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Original poster

Fed up after options evening

62 replies

toomanyoptions · 04/02/2014 20:13

Hi, my ds(12) isn't the most academic kid but tries so hard, he is a little below on maths/english but hopefully will improve in time. tonight after options evening at school I noticed he is being put forward for the lowest group, practically all BTECS in motor mechanics/hairdressing etc with only a few GCSE options. The school did tell me that they 'band' kids from their results and a computer programme decided to put him in this group, and I am so annoyed that he isn't automatically being offered the chance to pick other subjects and seems to have been sent to the bottom of the pile at a young age!

I think the school should be encouraging all kids to try for the GCSEs rather than just get lumped in with a group where vocational subjects (not even that many offered!) are offered. ds is very upset and feels like he's stupid :(.

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 04/02/2014 21:58

"Schools are now reluctant to let any child 'try' GCSEs in case they fail and stuff up the League Table figures. Its that simple and that brutal."

MrsBright is right. Schools do everything they can to massage the results because of these stupid league tables.

I am surprised that they are starting the options process in year 8. It is usual to do them in year 9. Why are they doing them so early?

MrsBright · 04/02/2014 21:55

Schools are now reluctant to let any child 'try' GCSEs in case they fail and stuff up the League Table figures. Its that simple and that brutal.

If this is only Year 7 or 8 this 'banding' isnt a done-deal. It can't be. There has to be room for him to move up before the final 'going into Year 10' options are decided at about this point in Year 9.

Talk to the school - Head of Year or similar and get the full timetable for deciding GCSE options. At the very least, he has to do English, Maths and RE as named subjects and GCSEs may become possible in at least a couple of these.

Original poster
toomanyoptions · 04/02/2014 21:29

not sure what to do, he has to decide by next week and i work so can't get in to see the school.

OP posts:
Original poster
toomanyoptions · 04/02/2014 21:05

yes only in year 8 and they are offered double science btec, not even a gcse in that. yet he can pick from 7 btecs

OP posts:
OddBoots · 04/02/2014 20:59

So is he Y8? That doesn't seem many GCSEs at all.

Original poster
toomanyoptions · 04/02/2014 20:51

i know it's really early to me too, when i was 12 i was still in middle school playing kiss chase

OP posts:
Picturesinthefirelight · 04/02/2014 20:35

Options evening at age 12!

Dd is 12 in year 7. She won't be choosing options until the end of year 9!

Original poster
toomanyoptions · 04/02/2014 20:28

GCSEs would be maths, english language, citizenship and History.

OP posts:
Original poster
toomanyoptions · 04/02/2014 20:27

there were a few he wanted to pick from but none offered at that level. The only GCSes offered are History (which he loves and wants to do) and geography, nothing from arts. Just lots of BTECS. He's only 12!

There is something called english and maths gcse support which I assume would give him extra help to get these two but it just seems to harsh that he will miss out of lots of different subjects. I know it isn't good for him to do stuff he 'cant' but he may be good at one of the others! not sure what to do

OP posts:
OddBoots · 04/02/2014 20:23

How many GCSEs will he be doing with these options? English, Maths, double science, RE?

Do any of the vocational subjects suit his interests?

Picturesinthefirelight · 04/02/2014 20:20

To me that reeks of the old o level cse divide.

NorthernLurker · 04/02/2014 20:19

The school is trying to meet your son's needs. It's not good for him at all to be trying to do stuff he can't do. What GCSE does he want to do that he hasn't been offered?

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