School Have basically given up on entire year 11

[ReformedWaywardTeen]

Our school have been questionable at best for a while. I've allowed a few concerns to slide, haven't we all, putting it down to unforeseen Covid related kiboshing.

Our school is different in that it starts GCSE studies in year 9 rather than 10, so they traditionally choose options in March of year 8. It was promoted as being helpful as work is more staggered and worst case they could swap a subject if they hated it in year 9.

So, DD was due to choose their options in March 2020, with an options evening for of all dates the first day of lockdown.

When it didn't happen we assumed they would cancel options picking completely. Except they didn't, we did it with just a booklet giving some idea of the curriculum. They were slow to organise online learning so no virtual event took place (not a surprise, these were very strange times).

DD ended up picking 4 subjects, 1 of which they were on the fence with.

Obviously, as we all know, life didn't go back to normal as predicted, and a few of us parents did voice perhaps by December 2020 that maybe they should start from scratch for year 10. The school was hit hard by Covid isolations from Octopus onwards, whole year groups were off due to a lack of teachers. Then we had the January to March lockdown, and within a week of being back they were on school break.

This has had a hugely negative effect on DD, they've gone from a confident kid to being a shell.

Year 10 was a nightmare, not just for DD, for the entire year group. They did tests before the end of term and it was, to quote one teacher, a nightmare. How it's taken school this long to realise how badly behind they all are and the knock on MH effect of lockdown is beyond me. They also hadn't taken up the government offer of tutoring.

Meanwhile, DS didn't pick his GCSE subjects in 2021 (year 8), down to covid, he waited until year 9 and had the benefit of talking to tutors to ensure they are right for him. He has entered year 10 last week full of confidence and is thankfully very happy.

The one constant we had was the school has always had a place for any pupil who wanted it at the school's onsite sixth form.

Until last night.

We had a curriculum evening, not unusual, but this time, they are about to become part of an academy.

Suddenly, the school has been trumpeting their top 25% results for GCSE this year and top 20% A'levels.

They have now said the kids won't get a place automatically, and of you think they won't do well, then start looking elsewhere. Charming.

They have to apply, have an interview, get grades and have an exemplary record of great grades. DD does not have that since Covid.

On the way out a lot of parents were angry. It felt like because they were going on about the top 20% score and they realised the tests done at the end of last academic year were terrible, they are replacing kids they let down by not responding to covid in year 9 effecting GCSE study to be able to show off.

My AIBU is whether I'm right to raise this with the headteacher? I feel like they've let them down so much and the lack of foresight with their year group is ridiculous.

Is this what happens when a school is an academy?

DD was utterly broken last night, saying they may as well give up now, as even the school thinks they suck and will fail. They know what they want to do post A Level and need GCSEs to do it. It's been so hard to try and reassure a kid who is totally adrift thanks to two years of carnage.

What would you do in this situation?

Yeah science, it's not ageism. They really are very unapproachable. I have tried emailing a few of them (different teachers for different aspects) to ask what we need to do at home, where are knowledge gaps. Did not get a response. When they've failed to appear at Virtual parents evening, I asked for a written report. Got no response. Asked the head of year and she didn't get a response either.

We had bullying in that class last year, because DD cried they were sent out. No support offered and headteacher said the tutor didn't know DD was having bullying issue sin class. This despite the boy involved actively shouting in their face. Headteacher dealt with the boy. But the trust has gone there with science and DD.

I think this may be my school.

If it is then I think the school has many faults but not giving automatic places to 6th form isn’t one of them.

If I was a hard working student and had to put up with 5 years of idiots in my class constantly messing around, I’d think it was so unfair that they’re then in my class in 6th form.

6th form should be a privilege and it should encourage them to work hard to gain a place.
I think it should be based on behaviour too.

I think the interviews are great too, as it is good experience for when they get a job.

I would hope that if the requirement is a 5 and your DD got a 4 then they would accept her based on behaviour.

She has 2 years to get her grades up.
It is definitely possible, especially in subjects that are coursework heavy.

In year 11 there will be extra revision sessions which she can take advantage of too.

My DD chooses her options in year 9 for year 10 which she has just started but we’re not worrying about her grades or 6th form yet.

“We were hoping that should they not do well at GCSE English and maths they could resist at school but that is part of the whole not guaranteed a place thing.”

So is the school no longer offering resits in Y12?

I’m not convinced by angry discussion on line - it’s very easy for parents to whip up a bit of outrage without a full understanding.

The reason I think there isn’t a full understanding is you also haven’t said what the grade criteria are.

I think the school has always had the right to refuse unsuitable candidates, just now they are giving Y11 a full year of notice not to cruise because they think it’s a done deal!

Your daughter is on a level 1?? Most schools expect 6 or above on their subjects for a level. They also need at least a 4 on English and maths - a 4 is a weak pass.

if she seriously is only on levels 1 and 2 then a levels are not an option for her. You need to look realistically at what she is capable of and what she can do.
CGP books and workbooks, bitesize home help from you etc

What would you do if your DD were in a good school and unhappy and not doing well academically because that also happens? Focus on your DD and the things you can do rather than worrying about things you can’t change. Part of teaching your DD to be resilient is to show her and help her to face challenges head on, think for herself and find her own solution.

Right, I would go at it that you need to draw a line under how it was all meant to be and start from where you are now. Point out to your DD what time she gets home from school and the potential number of hours on a school night to put some effort in and turn this around. Also weekends, usually full Saturdays and Sundays to work at this too. It doesn't mean all work but she will feel better if she feels she knows the content better. If you can, be available to help her stay motivated and feed her treats.

In this day and age a lot of information is online at your fingertips. Yes Seneca for science as it tests you. But also Free Science Lessons on YouTube or Primrose Kitten. Same with English I recommend Mr Salles who I feel is better than Mr Bruff. For maths Corbett maths has playlists depending on the exam board.

As she gets through year 11 then look at past papers, in fact if you can open up the paper and on another computer/laptop or just tab open up the mark scheme. Go through each question one by one, compare her answer with the mark scheme. Seeing the mark scheme means she can see what they are looking for.

Yes the situation is shit beyond shit, some schools have been massively affected by covid for staffing etc but it is what it is and she needs to look forward. Nail it this year and never have to learn maths again or English lang again. It is only September. If you post up her other subjects and exam boards we can point her toward some other resources to help her. Revision guides are great but can be very boring.

She has 2 years to get her grades up.
It is definitely possible, especially in subjects that are coursework heavy.

I think from the OP that this child is already in yr 11, not 10.

Our school do the same, pick options in year 8. My son didn’t have a clue what to pick, being at home and having to make those decisions without any support from school was hard.

Not sure what is best to advise op@ReformedWaywardTeen , other than the bottom line it's up to the individual if they want to increase their chances to succeed.
It's all well and good blaming x,y,z even if true, but then studying and learning still needs to happen to at least give themselves a good chance, it's no good just saying I give up or what's the point, as that thinking will certainly not achieve anything useful.

It sounds like your school was hit harder than most with covid lockdowns and disruption.

Moving forward. Plans B & C.

If she is looking at a Level 3 Extended Diploma BTEC there will be various entry requirements, possibly passes in English language & maths. What if she doesn't meet those requirements? Well, she can do a 1 year Level 2 BTEC in the same subject and then the 2 years at Level 3.

If she doesn't even qualify for a Level 2 course, she can do a Level 1 course followed by a Level 2 the following year.

You need to understand entry requirements so you can agree a plan of campaign (which could be ignoring a subject) and know where to focus.

You must make sure you look at and apply to other places.

MH is more important than anything, having plans will help with MH. Even if she passes nothing at all there will be options. (I have current experience with my DD).

My friend’s ds got 4s in all subject apart from one of his options, which he failed. He was capable of much more and his mental health was not great. He left school for college and is studying a BTEC.

Your dd would be better in a setting, where the teachers are concerned about your dd rather than at a school, where they’re only interested in the students with higher grades. Much as your dd could achieve these in an ideal world, they are not attainable for your dd right now. As a result, there could be a too large gap between the level your dd is working at and the level the school is working at. This would not help her and she would be better somewhere, they could cater for your dd’s needs and try to help her reach her potential.

Go to the head, the governors, the local papers, the national papers if they'll listen. Fight for your child. It sounds like the school wont be. They need sorting out. Awful. Parents have a surprising amount of power in things like this. Get other parents on board. Do not be quiet.
This is your child's mental health. Exams can be retaken, other 6th forms will have places, but your child's self-esteem, confidence and happiness could be affected for years. How dare that school!!!!

So yes to confirm, DD is year 11, DS is in year 10. DD picked option in year 8, March 2020, DS picked in year 9, March 2022.

They haven't really said what grades they expect. It all felt as if this change had literally just been decided as there were no slides for the projector for that bit.

I agree some parents do love for the drama on the online groups and after 5 years I can spot the ones by name. But this has been concern from parents you would never hear a bad word from previously. It's why I've been able to reassure DD they aren't the only pupil feeling that all is lost.

We have tried to emphasise the need for after school revision. But they are so anti school work they get visibly upset by it. They literally don't want to discuss it.

They were not getting 1 or 2 grades until July, we have barely had testing due to covid. But the reports we got had nowhere near that low, with 6 and above even in maths and science.
That's why the grades were a shock when tested.

I think they lost a huge number of staff at the end of July which was surprising but I wonder if they were perhaps unhappy with changes made. DS is doing well but said he has noticed a change in atmosphere recently.

It's worth noting DS when he felt behind with a subject sat and used online resources. DD is the opposite. And we can't push too hard right now because it ends in tears and further makes her push back.

“Go to the head, the governors, the local papers, the national papers if they'll listen”

Complete with APILN photo?

A story that a school set a minimum standard for Y12 entry is not newsworthy.

Now if they’ve withdrawn re-sits leaving an entire town with no colleges / not enough places that do - take that all the way.

But an entry interview and passing exams is not a news story.

