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Original poster

DD didn't get GCSE options

135 replies

El24 · 24/04/2012 10:05

Just found out from DD that she didn't get her GCSE choices despite currently being in the top set for the chosen subject. She wants to be a doctor and having the triple science option is key to her future ? this has been confirmed by several F.E colleges. I also found out someone who isn't in the top set got in. To say we are deeply disappointed is an understatement. I've already called up the school and been fobbed off. Is there anything we can do?

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
titchy · 25/04/2012 12:58

9 GCSEs is fine. If she gets mainly A and does the right A Levels, gets A/A in 4 x ASs and predicted A/A* for A2, not having triple science at GCSE won't disadvantage her.

LittleFrieda · 25/04/2012 12:57

It actually isn't necessary to do triple science in order to read medicine. They make no stipulations about GCSEs other than they are to include maths and english (and at UCL you must also have a GCSE in a MFL).

My son did dual award science then went on to do biology and chemistry A levels and he's now in his first year at med school.

Kez100 · 25/04/2012 12:50

If she had been able to do triple she would have had :

English Lit, English Lang, Triple Science, Maths, RE and 3 GCSE options

....still 10.

Kez100 · 25/04/2012 12:49

Good (re: levels)

I can't see how she will have less GCSEs. Does triple not take up an option block?

My average ability daughter, with double science, is sitting 10: English Lit, English Lang, Double Science, Maths, RE and 4 GCSE options

Original poster
El24 · 25/04/2012 12:43

Yes, her reports from Yr8 and this year.

Without the triple sciences, she'll be leaving school with only nine GCSEs, which can be pretty damning for competitive A Levels.

My daughter isn't the only one who was left disappointed, I just wish the school would split the groups into two making separate sets of 18 each. Or at least give some positive advice on how to get them externally.

OP posts:
Kez100 · 25/04/2012 12:26

In terms of your daughters personal situation, I agree, although you say pretty much guaranteed, which isn't the same as guaranteed. It is very important to find out what is going on if she really wants to do triple. Do you have actual written reports showing she is definitely and overall level 6+, for use when referring to her ability?

Original poster
El24 · 25/04/2012 12:10

No, it's not a case of thinking she is more worthy. It's just at the Parent's Eve, we were told those in the top set were pretty much guaranteed a space in triple sciences. If the school were concerned about her progress, surely they should have contacted me beforehand to see how to get her back to speed?

I've since spoken to the exam board and was told I can ask for a review and if not happy, can take it to the education department if I feel my DD is being discriminated against.

What I am struggling with is the dismissive approach of the school. I get you had more applicants than spaces, but what I don't get is the unwillingness to find alternative means to get the ts, even if it is at the expense of the parent.

OP posts:
Kez100 · 25/04/2012 11:44

I agree the other child has no bearing on your daughters situation but it was you who made it so - by saying someone in a lower set had a place and implying your daughter was more worthy. I just did not want you mentioning it in the school, as you have repeatedly on here, without realising what you might be getting yourself into.

My sons set - (set 4 out of 6 at bog standard comp) covers all the work of set 1 and differentiates for the abilities in the class. He is level 7 and has been offered triple science, although has chosen not to take it as he wants to do History instead.

NarkedPuffin · 25/04/2012 08:57

I don't think it is Ebac or triple. I think that, in the OP's DD's case, by refusing her permission to do triple science it has left a gap for her to do another GCSE option, which just happens to be one that ticks the last box needed for her to get the Ebac.

outtolunchagain · 25/04/2012 08:48

At my ds school everyone does the Ebac ,have since time immemorial ,the only get out might be from the language element .If you do triple science you then you just choose the third part as one of tour options .My ds did double because he knew he wanted to do humanities at A level and so wanted an extra choice .
Don't understand why they do Ebacc or triple

Guadalupe · 25/04/2012 08:40

I'd speak to the head if you're not getting answers from the science dept. It sounds very vague.

Our school are absolutely clear and reasonable. Lots want to do triple science and have been kindly told no because they wouldn't keep up. Bordeline cases depend on exam results and behaviour/effort.

Guadalupe · 25/04/2012 08:36

It is certainly possible in our school for a child in a lower set to achieve a higher mark. Ds in in the middle set and got higher marks than his two friends in the top. They all took the same exam. There's a bit of crossover with the top of middle set and bottom of top set I think.

If your dd is working consistently at 7/6a then it does seem unfair and head of science saying her marks are not enough doesn't make sense. Did he say all the others were working higher than her?

Could it be the chatting might be more of a problem than you thought? There's chatting to your friend isn't there, and then there's chatting so much that it disrupts the lesson?

