Year 11 GCSE Exam Support Thread

Yes, and if a pupil wanted to apply elsewhere then they would need to know the expected grades. My DD needed hers for her Arkwright scholarship application too - the assumption is that pupils have these.

Errol you're probably right, but there is also what is needed and what is sensible, isn't there?

To go to our local 6th form for A levels you need minimum 5Cs.
But is it sensible to do A levels on 5Cs (that you've worked your socks off for)? Probably not.

DD's initial predictions would have been fine for A levels, current ones are much more borderline.

I'd take a bet that if Epic's DD's predicted grades were below what she needs for her 6th form choices then the school would have said something.

If we didn't know DD's predicted grades, we wouldn't know how to pitch expectations for what to do at 6th form.

We have seen predictions vary from start of y10, mainly going downwards which was more due to unrealistic expectations from teachers initially than any lack of work from DD.

DD is told if she's on target to achieve her predicted grades or whether she's slipped below them, she just doesn't know what they are. I was a bit surprised by it at first but DD says it's good because she knows if she has to work harder in a subject or not or carry on like she is but doesn't have the pressure of knowing if they predict an A grade or think she's going to fail.

Ds gets a predicted grade which is what the teacher thinks he will achieve if he carries on at his current rate. He knows that if he slacks off he might not achieve that grade.

He also gets a potential grade which is what the teacher thinks he is capable of achieving if he puts in maxiumum effort.

They are updated regularly based on on coursework, assessments and test results. He has just received new ones after his mock results. They really do help him understand what he needs to focus on and what he could achieve if he tries hard. If you don't have them, I would suggest asking for them, they can be very helpful.

The predicted grades thing is a bit of a two-edged sword, isn't it?
On the one hand, knowing them could lead to either complacency or underachieving if the prediction is low; on the other hand not knowing them may give rise to unrealistic expectations or underestimating their own ability.
On balance, I'm inclined to think it's better for the kids to know what the teachers think.

I'm at all your dc staying on for 6th form. Our schools 6th form closed suddenly ( unsustainable numbers) and the college is just down the road. Dd has a place, but it's of questionable reputation, they are trying to improve it, and to be fair it is getting better.

We have also applied to a Selective academy, but are completely out of catchment so she will need top notch grades to get in.

DD has had predicted grades since year 9 and each term they are shown the new predicted grades, so we can see over time whether she's slipping back, or doing better. She sees some as targets to beat and others as an indicator that she can pass without doing much more work.

That's interesting Epic, not heard of it being done like that before.

They have a target grade which they set themselves and they are told if they are on track for that but they don't know what the teachers think they will get. The main indicator that they get is from what set they are in.

School don't tell them their predicted grades? I'd find that a bit weird if it were me!

On one hand I can see why they wouldn't tell them, (kind of a 'need to know' basis) on the other it'd annoy me if I didn't know!!

DD is staying on at 6th form. I've no idea what grades she needs as they didn't tell her any when she applied, it's a selective 6th form though so she had to meet whatever the requirements are. The head already had her predicted grades, though she doesn't know what they are as the school don't tell them.

DD didn't seriously consider anywhere else other than staying at her current school. She likes it, most of her friends will be staying, and it gets the best results in the county. Its requires 5 Bs, As in some though not all of the subjects to be taken, and at least a C in Eng. lang. The next best college hereabouts apparently has only 5 Cs requirement, less than some of the others.

auntpetunia "no one else's mum is making them do all this!!" - well, actually that's true. Some of us aren't actually having to make our kids revise! DD decided to postpone our coat-buying trip to Ambleside till easter (and TBH maybe even till June, so long as it's before the practice DofE) - so, having planned a day off DH, DDog and I went for a really nice walk. Then at about 4:15 DD announced that she needed a break as nothing was going in any more ("not even electronics"), amazingly enough she took little persuasion to get her to actually come outside (she never usually wants to walk locally) so DDog and I got another couple of kilometres.

My DS1 stayed on at school 6th form luckily, as we rate it better than our college. Going to college would have involved a much lengthier commute so that also helped, although he just sort of assumed he'd stay at school so we didn't have to persuade him!

School 6th form require B in the subjects being studied at A level. Not sure about college.

We have applied to the 6th form at his school....I'm even considering paying him a higher allowance if he goes there, as he says he's fed up of the travelling (13 miles away, rather than 2 miles to the college). Thing is it won't occur to ds that he actually has to apply, fill out a form and everything

Lynette ds's sixth form only want Bs for Economics, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and MFL's. Everything else is a C. It is a really good sixth form and, yes, the teachers are amazing and so dedicated, giving up so much of their time. I recommend you encourage your ds to apply to his sixth form as a sort of 'first choice' and keep the college as a fall back if he doesn't get high enough grades.

One thing I have told both my children is that this is what all those years of going to school is for. It's important not to flag at the final few crucial weeks. But they do need down time and fun time so I will be putting that on the timetable too

They will be excused from usual jobs around the house, for example and I will try to keep spirits up with little treats. Financial incentives might be more appealing to some?

LineRunner. Leave it for him to clean up on his return!

Mine are now up and revising. I had to tell them to do it, mind

Now I know why DS has opted to go into school. I just went into the living room and he has clearly stayed up late last night and has left it like a bomb site.

DD has unfortunately only managed an hours revision so far in her bedroom, so who knows if she did it, because she's far too busy seeing friends! She has a friend for a sleepover tonight, because her parents have gone away for the week and left her at home revising. They are going to watch films study together.

I am shocked and stunned to report that DS has just voluntarily gone into school for the day. And the teacher is bringing them lunch in.

Horsemad's right. A lot of the teachers are amazing.

My two still in bed . I'm about to start the vacuuming...

Just noticed someone posted 6th form is asking for 5 Cs ....DSs school is asking for Bs, except maths where they want an A.....

The local college, which I thought was woeful re A'level sciences when I looked around, are only asking for 5 Cs. DS knows he can achieve that no problem, so that is his plan, apparently.

Not sure how to make a 16yo see he is at an amazing school and he should stay there.

He is looking at another 6th form next week with DH....it's a massive school with nothing re SN on the application form. Not too sure when we'd bring up that he has Aspergers. But they do offer a BTec science course if things go really pear shaped....

DS is in school today catching up on coursework.....

I long for a timetable. Some idea to show he's doing something other than playing on Civ or Gary's mod. I gave home yesterday off as he'd been away but I have past papers maths and chemistry for today. He won't be happy and I will get the FACE AND A GRUNTING but I dot care. Past papers are done in the dinning room with no distractions. He says I'm making him work too hard and "no one else's mum is making them do all this!!" (Was v tempted I point him at this thread) an say yes they are, the kids just aren't telling anyone else about it. As they don't want to appear sad/swots. So far I've resisted this as he'd have a fit if he knew I was taking about him and his studies.