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Original poster

How many GCSEs is the norm these days??

32 replies

alexaisrising · 23/03/2023 20:11

DS is early secondary but in an autism specialist school and we need to think about the KS4 plan well ahead of others in mainstream (according to the professionals!) and figure out with school what they can offer etc.

He has a profoundly gifted IQ but struggles with many aspects of education so it's anyone's guess how the exam system will go for him but currently he's doing well, thriving and has tons of potential to do well.

When I was at school we had to do 10 GCSEs inc a language, a humanities and an art subject on top of the usuals. That doesn't seem to be the case anymore? What subjects are expected for college or a levels as we want to plan for the best so he can go on to whatever it is he wants to do.

Thanks!

OP posts:
MintJulia · 23/03/2023 20:17

DS is at a non-selective independent. He's doing 9, including
2 x English
Maths
1 x MFL
3 x science
Geography
D&T

He had the option to do ten but chose to do nine and aim at higher grades.

RubyDarke · 23/03/2023 20:31

Both my DC did 12 at local non-selective comp and did very well (10 Grade A*, 7 x Grade 9, 3 x Grade 8). Both did a range including sciences, languages, creative (Music /Art)

This was good enough to get Oxbridge interviews (and with straight A* and A at A levels) places to study at their first choice colleges.

LER83 · 23/03/2023 20:49

My ds has just picked his GCSE subjects for September and it seems apart from English, Maths and Science it's a bit of a free for all! He's picked Geography, History, Computer Science and Media Studies! Decided not to do a language. To help him we looked at what sort of subjects he would need if he wanted to continue with Geography at A level and beyond, (his absolute favourite subject) and went from there. When I did mine we had to have a language, arts, and a 'technical' subject, and could only do one humanities. I did 10 GCSE whereas ds is only doing 8.

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General education SEN
BrainOnFire · 23/03/2023 20:53

It varies by school. My DC (state school) do either 9 (including double science) or 10 if you do three separate sciences.

NotCopingWell1 · 23/03/2023 20:55

I think 10 was common a decade ago. I went to a grammar school and did 13.5. Totally unnecessary and now I'm older I realise quite unusual.

LIZS · 23/03/2023 20:56

8-10

arethereanyleftatall · 23/03/2023 20:57

10 at my dds state grammar school.

2 English, maths, triple science, a humanity, a language, a creative, a choice

AnotherNewt · 23/03/2023 20:58

9 or 10 typically

Maybe 8 for some, ranging up to 11 for those who do further or additional maths

Phos · 23/03/2023 21:00

Probably 8-10 is usual although at some schools you may get some doing 1 or 2 more e.g. at our local one, top set Maths all sit Further Maths and high performers can also take Latin or Greek as an extra option.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 23/03/2023 21:01

9 was the norm for our local school (30 years ago when I did mine and now as my DD does hers). I actually did 10 plus another a year later but I was the exception rather than the rule.

Stokey · 23/03/2023 21:03

Dd1 at grammar school will do 10 - 3 science, 2 English, maths, 1 MFL, 1 humanities and 2 options.

Most of the local comps seem to do 9 though and not compulsory MFL. They tend to have groups for 2 or 3 sciences. But at least one has compulsory RE.

Bobbybobbins · 23/03/2023 21:05

My school is starting to form a partnership with a local special school to tutor students who are able to take GCSEs in the subjects that the special school can't staff. I hope your son's school can work out a great pathway for him.

stillherenow · 23/03/2023 21:09

Mine at state school is doing 12, which I think is a bit nuts. Extra language, and further maths , both suggested by the school and taught after school.

Original poster
alexaisrising · 23/03/2023 21:10

Thanks, all useful info. Looks like 8-10 is the norm which is higher than we were all thinking.

The most he could probably do is double science, 2 English, maths, history and 1 other like art or computer science - so 7. Would that make it difficult to go on to the next phase? (Obviously no idea what that phase would be or look like which doesn't help!)