And fight for what? The school was clearly badly hit by covid.
It wouldn't help anyone to take pupils to Level 3 courses if they aren't ready for it.
They will still need pupils to do as well as they can otherwise their Progress 8 values will be dire.

“They were not getting 1 or 2 grades until July, we have barely had testing due to covid. But the reports we got had nowhere near that low, with 6 and above even in maths and science.
That's why the grades were a shock when tested.”

What do you think is her real level? There’s a huge difference between a 6 and a 1. Are you saying they over-reported during Covid, or that she is fully capable but her mental health impacted her exam performance? They are two very different issues. Neither of which is best approached at this time by arguing with school over their Y12 entry policy.

Fight for support for the student now! Fight for a plan of action, which may include dropping certain subjects, targeted help, extra work in the freed-up time, new, realistic targets and a plan of revision which is clear to stop the overwhelm, mental health support and careers and further education guidance so that there is excitement about going elsewhere and poss not doing A levels. That would be a good start, and a bare minimum for a half decent school.

DD can just ... stop. Just shrug it all off and think “fuck it. I’ll do what I can face doing and screw the rest”.

Shes not meeting her potential now due to the pressure and her poor MH. She might as well not meet her potential because she spends too much time doing fun things and improving her MH.

When she is ready, she can go back to studying. If she needs to resit all GCSE’s then start A levels, then would the world really stop turning, would her life be messed up? She’ll be a couple years older than she would’ve been otherwise. That’s it. Unless her plans involve something where being young is important (Olympic athlete or supermodel...) then why does it matter? I’m in my 40’s and couldn’t tell you which of my colleagues are 36 or 38 or 34... 2 years makes no difference at all.

She can spend a year working, or volunteering or a mix or whatever she needs to. So long as she does something meaningful it won’t matter.

No worthwhile future employer is going to look at someone who, as a kid of 15, messed up school but picked herself up and did well thereafter and decide they’re crap.

I am sorry if your daughter is getting a 1 and a 2 for maths and English this is a bigger problem than A levels. She needs a min of a 4 to pass these subjects before she can do a lot of things I think.
I would go to the head and say she has anxiety and can she drop an option she does not like much and use this time in the library to study more.
Please google inattentive ADHD - do you think she has this? I am a bit shocked at her current grades if she was predicted a 6 for maths etc (sorry if I missed something.)
Worth her looking into T levels too - or redoing year 11 as another option.

Absolutely ask for how they can support the DD through the GCSEs.

But the OP's post seemed to be primarily about how they shouldn't be putting academic entry requirements in for 6th form. That is quite reasonable and not something to kick a big fuss up about.

Did she revise for her end of year 10 exams?
Did you help her revise / test her?

Go to the head, the governors, the local papers, the national papers if they'll listen. Fight for your child.

Why?? Because the school have made a decision that she doesn't like? This will achieve nothing except make OP look unhinged. Schools are allowed to make changes to their policies and procedures! As long as they are not failing to meet any legal requirements obviously, which they're not in this case. Some changes may not be popular with parents, but that doesn't mean they're not necessary.

It is highly unusual and frankly, completely bonkers, for all Y11 students to be automatically entitled to a place in Sixth Form regardless of their ability. It makes no sense to set kids up to fail by allowing them to undertake A levels in subjects they couldn't achieve a decent grade in at GCSE. Why put them through the stress when they clearly won't cope? I would put money on them having a much higher than average number of students drop out midway through sixth form. It is entirely normal practice for existing Y11 students and those wishing to move from other secondary schools to have to meet entry requirements and interview for a place at Sixth Form. Not doing so is failing to adequately prepare them for the world of further education or employment.

They were not getting 1 or 2 grades until July, we have barely had testing due to covid. But the reports we got had nowhere near that low, with 6 and above even in maths and science.
That's why the grades were a shock when tested.

OK, that sounds like exam panic is the problem rather than actual knowledge of the subjects. So practice papers and further mock exams (and a decent amount of revision!) may well be most of what’s needed.

One of mine once got 2% in a mock exam. It’s a much better time to do it than the real thing.

Are you seriously saying that a 16 year old could fail every single one of their GCSEs, having shown zero aptitude or commitment to study - and this school may have advised them about alternatives but if they’d wanted to study a levels at the school, they would have. Despite not passing any GCSEs?

come on op.

If many parents are angry then it would probably be best to request a meeting with the head with parents together.

Academy Trusts do not like negative press attention so think about speaking to local press and making some collective noise on social media.
Also try your local MP. Some are quite vocal about such things.

My son's school is the only school in the country which has changed Trusts.
The old one tried to make us share our Head with a local school (saving themselves a ton of cash by not replacing the retiring head of the other school, which would have left 2 schools with a part time head in the process) and we kicked up a right old stink. After disappointing meetings with Trust representatives, a month of kicking off on SM, local press involvement & local tv involvement our local MP got involved and brought it up in parliament.
A bunch of us made banners and turned up at an education conference they were attending.

Let's just say, we embarrassed them more than a tad AND we got to keep our head.

Get together and make yourselves heard! The kids have been let down enough.