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Original poster

To keep pushing or to let go - GCSE

63 replies

Revitalift · 21/10/2026 12:55

DC is not naturally academic; he is in year 11 and has a tutor for two subjects, one is maths which he struggles with.

I keep reminding of the homework and daily practice which sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn’t. I booked a few extra sessions for the holidays but he complains he doesn’t have a free day. They have plenty of time lying in, etc.

I honestly don’t know if I should keep encouraging him or just let them be; hope for the best and get alternatives plans if they don’t get the results they need.

Just to add that he does engage with tutors and work well with them and I can see a smile of satisfaction when they get things done or do well after the session. He just doesn’t have self discipline or self motivation at the moment.

When doing work with him I do body doubling.

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Original poster
Revitalift · 22/10/2026 14:08

SoftIce · 22/10/2026 14:03

@Revitalift If your friend's DD did not resit, her GCSEs were probably before 2016, or she was at a private school? Or she had Functional Skills maths? Otherwise I think it is unusual, though clearly not impossible.

She did Sixth form in a state school. She is 21

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clary · 22/10/2026 14:21

Revitalift · 22/10/2026 13:29

Just to add. A friend’s daughter failed maths, she did a mix of A levels and Btecs. Did not resit; did a foundation course and is at a ini in London, not a top uni but a good uni studying law.

no idea?

What uni? I would think most if not all London unis want maths GCSE tbh. Even with a foundation course. Open university doesn’t need it but I don’t know anyone who has accessed another uni without it. Obvs I don’t know everyone tho haha 😜

Original poster
Revitalift · 22/10/2026 15:07

It is in South East London, studying Law

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 22/10/2026 17:47

Revitalift · 22/10/2026 15:07

It is in South East London, studying Law

Could the lack of GCSE maths be a barrier to employment though?

Original poster
Revitalift · 22/10/2026 17:56

RampantIvy · 22/10/2026 17:47

Could the lack of GCSE maths be a barrier to employment though?

Show quote history

Who knows

OP posts:
BeardySchnauzer · 22/10/2026 17:58

I think it would. It is expected now that everyone has a pass on maths and English so not having it would be an anomaly

I would really focus on him getting a pass and don’t even consider the alternatives

clary · 22/10/2026 21:29

Revitalift · 22/10/2026 15:07

It is in South East London, studying Law

Hmm from a bit of research it looks unusual even with a foundation year – a lot of them ask for a grade 3 or so in maths or FS L2. Is it Greenwich uni? I’m not saying it's not the case (obviously) but it's certainly very unusual to go to uni without a grade 4 in maths. So friend's DC is very much an outlier tbh. And yes, maybe had a grade that was close to a pass or a pass in FS.

I think for your DC the grade 4 is what he really needs to focus on right now. Once it's in the bag, he can not bother about maths GCSE ever again. This was certainly a motivation for my DS1 to pass.

fruitypancake · 22/10/2026 21:42

Why not give him a break over half term and then keep gently pushing - sounds like he’s doing well and there is still time

Original poster
Revitalift · 22/10/2026 22:04

fruitypancake · 22/10/2026 21:42

Why not give him a break over half term and then keep gently pushing - sounds like he’s doing well and there is still time

The tutor said we need to keep momentum; there is still quite a bit to cover and they are finding gaps.

He still has plenty of down time to be honest. Tutoring is only a few hours. He has the whole weekend off too. It is not like he is studying all day.

If he was on a 4 in maths I wouldn’t be worried. Or if he had the self motivation I would leave him alone. He needs gentle pushing and reminders. Help with organisation.

DH said he needs to become the driver of his own life. I agree, but from what I have read not many kids have the maturity and self discipline at 15 and still need quite a bit of support. DH and I didn’t have this pressure at that age (didn’t grow up in the UK).

OP posts:
BeardySchnauzer · 22/10/2026 22:07

Are school doing any mocks before Christmas?

Original poster
Revitalift · 22/10/2026 22:12

BeardySchnauzer · 22/10/2026 22:07

Are school doing any mocks before Christmas?

Straight after Christmas 😬

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BeardySchnauzer · 22/10/2026 22:16

Dd has a set after half term which seem to be focussing her mind. Is it possible to get his tutor to do a mock with him in one of the sessions and then you reward if he gets a 3 with the promise of further reward based on what he gets in the Jan mock? DD isn’t very rewards focussed so wouldn’t work for her sadly but might work for him?

Original poster
Revitalift · Yesterday 20:40

Thank you all. I won’t let go but will chill a bit as I realised I can’t force him. He works and fully concentrates and engages with tutors but gets distracted at home. There is an improvement in the sense that he is at least sitting down and trying while before he wasn’t even trying.

I will keep reminding him and sit down with him for revision and look at Sixth forms options and requirements. The rest is up to him.

Let see how the January Mocks goes 🙏

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