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Original poster

Unwanted School Imposition

186 replies

LisaRear · 04/10/2021 09:47

Before the summer holiday, my DS's year was given a range of exams after coming back from Covid home education. The general results were poor for the whole year. The school is now seeking to impose a move into some easier subjects for many of these pupils, we feel to manage their generally good history of results. All the previous results for our boy contradict his own result, but the school is not budging. Apart from removal, or private, what remedy, legal or otherwise, do we have? We strongly feel that these subject choices will impact the future and wish to negotiate a longer evaluation period (such as up to Christmas), while some home support kicks in to ensure success. But the school is unwilling for this, we suppose as it might create a precedent.

OP posts:
Original poster
LisaRear · 04/10/2021 11:20

@DPotter

Surely by the time the legal side could kick in, you're beyond Christmas anyway? I don't see the legal route as a viable options given the time sensitivity of the situation.

Are there other families who are in the same situation? There's always more power in numbers. If the school has a problem to fix, it has to go with the solution which addresses the majority and so yes, the single case, the minority get swept up.

Have you explored with the school that your DS attended combined science classes but they enter him for 3 GCSEs rather than the 2 they propose. And you home school / tutor for the syllabus gap ? I would have thought that a better use of money and gets him learning what he needs to straightaway.

If there is a clear legal case due to the lack of a proper school review, then we might hope that on seeing the seriousness of our approach the school may reconsider before things become bogged down. Otherwise your point is correct, it will be moot.

I can reach out to the parents of some of my son's classmates to enquire, but I would have to go through my child to do so, which would potentially make him quite awkward. I'll consider options here.

Yes, I was looking at online tutoring, testing and sitting the exams separately. Am unsure of whether the school would oblige here with three exams, because it is my belief they are trying to manage their results (being selective) and so that would defeat the purpose of this process for them.

I'll consider, regardless, thank you.

OP posts:
SunshineCake1 · 04/10/2021 11:20

This makes me cross. My middle childhood to move schools as they wouldn't let them do four A levels. They'd rather they got three A* than four A or a mix. It should be about the student there and then. Not future whatever for the school.

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 04/10/2021 11:18

Ds only did combined science at GCSE, most schools offer it as an option as the content cannot be covered in the usual core science lessons. He got 9,9 and achieved an A* for physics A level. At least half the A level class had "only" done the combined science as that is what a lot of schools offer. Several of the students going onto to study medicine at university only have combined science at GCSE.

I cannot see how it can massively impact your son's future. If he is an able and willing student then the jump from GCSE to A level will be totally manageable. This is about grades, surely parents would be complaining if their child got 7,7,7 instead of 9,9.

Seeline · 04/10/2021 11:08

Maybe, but as I mentioned lots of prev-tests indicate a consistently much higher score.

But if the school physically haven't got time to teach the full syllabus in each science, I don't see what good taking them to court would do? Previous tests would only have tested what has been taught. Unfortunately GCSEs cover the whole syllabus. Teachers won't find out until February which areas the exams will concentrate on - it's probably a bit late by then.

DPotter · 04/10/2021 11:05

Surely by the time the legal side could kick in, you're beyond Christmas anyway? I don't see the legal route as a viable options given the time sensitivity of the situation.

Are there other families who are in the same situation? There's always more power in numbers. If the school has a problem to fix, it has to go with the solution which addresses the majority and so yes, the single case, the minority get swept up.

Have you explored with the school that your DS attended combined science classes but they enter him for 3 GCSEs rather than the 2 they propose. And you home school / tutor for the syllabus gap ? I would have thought that a better use of money and gets him learning what he needs to straightaway.

Original poster
LisaRear · 04/10/2021 10:54

@Seeline

Combined science won't stop him doing A levels in the sciences.

Maybe the school don't think they can get through all the extra work required for individual sciences in time for the exams. Two good passes in combined, would be much better than 3 poor grades.

Maybe, but as I mentioned lots of prev-tests indicate a consistently much higher score. He has been caught up in a trawl of many pupils.

And while your concerns seem focused on the perspective of the school, which is fine, my interest is to what extent - if any - are parents able to overturn diktats of this kind by schools, where a good case can be made that it is unjustified or ill-considered.

I'd be happy to instruct a specialist educational law firm, but I was wondering first - to avoid costs that may be wasted - whether this is even feasible? If anyone has a view on this issue here.

OP posts:
Seeline · 04/10/2021 10:49

Combined science won't stop him doing A levels in the sciences.

Maybe the school don't think they can get through all the extra work required for individual sciences in time for the exams. Two good passes in combined, would be much better than 3 poor grades.

Original poster
LisaRear · 04/10/2021 10:41

@SeasonFinale

From what subject to which subject and why do you believe it will impact choices going forward (unless from higher to foundation level)?

Are the subjects those that they would want to do at A level? If not, it is unlikely that a change would impact their future and better grades may help future choices than lower grades in certain subjects.

The school may be seeking to ensure their "results" look good but they will also be wanting the pupils to achieve their potential too.

Sciences > Combined Sciences. Wants to do at least one science at A. Has a CATS at 8 for the three subjects. It's a selective school.

Also he doesn't need the pressure taken off in other areas, eg. all the humanities are soaring. The decision belies all past results and is therefore a move to bounce many pupils into an easier subject for a higher grade, for, I believe, the previously suggested reason.

OP posts:
Original poster
LisaRear · 04/10/2021 10:37

@Seeline

What year is your DS?
11
OP posts:
Seeline · 04/10/2021 10:17

What year is your DS?

SeasonFinale · 04/10/2021 10:15

From what subject to which subject and why do you believe it will impact choices going forward (unless from higher to foundation level)?

Are the subjects those that they would want to do at A level? If not, it is unlikely that a change would impact their future and better grades may help future choices than lower grades in certain subjects.

The school may be seeking to ensure their "results" look good but they will also be wanting the pupils to achieve their potential too.