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Original poster

doing foundation for GCSE instead of highers.

20 replies

Curlyandconfused · 22/10/2026 07:50

I would really appreciate some thoughts.

DD is y11. small special school. DD has autism and complex MH needs, and an eating disorder. Missed most if year 9 and half of year 10 but is very bright. She was meant to sit higher for maths and science but teachers told them they are still only covering foundation stuff as there are too many gaps in learning across the classroom. They recon DD can do highers but it will need an high level of self study. School never did any mocks and they don't do regular assessments so I have no idea really how well (or not so well) DD is doing. She wants to do a-levels but not STEM subjects. She is very gifted in English, history etc where she is expected 9s. The colleges she is applying for only need 4 or 5 for maths and science.

DD is very unwell currently (serious eating disorder on top which leaves her very tired). Would it make sense to just drop the higher papers for maths and science in that case? I worry I am missing a trick and it's too simple.

Tutors are not possible as DD struggles to engage with people she doesn't know and shuts down. She only speaks at home. We would rely on school (ha!) and her self study.

OP posts:
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onlytherain · Yesterday 22:34

Given your daughter's situation, I would try to do this in the most strategic way possible. Does she need double science? My daughter took biology higher GCSE, no other science GCSEs, because she had severe health issues. She is now doing A-levels at an outstanding 6th form school. I would not add anything unnecessary but focus on the things your daughter actually needs.

I would download exam papers and have her sit one at home under exam conditions to see how she does. Then you know how she is doing.

Itisfree · Yesterday 22:04

I would take the pressure out of her. Mental and physical health is so important. Also, I know people who have found solution based hypnosis helpful for mental health, anxiety and eat disorders; Appreciate this is not what you are asking.

UpsideIn · 22/10/2026 18:46

Absolutely foundation. As a psychologist and a mum who wants her kids and all others to do the very best they can. She’s had a long time out, that must have had a huge impact on her self esteem aside from the underlying issues. Exams come with stress; at any level. Often (but not always) autism can make this more difficult and mental health and ED make it even harder to plan. Take the pressure off now. It will count for so much as this isn’t about her ability, you can let her know that. It’s about wellbeing overall and her experience of education and exams.

AnonyLonnymouse · 22/10/2026 18:43

I have a set of Eng Lit revision materials (quite expensive if you buy them new) that I would like to pass on to someone. No obligation whatsoever, but if it would help then send me a PM.

TeenToTwenties · 22/10/2026 18:33

When my DD did maths most recently she would have needed 175/240 for a 5 on the foundation tier (missed it by 7 marks) so you can get your 5 and still drop quite a lot of marks. I think iirc the grade 4 needed 144 marks.

ConBatulations · 22/10/2026 18:30

There is nothing on the exam certificate to say which tier she did so the only benefit to taking the higher tier would be if she needed to know the content for A levels which it seems she doesn't.

Look up grade boundaries for the exam boards she is taking to reassure yourself that she doesn't need a high % to pass foundation tier.

Hales113 · 22/10/2026 17:46

If your daughter is achieving 5 by Christmas time, then it's reasonable to consider doing Higher.

TeenToTwenties · 22/10/2026 11:05

TeenToTwenties · 22/10/2026 10:57

The list is on this thread Page 3 | How to move from 2 to a 5 foundation maths GCSE? | Mumsnet

Edited

Just relooked. I was in error before you need the first 3 to be 'nearly there', as you definitely need ratios as well.

TeenToTwenties · 22/10/2026 10:57

The list is on this thread Page 3 | How to move from 2 to a 5 foundation maths GCSE? | Mumsnet

LIZS · 22/10/2026 08:59

Curlyandconfused · 22/10/2026 08:35

school recons that she can get a 6 or so in science with a huge amount of self study but she just doesn't have the energy. I have no idea how secure her knowledge of foundation. Her first mocks will take place before Xmas so we should have a better idea then but it feels all like far too late.

I hope she scrapes through somehow and then a start from zero at 6th form. The big question is - what is the most effective why if getting there this year.

