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Original poster

Y10 woes-might not pass GCSE English

30 replies

wineapotamus · 11/12/2025 06:28

DS is in Y10. He’s bright, funny, sociable and kind. Loads of friends, nice to his little sister etc. But he’s struggling with the expectations at GCSEs and has never really got to grips with hard work. He has an ADHD diagnosis and wants to revise and work with multiple screens on/whatsapp pinging away.

I had a good phone call with his English teacher yesterday who said he understands the work and can talk about it to grade 6 level, but thinks he needs some support to be able to get it down in essay form, otherwise he’s at risk of not passing. DS has agreed to do some revision downstairs with one of us with no screens/phone and then he can get on with his other stuff and I am happy to help him with it. Any recommendations for resources for inspector calls, or either English lang paper? People to follow on instagram/techniques and tricks? I did English at uni, but coming up to 30 years since I did my GCSEs 😱.

Thanks so much-worried for him.

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 11/12/2025 06:40

Eng Lang. What board (this matters a lot)?.

Each question will have a 'formula' he needs to know.
What is the question asking for
How many marks
How much time
How much to write / expected structure

Eg how is language used to effect?
Focus on words used and effect they have
8 marks
10 minutes
4 short paragraphs each giving a quote, the effect, and how achieved (using terminology if known but not essential). Link the paragraphs.

Justputsomeyoghurtonit · 11/12/2025 06:38

Hi OP. Does your child have any LSA support? My DS is ASD and has regular LSA meetings and those are helping him focus on the English expectations.

DS also does all his work with phone and movies playing and various other stimulation.

FWIW, if it can be made into 'normal way of working' candidates can listen to music in exams on headphones now. The exams office will provide an MP3 player and headphones. This might help. Lots of ND candidates work better with noise in headphones.

KatieKat88 · 11/12/2025 06:33

First step is find out what exam board he is - you can then buy revision guides/ Google past papers online. I always recommend flash cards to my students (History rather than English but similar in terms of lots of content and having to get it down on paper in specific ways!) Ask his teacher if they have revision check lists for content and any exam technique guides for how to answer questions. Is he down for any reasonable adjustments for exams with the SEND team?

Original poster
wineapotamus · 11/12/2025 06:31

No. He’s never wanted to and we haven’t found he’s needed it.

OP posts:
metalbottle · 11/12/2025 06:29

Is he on meds for his ADHD?