until yr 10. They are in mixed ability classes and depending how well they are doing personally dictates higher or lower exam papers.

Must depend where in the UK you are. Where we are some schools start prepping for them in year 9.

My kids state school was/is set on ability from year 7.

DementedPanda · 28/04/2024 17:43

Where are you? In the UK they don't start gcse until yr 10. They are in mixed ability classes and depending how well they are doing personally dictates higher or lower exam papers.

Dacadactyl · 28/04/2024 17:42

To me they mattered a lot. The top set had no misbehaving whatsoever and was geared up for the top grades.

In DDs school if you're not top set science, you have to do double, rather than triple award. You're not given the option to do triple unless you're top set.

That being said, some of DDs friends were in lower sets and they still did well enough.

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