GCSE sets - neither of my kids are happy

[Bika]

Hi, just want some perspective before I go into school/if I go in.

I have twin DDs in Y9. At there school the core GCSE subjects are organised into sets (Maths, English, Humanities, Languages and Sciences). The sets are decided based on the Y9 tests which are done under exam conditions before the Easter holidays. It's a 120 kids per year school, each subject gets 4 sets. Humanities (Geography and History) get 2 sets each and languages (French and German) get 2 sets each.
There is a well known issue in the school that if you fall into the bottom set of Maths you have to be in the bottom science set regardless of your score. Your science score only decides where you will be in the top 3 sets if you make it. This is because triple science gets 9 periods a week, combined science only gets 6 with the remaining periods being allocated to maths (2) and English (1). I know lots of parents don't like this as your child could do really well in science but not be allowed to take the triple science route, or they could be in the top set of English but have to do an extra period of English each week.

Friday was results day for these tests and they were allocated sets accordingly.
DD1 only has one issue, she's been put in top set maths and she doesn't like this as they have to do further maths if you are top set, she wants moved down a set so she can avoid further maths. This makes sense to me as DD isn't a lover of maths.

DD2 has a lot of issues. Now during the week these tests were done DD2 was very anxious and panicky and did not perform her best.
She has been allocated bottom set maths, DD wants to work in medicine so she is really unhappy about this. She says having asked her friends her science score would have had her in between the top set and middle set but instead she is in bottom (she scored slightly lower in science than her sister who is in the middle set). Shes been allocated bottom for English, Geography and German too. I think it's salt in the wound that her sister has been allocated top set across the board except science. It's a grammar school so the bottom set are still expected to do well they just move a little slower and typically experience more distribution. No one is offered foundation papers unless it's special circumstances I believe.
Today I emailed the head of year asking if there is a review period or opportunity for resits as DD is really disappointed. He replied saying no resits are offered and while there isn't a defined review period between now and the actual exams they will consider reviewing it on a case by case basis.

I'm thinking of requesting a meeting. I don't imagine there will be much fight over DD1 wanting moved down a set, even if there is it's not the end of the world and if she finds it difficult once she has started it can be reviewed.
However I wonder if there is any way we can make some changes for DD2 who is really unhappy, even if just in Science/Maths.

AIBU to want the school to consider moving DDs sets as they aren't happy or is it a case of "you got what you got suck it up" ?

I think it's worth a discussion. Imvhe, sets are allocated by computer algorithm as you say, bottom set maths equals bottom set science, regardless of scores or previous performance.

I think the reason they put you in lower set science is so that you can have the extra maths and English lessons as those are the ones you really do need to pass. By all means arrange a meeting to discuss this with her tutor, but I suggest approaching it from the point of view of asking what you need to do to get her into the higher set. The most immediately obvious plan is to improve her maths enough to get her to move up a set. Perhaps the school could agree a certain level she needs to achieve to move up. If your in a position to afford private tuition that might help. Private tuition can be expensive, especially if you go through an agency, but if you can find an undergrad maths student who you can contact directly that's probably your cheapest option.

So if the issue she wants to do medicine but is only being allowed to do double science not triple?
If so, then go in and clearly say this, though you can do Science A levels with double science.

If the issue is also she is concerned she won't be taught grade 9 material in maths then check this also.

But if she is anxious and panicky maybe best not to be in top sets?

Is the nationwide? My dd is in year 9 and they haven't done tests or been told which sets they are in.?

No no, every school will have their own methods, may not use sets at all etc, this is just what my DDs school do.

Absolutely not. Schools do their own thing.

Ex-maths teacher.

It's easier to argue your DD's case if you have evidence that she seriously underperformed in the year 9 tests.

Look at her previous end of term/end of year results. Are they consistent with her end of year 9 results? What does her teacher think?

In general it is quite hard to do very well in science if your maths is not good as chemistry and physics really do need decent maths skills, however if the whole school do the higher paper this is less likely to be a problem.

I mean the system kind of makes sense in that giving extra periods for those struggling more in subjects like maths and English need the extra times.

She doesn’t need triple science though. But by all means go and have a chat and see.

Each school is different. My oldests they are in which set matches their ability though. My friends child is middle math, top English, top science triple, bottom geography and bottom German.

You don't have to do triple science GCSE to get into medicine, school (failing comprehensive) only offered single or double science. I got offers for medicine with double science. A level choices and grades are much more important, most wanted Maths Chemistry and Physics, so its more of a concern that they didn't do well in Maths test, GCSE Maths is a doddle compared to A level, so if struggling at GCSE level then may not get required grades at A level.

I appreciate that you said anxiety meant that possibly didnt perform as well as could have in the exams. So might need to give consideration around whether if DD2 struggles under pressure, if medicine is the right route for her? Despite getting the grades and offers, I knew that I would really struggle with high pressure environment of medicine, and decided not to pursue it.

I wonder how low a bottom set is for maths/English in a grammar school? Grade 6/7?

You don’t need to do triple science to do science A-levels. My dd did double then A-level biology.

It makes sense that the maths and science sets are linked.

Take any evidence that you have to the meeting so that you can prove that the end of year exams were not her normal ability. Eg earlier assessment scores from this year. There will always be students who are borderline for each set (say top of set 4 but bottom of set 3) so it might not be difficult if she normally performs well.

I’d be asking the school about how fluid the sets are. My kids were moved sets during their GCSE course but it sounds like your school has much less variance in ability so the sets may not be doing drastically different material anyway.

She can absolutely do medicine with double science but she needs to nail the maths so it makes sense