GrimmaTheNome · 25/04/2012 08:26

Why on earth is it triple science OR ebacc? Confused Surely a school should be able to timetable to include the ebacc subjects with triple science - Eng lit/eng lang, maths, language, hist/geog is 5 subjects so adding 3xscience is 8 .

Fraktal · 25/04/2012 08:23

Are there enough students who want to do triple that together you could pressure the school for an extra set at triple?

LeeCoakley · 25/04/2012 08:18

I'd love to know what the 'EB programme' is. Triple science should have no bearing on the subjects that make up the EB. Ok, if you have 4 choices, EB take up 2 and the triple could take up 1, you only have one real 'choice' but EB or Triple is not an either/or option. School sound odd to me.

Northernlurker · 25/04/2012 08:17

It seems to me that the school are closing down options for your dd and I would resent that. Stretch everything to find somewhere else for her! Dd1's school offers both combined and triple and the teacher makes the choice but she was clear at Parents Evening that it was to some extent negotiable. I am confident that were my dd in your dd's situation our school would not want to close down her optiosn as our school are doing.
At the very least I would push the school on the A-level question. You really want them to agree that assuming dd does well on double award they will accept her on to A-level and will ensure she has the grounding needed.

Original poster
El24 · 25/04/2012 08:04

Don't get me wrong, the child in the lower set could have got a high grade, but i don't see how that is possible. The work given in different sets vary meaning a child shouldn't be able to get a higher grade if they are doing easier work in the first place.

I guess the other child isn't really an issue here, but as another MNer kindly pointed out, any student with at least a L6 is entitled to do the triple science option. The school is making no provision to fulfill this at all. had the HOD said, okay, we're full, but we can do x, y, z to help your child do them in her own time, I would have been happy. But to close the door and then tell me you would be reluctant to take a child at A Level who hadn't gone down that route is unfair.

OP posts:
Yellowtip · 25/04/2012 07:41

Yes I saw that gelatinous (not in a position to add wisdom!), but very unusual I'd have thought. Probably used to test a particular candidate than used across the board?

TheFallenMadonna · 25/04/2012 07:35

I agree. There would be no point for the school in selecting an inferior candidate. And if you want to take it further, then the Head would be the place to start, who will pass it on to whoever is in charge if curriculum. Anyone rosary you contact will pass it to the Head.

Kez100 · 25/04/2012 07:18

Please please, stop assuming the child in the lower set is a lower grade! Please read my first post or you may be embarrassed when you go into school.

I fully support you going in but a child in top set in NOT necessarily aceing ALL children in lower sets.

ibizagirl · 25/04/2012 06:01

Hello El24. Sorry your dd didn't get the choices she wanted and i am now worrying myself over my dd. Haven't heard anything yet and don't know when either. Dd too is in top set for all subjects so am so annoyed for you. You MUST speak to the school. Face to face would probably be better. Dd and i was told at options evening that she would get in in an oversubscribed subject BECAUSE she is in top set and that her targets have been met/passed. Now thinking whether i should have took that with a pinch of salt. I know that if dd doesn't get what she wants she will be upset/angry. It was bad enough trying to find a third option as the ones she wanted were all in same "boxes". I will be straight up school if choices not met and certainly will be if lower set children get the choices. Good luck with it and make sure you see school!!

maples · 24/04/2012 23:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gelatinous · 24/04/2012 23:11

yellowtip KnackeredOldBag's dd has a medicine offer this year with an A* in Chemistry specified. Thread here

Original poster
El24 · 24/04/2012 23:07

Sorry I also forgot to mention the school has a specialist Science status! What a joke!

OP posts:
Original poster
El24 · 24/04/2012 23:03

I know the other child got a place because I know what options she chose (her mother told me), she's not in my DDs top set class nor was she in the "disappointed" group.

The HOD said there were only 24 places and she was one who didn't make the cut. With regards to her grades in Science, she is a combo 7 and high 6 student. Also when I asked if there was anything she could do, external exams etc, he was very dismissive and said no. You would have thought if he was trying to help he would have offered some viable options! Instead his whole attitude was that's that, door closed. Apparently all the girls who didn't get their choices were shuffled onto the EB programme, coincidence?

Unfortunately I'm not in a position to go private, but I'm desperately looking at other schools. However, finding a good school in London at this stage of her academic career is almost impossible.

Like I said earlier, my faith in her current school is dwindling. How can I really trust them to ensure my child gets the best from her school career?

Tomorrow I will be calling the education board and writing them a letter including the legal guidelines.

OP posts: