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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

DS only sitting 4 GCSEs

25 replies

ChipTheTeaCup · 10/07/2018 23:25

I've only just realised the consequence of a letter I received last week.

After choosing his options, DS has only got one subject of his choice - History - and then Maths, English and Science. As he has struggled (August born) over the years academically they have gave him extra maths, English and history, presumably to bring his grades up.

I've just realised that even getting the desired marks he will only come out with four GCSEs.

As far as I can recall, most courses/jobs etc. required at least five A - C grade GCSEs. I know the grading system has changed so the grades will be numbered.

WWYD? I don't want him doing extra core subjects instead of other subjects of it is just to boost the English and Maths stats of the school whilst being detrimental to him in the future.

Thoughts?

OP posts:

Original poster

ChipTheTeaCup · 10/07/2018 23:26

So many typos from quick typing, sorry!

OP posts:

Thehop · 10/07/2018 23:27

My sons Letter said his choices and English/science but it didn’t mention the other subjects that he’s also taking...languages and art for example. There are quite a few not mentioned, is it worth checking with school?

PickleNeedsAFriendInReading · 10/07/2018 23:27

In most schools, English is actually two separate GCSEs, literature and language (very occasionally just one, language), and Science is typically at least two, sometimes three, depending on the variant of the course he is doing (very occasionally can be just one, but it's quite unusual).

So unless he is really only doing the single English Language course, and the single science course, he ought to come out with more than four.

AdventuresRUs · 10/07/2018 23:28

Is English double, and maybe science? So 6 altogether?

EllenJanethickerknickers · 10/07/2018 23:30

Science will be two GCSEs worth. It's a double GCSE, combined science. I'm surprised that he's not doing more, though. 8 is the minimum for most schools. Is he not doing English language and literature? That would make it up to 6 GSCEs.

MrSlant · 10/07/2018 23:30

I would have thought science is at minimum a double award which would bring him up to 5. Also not being able to fit his desired subjects into the matrix of subjects on offer might just mean he ends up doing something else that wasn't a first choice, my two both had to shift around what they wanted and do something that might not have been first choice. I would email the head of year and cc in whoever has been in charge of the extra help, I'm sure they will put your mind at rest and help explain what will happen.

sleepytiger · 10/07/2018 23:31

I'm a teacher, we do this at my school too. It's more beneficial for the kids to pass English and Maths by having extra lessons in them than doing additional subjects that they probably won't pass. However at my school both Science and English are two GCSEs so they would have 6 in total.

PickAChew · 10/07/2018 23:33

Is he not doing any gcse equivalent courses?

sleepytiger · 10/07/2018 23:33

We only offer this option to kids who will realistically really struggle to get any A-C grades (old grades obviously.)

YoucancallmeVal · 10/07/2018 23:34

If he is finding it a bit much, better that he concentrates on 4 and gets the best grade he can. He can always do another one or two after that but if if it's a bit tricky at the moment for him, at least the pressure is off a bit and he can focus on the ones he's doing.

AJPTaylor · 10/07/2018 23:35

if there is any way for him to get passes in english/maths it will be worth it.

Ted27 · 10/07/2018 23:43

Maths and English really are essential, its not about boosting school stats. Employers will be looking for Engish and Maths, as will colleges.. Its far better that he does fewer and get them, than do more and end of failing because the anxiety, pressure and workload is too much,

We are in a similar situation, my son is doing the Maths, English and Science and two BTecs - sport and ICT. Personally I think its still too much.
Have you actually looked at your local college prospectus? At our local college there are about 30 courses he can access with two to four GCSEs.

Its also not a case of now or never. He can go to college and do a few more GCSEs if he wants.

gillybeanz · 10/07/2018 23:45

He is probably doing combined science = 2 GCSE's, English lit and Eng lang = 2 GCSE's, Maths = 1, History = 1 giving the total of 6, which is brilliant.
So many schools would love to drop the many GCSE's kids are asked to do but only the private schools are brave enough usually.

Mine only had one option as everything else was compulsory and at her school they take 8 in total. Colleges and uni's really don't bother how many you have don and usually ask for the best four or five results.

DarklyDreamingDexter · 10/07/2018 23:55

You're asking the wrong people. You need to check with the school. Each school is different, but as others have said, some subjects are doubles. Even if it does turn out they only want to put him in for four, you should talk to the school about your concerns.

gluteustothemaximus · 10/07/2018 23:58

Sounds like 6 GCSE’s and sounds brilliant. Less pressure, and more likely he’ll pass his core and most important subjects.

CarrieBlue · 11/07/2018 00:01

Single Science GCSE no longer exists, so Science will be two GCSEs. There are GCSEs in separate sciences (so Biology, Chemistry Or Physics) Or Combined Science which is all three making up two GCSEs.

seventhgonickname · 11/07/2018 00:02

Science will be double,if it were single it would be biology,physics or chemistry which few schools offer now.There is no single science GCSE.

AlexanderHamilton · 11/07/2018 00:06

The school will actually be lowering their stats as his results will bring their Progress 8 score down so they are obviously doing it in his best interests.

He will get 6 GCSEs in total. Maths, English Lang, English Lit, Double Science, History.

Rumboogie · 11/07/2018 00:28

Slightly off the point but if he is August born and has been struggling throughout his school career he is surely in the wrong year.

I kept my August born DC back a year in yr 4 and they never looked back - acheiving A* in everything ultimately, having been struggling previously.
Might this be an option for your DC if he is underperforming due to being effectively a year younger than his cohort?

Homemadearmy · 11/07/2018 01:14

The maths is now 2 GCSEs as well as it split in maths and numeracy

rumboogie I didn’t know that you could keep them back a year, I asked for my struggling summer born when he was in year one and was told it wasn’t a option.

PickleNeedsAFriendInReading · 11/07/2018 09:22

the maths is only split in Wales, I believe - is that where the OP is?

AlexanderHamilton · 11/07/2018 09:23

Maths is not 2 GCSES unless a student is also taking Further Maths (usually top set children).

There is a separate numeracy qualification in Wales only I believe and a Functional Skills qualification for lower ability /those who have failed to pass their maths GCSE.

LIZS · 11/07/2018 09:26

English will be 2 - language and literature, Science will be 2 or 3. Is there no language option?

adaline · 11/07/2018 09:27

English is two GCSE's (Literature and Language) and Science is often double or triple. So he'll come out with at least six, possibly seven.

Original poster

ChipTheTeaCup · 11/07/2018 13:43

Thanks, I know when I did my Science in 2000 it was a double award but I'm sure English was 3 grades that counted as one. I will speak with his school. If it's the case of him having 6 stronger grades then I am happy with that. I know English and Maths is the most important but also that some places require 5 GCSE good grades so wasn't sure if there would be a problem.

I did consider holding him back a year but by the time it was clear he struggled, I felt he was too far into school to hold him back and would have caused a stigma from his peers. He left primary school with good average SATS so I've always relaxed to an extent(after paying out for private tuition courses!) and trusted that he will catch up in the end!

OP posts:

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