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Original poster

More on early GCSEs

32 replies

WilfSell · 12/09/2012 21:32

DS1 has just told me that apparently they are beginning work for their GCSEs in RE and ICT this year. He has just started Y9. I have no idea what I think about this yet, and would really like the opportunity to find out why from the teachers but until parents' evening, there seems to be no chance to talk to them.

DS1 is so underwhelmed by both subjects that the idea of actually putting any work in at this stage is challenging me him and he's got it into his head that RE won't make the slightest bit of difference to his life so it doesn't matter; and that ICT is so pointless and easy, that doesn't matter either, although he like it marginally more than RE.

I really, really WANT to leave him to his own devices and make his own decisions about how to handle this but he's 13 and knows it ALL AREADY Wink. I don't suppose the school think we have a choice either here.

He will almost certainly be on track for other early GCSE next year, and is fairly able but for one thing he is not yet mature enough to realise he needs to improve his general writing and literacy skills to do well in critical, discursive subjects like RE. So, does he HAVE to do it this year or can I he refuse? Is it better to get it out of the way if he doesn't care about it, even if I think he'd benefit from being stretched in 'written' subjects like RE/humanities? Should I just leave him to get on with it and not care that he thinks it is pointless so he doesn't have to bother with it?

OP posts:
Knowsabitabouteducation · 13/09/2012 17:39

I don't think it is very profitable to think of some subjects as pointless. If you say this to enough people, you are bound to be hurtful at some point. Is that what you want to do?

There are merits in all subjects.

Even if you don't value a subject and your child would never study it for A-level, it will persist on his CV and UCAS form. This is because the final grade in any subject is reported. Your child should be trying to get the highest grade he can.

creamteas · 13/09/2012 09:35

One question you might want to ask is when will they be entered and is that all or some of the students?

At our school, they all begin working on GCSEs in year 9, but there are a range of decisions about entry.

Some students will be entered for subjects in year 9, but others wait for year 10 or 11.

Those taking triple science take one intesively each year (eg biology year 9, chemistry year 10) but only the strongest students are allowed to take triple and there has been no drop in grades.

Original poster
WilfSell · 13/09/2012 09:32

I suppose if he's able to cope, and getting the pointless ones some of it out of the way sooner rather than later, getting in some assessment practice, and then being able to focus more on the subjects that matter more challenging things later, then this is a good thing, right?

So long as he has 8ish decent grades later on, from exams taken at the same time-ish, then that keeps his options open? Even if he ends up with poor grades in these ones?

I am much more concerned about his early maths stuff (he's also taking stats this year too apparently) but the school has assured me that his set will be fine, and should all achieve their best.

OP posts:
MordionAgenos · 13/09/2012 08:21

It depends on the ability of the young person. Some are ready to do them early some not.

Knowsabitabouteducation · 13/09/2012 06:51

I think taking early GCSEs is crazy.

They really do develop good writing and analytical skills all the way up to the end of Y11.

Original poster
WilfSell · 13/09/2012 00:00

Thanks. Yeah, I'm not really that arsed about these subjects per se, but I'm worried about him settling into not caring about writing early on, when later, for more important subjects, it may be more of an issue...

I didn't know about the 'half' business, in fact I know nothing. Still got no idea how to get any information out of the school other than the little DS tells me.

OP posts:
SwedishEdith · 12/09/2012 21:39

Is it one of these baby GCSEs? They tend to do a 1/2 RE GCSE in Yr 9 (for practice?) I'd say his attitude is completely par for the course and, tbh, I think I agree with him.

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