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Original poster

Year 'out' to retake GCSEs?

60 replies

Echobelly · 21/10/2024 17:55

DS is in Y9 and as the expectations ramp up it's clear his ADHD, even though he is bright, is making it hard for him to keep up and GCSEs could be a massive hurdle. He catches up a little more with peers each year but he's also August born and I fear that he just won't be ready to get strong enough GCSE results when he's still 15 to make it to A-level. But given a bit more time to catch up and retake some of them (without the pressure of all 9 subjects) he could be able to do better and be ready for A-levels.

I gather it is possible to take a 'year out' this way and there are costs attached, which we could bear - I'd be interested if anyone has experience of doing this. Like, where do they do the retakes private insitutions, public? Is it always in-person teaching or can it be done online? And so on.

Obviously there are many variables as to whether this would be the right solution for him, it might not even come to this, but I'm trying to get as clear an idea as possible what the options are.

OP posts:
Foxesandsquirrels · 21/10/2024 19:54

What costs? You're well within your right to request them to retake a year. We did this, DD retook Y10 last year and is Y11 now. I would personally move schools though as socially it would be difficult to go down a year in the same school.

PinkFrogss · 21/10/2024 19:29

A-levels aren’t necessarily needed for university. I think doing an extra year to get GCSEs is a pretty drastic decision and sounds like there are plenty of better alternatives in this case.

Do any of the local sixth forms/colleges have open evenings coming up?

TeenToTwenties · 21/10/2024 19:16

You can go to university with T-levels/BTECs.

you need to be aware that if he takes a year out post GCSEs he will lose his ability to 'restart' 6th form. This means that if he resits some GCSEs to be allowed to take A levels, but then starts A levels and can't cope, he'd only have 1 year left in 6th form which isn't enough to get T-levels.

Jessie1259 · 21/10/2024 19:06

What does he want to do OP? Does he know? I would say that A-levels may not be the right choice for him, I would get him to do his GCSE's and get a tutor for maths and English if you can as those are the ones that are really useful. I would then look at BTECs at college - many will do GCSE maths and English or functional skills as well alongside if needed - and the BTECs will mean he can go to uni if he wants but they won't be so exam based. DS got all 8's and 9's in his GCSE's and got B's at A-level, they are tough and I wouldn't recommend them for a child struggling to get 4's/5's at GCSE. I would keep moving forward though, there's nothing more demoralising than going back a year and retaking IMO.

Original poster
Echobelly · 21/10/2024 19:05

His school doesn't have a 6th form, so either he'll be moving on to a different one maybe with some friends, or if he doesn't make A-level standards he'll probably be separated from them anyway.

I'm aware of the argument 'If they can't do GCSEs why make them do A-levels?', but I think there is the argument of maturity and also just sheer having fewer subjects and only the ones you want to do. Nephew (autistic) did not get good GCSEs but scraped into 6th form, which he was initially not keen on going to but went on to get decent A-levels because he was more ready and more able to learn with fewer subjects on his plate. I'm not wedded to A-levels, but I'd like to at least like to make it what to aim for but obviously would re-think if GCSEs suggest he just won't manage them. Also, DS at the moment says he would like to go to university.

OP posts:
PinkFrogss · 21/10/2024 18:37

It’s not about the age difference, it’s that his current friends and peer group will be moving on and he won’t. If he needs an extra year for GCSEs then I think he would struggle with A levels - which there is no shame in.

What does he want to do post 18 and why are you so set on him doing A levels?

Original poster
Echobelly · 21/10/2024 18:23

Thanks for input. I think a year out is not an option if he just struggles really badly and isn't getting anywhere near 4+ in anything (though I don't think that will happen); in that case I would rethink options for further study/work.

If he shows improvement in his ability to study and does OK in some subjects but not quite well enough to progress to A-level (we wouldn't be looking at super high grade requiring 6th forms) then I think this could be a good option that gives him time to be ready. I'm aware he'd have to retake Maths and English regardless if he doesn't make the grade - I think he'll be able to manage a 4 or maybe even a 5 in maths, but English language will be a challenge, especially as I think the Eng Lang exam as it is is ridiculous and hard to get your head around (I am a English graduate myself).

I wouldn't be worried about age difference - he'd literally be 17 at the start of Y12 and 18 when he takes his A-levels, so he wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb.

He has a diagnosis on inattentive ADHD since age 9, but no ECHP. It didn't seem like he needed one but maybe we need to look into that now. He takes equasym but we're going to talk to consultant at catch up next month as to whether this needs altering as he's really running out of steam at the end of the school day and he is quite a bit bigger than when he started on it.

@PinkFrogss - I'd be happy for him to take fewer GCSEs, but not sure if they allow that at their school. His sibling sat GCSEs this year and it was 21 papers, which I felt was a huge ask and put oldest under a lot of strain even though they are very able and motivated. I'm happy, and DH is moving round to accepting, non GCSE courses at 16 as well.

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 21/10/2024 18:05

You'd probably need to pay privately to resit GCSEs. Could be costly and soul destroying.

You are talking about catching up, so is it a situation of ADHD was undiagnosed but now it is known and on meds/other adjustments he can catch up?
Does he have an EHCP?

Are either of these possible:
. Hold back a year, so repeat year 9
. Discuss with school to do reduced number of GCSEs
. If can't do reduced number, just mentally throw away a GCSE or 2.

If you don't think he will be able to meet A level entry requirements, would A levels actually be right for him, or would a continuous assessment model such as T-Levels suit him more?

What are the A level entry criteria? Are you looking at a school that wants eg 7s across the board, or somewhere with more basic requirements such as 5 passes but 6/7s in chosen subjects?

Octavia64 · 21/10/2024 18:03

He could go to a crammer.

Eg this place

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ManderPortmann_Woodward

They are expensive.

If he fails maths and English and wants to continue in state funded education he will need to resit anyway.

PinkFrogss · 21/10/2024 18:03

Would it not be better for him to do fewer GCSEs and choose an alternative path to a levels - of which there are many great options.

I’d be worried about the mental of social effects of him being a year behind his peers, and what this would do to his confidence.