Normal kids only thread GCSEs

Agreed. Everyone knows what this means if they're being honest with themselves. Just some want to be contrary.

A normal kid in this context is obviously one who is going to get normal exam results- as the OP actually defines in her post, those hoping for 4s, 5s and 6s.
Everyone trying to take offence??!!??

I found GCSEs the hardest stage of my education. I think I struggled with having to learn so many different subjects, some which didn't come naturally to me. I found A levels much easier in comparison.

@TomeTome that’s a good question and I don’t actually know the answer to be honest. In the old days there was the “5 GCSEs at A-C” measure, but I’m not sure if that’s the case or not anymore.

The average attainment 8 score is 48.

I don't know, but I would assume the 'average child' receives mainly grade 4-6s with maybe an outlier 7 or 3.

GCSEs all pretty much test the same thing: ability (and willingness) to learn and retain a vast amount information and regurgitate and apply it accurately with good enough written skills to explain what you are trying to say.

Aside from SpLD / SEN, this to my view means that if you can do 3 different subjects you can likely do 8.

Yes for an individual subject, but how many does the average child receive?

I knew what you meant by ‘normal’ . The kids getting all 9s at GCSE are in the absolute minority ( as per statistics published each year) but those kids parents are all on mn. I absolutely hate the new grades 9-1. It’s like a 7 isn’t quite good enough for top set kids, which no one would have said about an A in the old system.

A 5 is about average (roughly equivalent to a C in old money).

Plenty of kids with SEND are able to get 'normal' grades at GCSE.

Nah all abnormal here. I’m intrigued though, what IS the norm for GCSE?

My ds was predicted a 4 for English and spent the holidays hoping he had passed as without that he wouldn't be able to do his chosen A levels but he ended up getting a 7 in Eng Lang, it was a total shock! But then some he was expecting to do better in he got lower.

My ds came out with
2x4 3x5 2x6 2x7 and music diploma with merit
Now doing A levels
He could have done better but didn't have the drive and bad mental health.

My child is predicted 4-7's with lowest in English.
My colleagues have children who've scored 9x9's.

I have a normal DS - he didn't excel at school - potentially 5/6 - felt overwhelmed and also a bit lazy and came out with 4/5 and a couple at 6. Went on to do A levels and got 3 C's - he's now at Uni and doing well. I totally identify with you OP. I really worried about him, put in a tutor for maths (to achieve a pass). I found nothing on MN - everyone seemed to think that less than 8 was a fail, same on the A level threads - I wouldn't dare suggest he was aiming for grade C. I remember when he passed his GCSE's I started a thread praising the young people who got 4/5's because they deserve praise too. I hope your thread goes well.

The 6th forms attached to schools here are asking for points and grades, so one wants 35 including 5s in English and Maths andcmyvDS's school wants 42 including 4s in English and Maths. The fe college is foingvitvin grades and is asking for 4's but for A Level says they would prefer higher in the subjects they want to do. I have an ' average' year 11. He's working really hard after not great year 10 mocks ( 2 hours revision a night) so if he doesn't improve, I think probably we'll have to look at vocational courses because he can't really work any harder. He's doing practice papers and flashcards of facts, quotes etc.

Actually have just checked- some subjects want a 6 in that subject but only a handful, the vast majority just ask for a total of 5 GCSEs (9-4) and 4s in English and Maths.

It is definitely a good idea to check these things. But not all students doing A levels are going on to university and can still get good grades at A level just not good enough across the board for a university entrance.

Ds's sixth form is outstanding and has above average progress 8, they want 5 x grade 4s, some subjects such as science and maths want a grade 6 to continue to A level. The rest don't. They promote the progress of the individual and give everyone a well supported education. They have brilliant contacts and support for those who go onto working or apprenticeships as well as those doing A levels.

@Ohnoooooooo, that’s surprising to me. Most of the colleges round here (our schools don’t have sixth forms so everyone has to go to college) are asking for 4/5s

Never a truer word spoke. Get to fuck!

RTFT

“Normal” as in not the kids devouring War and Peace in Year 4, I assume.

DD seems to want to do well and spends about 30 minutes each evening making sure we see her revise (which actually looks more like drawing fancy borders with highlighters and creating pretty headings and subheadings for each topic), but she’s pretty content otherwise. I’m trying not to put too much pressure on her while also making sure she’s on top of things… it’s a balancing act!

Normal????? Change the title op. 🙄

Our local college is grade 6 for the A level subjects you want to take.

FFS everyone knows what "normal" means in the context.

I hate whenever anyone says the word "normal", a bunch of wanky twats go "define normal" or "what is normal????" like we're all supposed to go "OMG you're so deep and thoughtful there is no normal statistically speaking so it's not a real thing and we should just stop using it to mean "about average-ish"."

Fuck off.