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Original poster

GCSE choices

34 replies

lilli30101968 · 04/05/2018 16:10

Hello my daughter in year 9 , letter has been sent few weeks ago for picking 3 subjects she has picked French , food tech and History . I received a letter yesterday that they recommend my daughter not to take French they will timetabled for extra Maths and English . I wanted her to do French she is doing so well . I wanted to know if I can say No she need to do a language or if the school can do that . If any mums have experience this kind of recommendations please let me know what the next step . Thanks

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Soursprout · 11/05/2018 06:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TeenTimesTwo · 10/05/2018 14:03

Super. Good decision all round.

ps I don't think this was about 'putting your foot down' I think it was about reaching a solution that met everyone's needs. It wasn't about French, it was about enabling your DD to enter for a GCSE she would find very easy whilst still ensuring she got her extra Maths & English.

Original poster
lilli30101968 · 10/05/2018 13:48

Hi Guys I wanted to give you a feed back on my meeting with the school reg my daughter French GCSE choices. I meet up with the deputy this morning she has explained that Maths and English were core subjects they want pupils to do well in both to get the govern level . I have insisted that doing French she will benefit from that as she is bilingual so , she wont go to lessons , will liaise with french teacher for papers exams to practice and revisions even consider doing it in year 10 . I am very happy about the outcome , I dont like making a fuss when it comes to school decisions and policies but sometimes you have to put your foot down . Thank you very much to all of you who comment and gave me advice meeting with the school .XX

OP posts:
titchy · 09/05/2018 13:09

Exams are November as well

Only maths and English, and only re-sits.

GreenTulips · 09/05/2018 12:31

Exams are November as well

Ring the colleges or ask at your meeting - some will sit maths and English this November

School should have an exams officer who could advise

Original poster
lilli30101968 · 09/05/2018 12:17

Malbecfan she could take it next summer with the school or somewhere else ?

OP posts:
Malbecfan · 08/05/2018 19:59

It's too late for her to take it this summer, but if she is bilingual, I think you should ask if she could be entered for it next summer. Make sure you know which syllabus the school teaches and ensure she is up to speed with everything.

A chap I teach in year 8 lived in France for his primary schooling and is taking French GCSE this summer. I have no problem with him missing bits of my lesson for speaking exam practice - he isn't going to take my subject next year anyhow but this will give him a qualification and boost his self-esteem.

cricketballs3 · 08/05/2018 17:23

that why I was questioning why food thech over languages

It sounds like it maybe due to option blocks and timetable issues rather than this specific subject

Original poster
lilli30101968 · 08/05/2018 10:21

Bubbles that why I was questioning why food thech over languages? they need to realise some are good in languages and others in Maths . I was going to get her extra tuitions in maths and english for extra lessons for GCSE well , I have a meeting with the school this week I will see what they will say . Thank you all for your comments really appreciate

OP posts:
NapQueen · 07/05/2018 19:27

Presumably her French is already well developed if she is bilingual?

Morebiscuitsplease · 07/05/2018 19:25

If she really enjoys languages I would encourage her to continue, it is important to study what you enjoy and are good at! Could you support her in Maths and English with a tutor... one to one can be very effective, important to support in these subjects sooner rather than later. Do speak to school.
An alternate approach if you can be school to agree!

farangatang · 07/05/2018 07:31

Definitely look into her being able to sit the French GCSE in Year 10 externally. Then she can have time during Y10/11 at school to get her Maths and English up to scratch.

GreenTulips · 06/05/2018 17:40

Local colleges will allow children to sit the exams I think it's around £50 but may be free to children

You need to ask what's happening for them to suggest it.

A French GCSE here is quite basic compared to a first language GCSE

Have a look at past papers online to see the level and if you think she'd walk the exam now

titchy · 06/05/2018 17:39

Oh she is bilingual. Blush still the French GCSE won't help her in anyway given that she is.

titchy · 06/05/2018 17:38

Being bilingual is far more beneficial to her than having a GCSE in that language. Having decent Maths and English also far more beneficial than French GCSE.

Or maybe she isn't bilingual?

Soursprout · 06/05/2018 17:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TeenTimesTwo · 06/05/2018 16:22

I was wondering that too.

Walkingdeadfangirl · 06/05/2018 15:59

Maybe I am missing the point but if she is bilingual then is there any point to doing it at school? If she just wants another GCSE to her name then she could sit the exam as an external candidate. Surly it will be a waste to her time to sit in a beginners class she is already fluent in.

TeenTimesTwo · 06/05/2018 15:35

Bubbles Why is the MFL considered expendable and not food tech?

I suspect that because most children having difficulty with maths and English also have problems doing an MFL. (On the grounds that if you are struggling with your own language then a second is going to be much harder). Whereas food tech, being partly practical, may have more appeal for those students. (It certainly does for my DD). Which is probably why the extra maths& English are in the same 'block' as the language, and not the food tech.

Timetables aren't set up for the occasional bilingual student. (NB they may well let the OPs daughter do GCSE French without the lessons if she really is bilingual.)

OP - go back and talk with the school and ask their reasoning and go from there.

BubblesBuddy · 06/05/2018 15:25

It’s typical of stupid schools that they timetable extra lessons so pupils cannot take an MFL. When will we learn? Why should someone who wants to do a language be prevented from doing so? Why is the MFL considered expendable and not food tech?

Original poster
lilli30101968 · 06/05/2018 11:20

Yes Aunt she is bilingual my first language is French and I think it will help her in the future its an advantage that help me personally on my career a lot

OP posts:
gingerbreadbiscuits · 06/05/2018 10:28

It will be French because that is were in the timetable they can fit in extra support lessons.

OP you really need to speak to the school to find out why they are doing this.

AuntJobiska · 06/05/2018 10:23

It's just a thought, but would you support her continuing to study French as an extracurricular interest, if the school aren't supportive? I know it's not what you asked, but it's so easy to get caught up in the factory aspect of education and get obsessed with what GCSEs they'll have, how many, what grades. If she's one of those people that catches on to languages really easily, maybe she could do it as an interest and then she'll be someone who actually can make a good go of speaking a language, which is going to be of more benefit than a GCSE.

Original poster
lilli30101968 · 06/05/2018 10:03

Thanks all for your comments . I understand the needs of core subjects but I dont see the reason dropping language the French GCSE dont drop no subjects they carry on until A level .

OP posts:
multivac · 05/05/2018 12:48

Indeed, more information is needed. Because it's also possible the OP's daughter is lined up to be given extra maths and English because she arrived with inflated KS2 results, meaning that a mere '4' won't cut it for the school.

In any case, however, there should be no reason at all why dropping an option should be required in order to teach core subjects - including interventions if required - effectively.

At my kids' school, with very few exceptions, every child is entitled and expected to continue language learning throughout KS3 and 4. Because it's considered to be important for the student. Meanwhile, maths and English results are considerably above the national average - and this is a non-selective comprehensive.