OP posts:
Original poster
alexaisrising · 23/03/2023 21:13

Bobbybobbins · 23/03/2023 21:05

My school is starting to form a partnership with a local special school to tutor students who are able to take GCSEs in the subjects that the special school can't staff. I hope your son's school can work out a great pathway for him.

Thank you. It's a totally different type of schooling at SEN. One that is truly wonderful, nurturing, holistic and life changing. But can be tricky if you're a very bright child at times. I would never swap more GCSEs for losing the specialist placement though!

OP posts:
clary · 23/03/2023 21:14

8-10 is usual op, depending often on double or triple sciences.

For your ds, if you suspect that a lot of GCSEs may be an issue, he actually needs five or six passes. Focus on Eng lang, maths, at least double science, and then anything he wants to do post 16 (history, computing, drama, music, geography, art?).

clary · 23/03/2023 21:15

Sorry op x post. Seven GCSEs in a range of subjects as you describe is totally fine for A levels, college course, uni.

Boomboom22 · 23/03/2023 21:16

Generally sixth form counts your best six. Uni looks at the best 8 including eng and maths but as long as he has English and maths plus a levels ucas points come from a levels really. Doing 5 is the minimum if you are thinking possible gce and higher Ed in future.

Boomboom22 · 23/03/2023 21:17

But individual circumstances always apply and the fact he's doing so many in a special school will also count for a lot on any further or higher education application.

Dacadactyl · 23/03/2023 21:17

At DDs school most of them do 9, but if they're bright they do 10.

Original poster
alexaisrising · 23/03/2023 21:22

clary · 23/03/2023 21:14

8-10 is usual op, depending often on double or triple sciences.

For your ds, if you suspect that a lot of GCSEs may be an issue, he actually needs five or six passes. Focus on Eng lang, maths, at least double science, and then anything he wants to do post 16 (history, computing, drama, music, geography, art?).

Yes, whilst he's academically amazing it doesn't translate as well to execution of work / exams etc so I suspect doing it all will be a lot for him and we need to be mindful of his mental health. Then there's the schools limitations as well.

OP posts:
Original poster
alexaisrising · 23/03/2023 21:23

Boomboom22 · 23/03/2023 21:17

But individual circumstances always apply and the fact he's doing so many in a special school will also count for a lot on any further or higher education application.

Thank you, yes, just hoping for enough opportunities for either a levels or college IF that's right for him when the time comes.

OP posts:
Ihateapples · 23/03/2023 22:55

Depending on your child’s school and especially given his potential academic ability, you may wish to start an early dialogue with the school to see if there is an option for him to take 1 or even 2 GCSEs subject(s) early (in year 10). Many specialist schools group by individual subject ability and do not follow the standard chronological age approach, so he may have the opportunity to cover the curriculum sufficiently to enable that to happen by yr10.

It can be a really good boost for their confidence, give them valuable exam preparation experience and also mean that he can then focus on the other 5 or so subjects taken in year 11.

Colleges will normally be looking for him taking at least 5 GCSEs at one sitting, so I would avoid taking less than this in a single exam year if he wants to progress to A levels etc.

You may wish to be sure that he gets all the necessary exam support build into his plan early enough (scribe, using a laptop, extra time, etc).

If the school cannot offer a GCSE subject that he really wants to do or is one which may be beneficial for his future plans, it is possible to get that written into his EHCP and the school arrange for the exam to be held there. He can then study it independently online, with a tutor, etc, but take the actual exam in school, alongside the school taught subjects.

It is very heartening to hear of his positive experience in the specialist school and demonstrates that it is possible to have choices, whilst ensuring all aspects of his needs are met.

Wazzzzzuuuuuuup · 23/03/2023 23:02

My dcs did 9 at state school (youngest is y11 now). Counting back (on fingers and toes!) I did 11 in 1997, including compulsory religious studies. I also had 2h of PE to y11, but no exam. I was offered Latin as a 12th GCSE but couldn't be faffed.

I can only surmise that schools spend more time on core subjects than previous.

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 23/03/2023 23:07

DD did 9 but I have 11 and that pissed her off 😁

I would have thought 7 would be entirely normal, and maybe better in some ways. More chance to absorb information in each subject.

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