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Original poster

3 year GCSE courses

156 replies

mintyneb · 08/11/2019 18:31

We've just been told today that DD (yr8) will have to chose her GCSEs next summer to start them in yr9.

Up until now the school has done GCSEs over 2 years so traditionally DD would have had over a year before having to make a choice. This has therefore come as something of a surprise.

Apparently research shows that 3 year courses are better all round but as there won't be an info evening until Feb it will be a while before I can officially find out more from school.

Any thoughts from folks whose DC have gone through this and come out the other side?!

OP posts:
Original poster
mintyneb · 08/11/2019 18:44

Rosie, xposted. I'm inclined to feel the same but need some positive experiences to keep my mind open.

Unfortunately I'm of the era that did o levels so the new style gcses don't appear - on the surface at least - to be significant harder than what I had to do

OP posts:
Original poster
mintyneb · 08/11/2019 18:42

How did the schools keep up the broad education that they would have usually offered in yr9?

Did your DCs get a chance to do anything that wasn't one of their GCSE choices? School have said that they'll keep offering 'opportunities and experiences in all subjects next year, just not sure what that really means

OP posts:
Rosieposy4 · 08/11/2019 18:41

I don’t know of any substantiated research that shows this is generally better for the kids. Teach something well the first time, interleave new topics with revisiting previous ones and really no need to start in y9. It reduces choice for the students, makes them drop too many subjects way too early, ime it tend to be done only by poorer schools and ofsted hate it.

Clutterbugsmum · 08/11/2019 18:38

Sorry posted to soon.

Her school also sit their English Lit GCSE in year 10 so they can concentrate on English language in Year 11.

Clutterbugsmum · 08/11/2019 18:36

My DD1 school has done this for last few years and the results are really improving.

She basically finishes her 'course' work at Christmas and the next term is covering area's where there is need and revision.

oreomum · 08/11/2019 18:36

All of the schools round here do 3 year courses for GCSE. They finish the course in y11 like 2 year schools but the first year is a more gentle transition than in 2 year schools. There's more content in new GCSEs so the extra time is probably for the best.

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