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Original poster

Thinking ahead re YR9 options

34 replies

circular · 12/02/2010 13:30

First ever post here, apologies in advance for the length.

DD in YR8 very keen on science, always wanted to do triple. In top set for eng, maths & science. Eng. weakest subject.

School groups everyone into one of 4 pathways, with only the top/most acadamic pathway doing the 3 sciences.

Recently had parents meeting. Good feedback on all subjects (although skipped PE,Art and ICT).

Slight alarm bells when talking to the RS teacher (DD G&T for RS). On mentioning that DD 'may' not be able to fit RS in as a GCSE option as once 3 sciences and a language (optional) chosen, only 2 choices less. Which are likely to be geog (also G&T)and music. Was told that it was not only necessary to be a good academic all rounder to be in the top pathway BUT the following is also considered (in no particular order):

  1. Year 6 Sats results
  2. End of KS3 targets
  3. Parents education
  4. Postcode
  5. Parents marital / social status

Re 1) - school do not appear to have these hence nothing set for 2)

Unsure of the context any of the above are considered in - so not yet clean if DD will be at a disadvantage.

Anyone else come across this?

C

OP posts:
webwiz · 12/02/2010 14:04

I'm sorry have I read this right - your school is saying your child's postcode and parents marital status will affect which academic pathway your child follows I have never heard anything so outrageous in my life - why aren't you hopping up and down with anger? An academic decision should be based on academic information.

I think I looked a bit scruffy at DS's year 8 parents evening last night - will they decide he can't do triple science because my social status isn't high enough? The choices for DS will be based on the levels he achieves and the teachers assessments of his ability not the fact that there are some small terraced houses in our postcode and they might affect module 2 in chemistry

TheFirstLady · 12/02/2010 13:55

Is this a church school? I've never heard of anything other than the child's own ability and achievements being taken into consideration when streaming children. How do they justify this? Or were you too gobsmacked to ask?

Remotew · 12/02/2010 13:55

What type of school is it. Ours is a state comp. No grammar around this area. They should only take the child's ability into consideration.

Original poster
circular · 12/02/2010 13:53

Without getting too political, I dread to think which way round these factors are being considered.

Incidentally, I was told this was a curruculum thing, not the school. Standard type of form everyone fills in - but won't see it till next year.

OP posts:
Original poster
circular · 12/02/2010 13:50

I think if judged on academic ability alone she should be OK for the 3 sciences.

My main concern is how the 'other considerations' influence the decision as to whether she will be alowed to.

OP posts:
Remotew · 12/02/2010 13:49

Was just about to correct myself. The RS is half a GCSE unless opted for to do the full.

bruffin · 12/02/2010 13:48

You have to do a half GCSE in RE anyway. At DCs school the only way to do a full GCSE is through a twilight class which i assume is an extra choice.

I started a thread the other day. DS has only 3 choices one of which has to be technology which leaves him just 2 choices to cover languages, humanities and things like business studies.

PardonMyClench · 12/02/2010 13:47

How can they consider anything other than the childs ability? Marital status; parents education. How dare they? That is outrageous.

Remotew · 12/02/2010 13:42

Not sure if I can add anything useful. Our school gave us 4 options in addition to Maths, English, 2 sciences and they all do RS at GCSE if I remember correctly.

Sounds like your DD should be doing 3 sciences and all higher tier papers for other subjects as she is a high achiever.

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