She needs high grades for English lit and school has only allocated 1h per week to English Lit GCSE so she is focusing on self study there. Again no mocks, no feedback from school on practice papers. we have absolutely no idea how she is actually doing.

Edited
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She can get up to a 5 on Foundation. If she could achieve 4/5 without further self study that would be a better option for her.

Original poster
Curlyandconfused · 22/10/2026 08:57

double

OP posts:
Smartiepants79 · 22/10/2026 08:54

Do Foundation. If she works hard then a 5 is possible but the much less content was a game changer for my DD. She still did higher science so I don’t know about that. Is she doing triple or double?

PrincessOfPreschool · 22/10/2026 08:46

A science teacher may know better but in my opinion, it may be easier for her to get the grade on higher if she knows a few topics quite well. The requirements for a 5 on the higher paper are quite low so it may actually take the pressure off if she knows she only has to get x number of marks. It depends how she can cope with being faced with questions she can't do but knowing she doesn't have to. The questions will be harder but for a bright child she should manage if she knows half the topics to a higher level. I'm thinking if she missed a lot it may be easier to have that strategy. However it really depends how school are supporting and if they are only teaching foundation at this stage of Y11 then I'm not sure why they've suggested higher paper.

TeenToTwenties · 22/10/2026 08:41

Foundation maths should be a walk in the park if she is mathematically able. Even with the odd slip up.
There is a thread around somewhere where a tutor gave a list of topics in the last couple of days.

  1. Was understanding numbers, place value etc.
2 was fractions, percentages and decimals including 'best buy' questions. You can almost pass on those alone.
Original poster
Curlyandconfused · 22/10/2026 08:35

LIZS · 22/10/2026 08:27

If she is unwell she won’t be able to put the required extra effort in and the last thing she needs is extra pressure to do so. However you need to have a frank conversation with the school about her potential and realistic goals for gcse. What could she achieve if she took them tomorrow? Year 11 seems very late to do this, but if she can get enough for her college course with little extra effort then she can start afresh afterwards.

school recons that she can get a 6 or so in science with a huge amount of self study but she just doesn't have the energy. I have no idea how secure her knowledge of foundation. Her first mocks will take place before Xmas so we should have a better idea then but it feels all like far too late.

I hope she scrapes through somehow and then a start from zero at 6th form. The big question is - what is the most effective why if getting there this year.

She needs high grades for English lit and school has only allocated 1h per week to English Lit GCSE so she is focusing on self study there. Again no mocks, no feedback from school on practice papers. we have absolutely no idea how she is actually doing.

OP posts:
LIZS · 22/10/2026 08:27

If she is unwell she won’t be able to put the required extra effort in and the last thing she needs is extra pressure to do so. However you need to have a frank conversation with the school about her potential and realistic goals for gcse. What could she achieve if she took them tomorrow? Year 11 seems very late to do this, but if she can get enough for her college course with little extra effort then she can start afresh afterwards.

LukaModricsMidriff · 22/10/2026 08:26

Potential issue of sitting higher tier papers is that you can “drop off the bottom” of the grades and get a U. Much better to get grade 4 or 5 on F tier than nothing from H tier. Papers are also far less cognitively demanding for science for F tier

Original poster
Curlyandconfused · 22/10/2026 08:22

Thanks, I just read it can be also harder as you have less room for errors in the lower paper. I would like to take as much pressure out as possible. She was once on track for 7-9s across a range of subjects when she was still in mainstream and we have let that go a long time ago. We just need to her to get the grades she need for her Humanities based a levels and to get to hopefully 6 GCSEs in total. But dropping to foundation seemed too simple. I don't know if I am making much sense. I have a tendency to overthink.

OP posts:
BirdLandedonmyHead · 22/10/2026 08:13

If she can meet the requirements for the A levels she wants with 4/5s in Maths and Science, dont add extra stress she doesnt need.

TeenToTwenties · 22/10/2026 08:10

She doesn't need more than a 5, hasn't covered the content for higher grades, and is unwell.
Seems like a no brainer to stick with foundation tier.

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