To want 9s not 7s for my child in their GCSEs?

I work in a state school. Anyone can get a 9. Not sure what an extended paper is. There's foundation and higher. The exam is the same whether you're in a state or private school.

Yikes.

It totally depends what he’s capable of! It may well be that he’s already working hard and a 7 is the best grade he is capable of. If that’s the case, there’s no point putting additional pressure on him.

Equally though, I don’t agree with the lazy attitude that DC should just aim to pass GCSEs. They should be aiming for the best results they are capable of (whether a 5 or a 9) to maximise their future opportunities and also to see the value of hard work.

If he isn’t doing any revision and is getting 7s, he is clearly capable of 9s with more effort and you would have every right to tell him he needs to work harder.

Yes YABU. It sounds like your child is working hard and they are respectable grades so good for them.

This.

My DD got 12 x grade 9’s in a state school, so your DH is wrong.

You're setting your child up to never feel good enough.

When I was in school a model child took her own life during A levels. I personally would never ever put pressure on my child.

These threads never go well.

you get the braggers whose children got all 9s and the unambitious who don’t think it matters at all.

Children should be encouraged and helped to fulfill their potential, regardless of where that is. Year 6 SATS and the Cats most schools offer at entry give a broad idea of potential.

It is as sad for a potential 9 student to get a 7 as for a potential 7 child to get a 5, and some schools do lack ambition for the higher grades. But that has to be balanced with cocurricular and having free time.

Without knowing the child, there is no easy answer!

EVERYONE shares Grades 7-9, nobody shares the 1-3s or even 4-6s so the higher grades seem more prevelant than they really are.

Absolutely right to strive for the best you can achieve but don't put undue pressure where it's not needed.

6s and 7s are excellent grades. DS went to a High School that only had 34% of kids pass GCSE English and Maths, so honestly I'd have been more than happy and proud as bloody punch with him just passing everything. I was absolutely over the moon with the grades he actually got, all things considered (and he didn't get all 9s).

Nothing wrong with 7's.
If your child has the potential to get all 9's without them getting too stressed and doing nothing but revision for the next 2 months then fine but if not just chill out.
DD got all 9's and its never been a necessity for her to have them. DS will probably get 7's and a couple of 8's and that fine too

DD gained all 8s and one 9 from our local Northern Comprehensive school. She's predicted all As in her A levels so it can't be that bad to not get all 9s. We were happy with those results, but even if we weren't she would never have known.

Let them be proud of what they achieve.

as long as they try their best don’t pressure them to meet an unrealistic expectation

Blimey- don’t pressure the poor kid!

mine went to a average state school - one was a right little shit but got a range from 5 to 9 including 100% on a poetry paper, one was a delight and worked hard gaining 6-9’s and my youngest is sitting them this year and will struggle to get higher than a 6 in one subject and to get 4’s in the others!

its not the end of the world - as long as kids try and work hard just be proud of the effort!

It’s impossible to comment without knowing your child. I have taught children who coasted along with a string of sevens who really should have got nines but were lazy. Mostly boys, if I’m honest. I have taught children who absolutely busted a gut to get 8s/9s when on paper they were expected to get 7s.

YABU to think your dc should get 9s if that is beyond their capacity. You can put too much pressure on a child.

I am an academic who has sat on a number of Mitigating Circumstances Committees, to which university students submit petitions explaining their problems.

If your DC perceives your attitude I think you will be setting them up for profound mental health problems.

All they can do is their best. Striving for top marks motivates some but is highly counterproductive for others. Trust your DC to know by now what works for them.

What does your child want?
Remember who has to do the work here, and then pipe down.
A happy kid with a clutch of 7s is far preferable to a burned out one.
Let them be. Your disappointment will do far more damage than a 7.

The grade boundaries are set each year so you can't definitely say 80% is an I etc.
A 7 is a great achievement anything above that is exceptional. Sixth form and colleges don't require such high marks. Once you have A levels or equivalent they take priority for university placements. Undue pressure is not helpful in my opinion

YANBU for wanting your child to do well. YABU as these aren't your exams. And the most important things is that they get what they need for the next step of their education.

DS is predicted between 7s and 9s.

We talk about working towards Good, Better, Best. So aim for 9’s, with the knowledge that you will be proud of a 7.

But if they are working really hard and getting 6 or 7, then maybe that is their good better best (6,7,8).

you can strive but also be realistic

Please don't pressure them or show you are disappointed with their grades. I've had anxious students shaking and crying before exams because they put themselves (or are being put under) lots of pressure - it's awful. Mine did their best and got the grades needed for college. Job done ✔️

Nothing wrong with aiming as high as possible and stretching yourself.

What does your DC think? Could he/she do better?

Perhaps they’re not 9 material ? It takes more than attendance and good homeworks to be a high achiever.

Is that 6+7’s now or projected?
Your child will attain what they are capable of. You could hire tutors or if you are capable work with them yourself to increase capability.
im not fully up on numbers but isn’t 6 a c+/B- and 7 a B+ /A-. They are not bad grades.