Maximizing chances of GCSE grades at 8/9 is essential

[Elizo]

Interested in views:

A child is heading for 7-9s. In a school where 8s/9s not v common.

Two views/ options:

Getting high numbers of 8s/9s is essential for top unis. Tutors/ work flat out and maximize chances of 8s and 9s. YANBU

or

7s are great so as long as they are on the cards no need to stress. YABU

I can’t read that unfortunately. I can’t see my DS wanting Oxbridge tbh (I went to Cambridge and would not push him to go but would support him if he wanted to). But in his school they are getting 0.5-1 grade less than top performing schools, per subject. I thought unis might account for that.

I’ve really enjoyed reading all the comments. I feel that the real impetus for those grades will have to come from him and he says he wants them, so let’s see. Even if he did decide he wanted to do something requiring v high grades there is always a way in my experience, for example applying with A level grades. That is what I did, not on purpose but how it worked out.

I'm don't think any university is interested in GCSE results... surely they're only bothered about A Level results?

The number of GCSEs pupils are expected to take seems bonkers to me. You only ever need 4 at grade 4 to get into college so all this 'must get 9s' is nonsense. And puts the mid-low academic pupils off! All this focus on high grades at GCSE level is really harmful to students who'll 'only' ever achieve grade 4-5.

The number of GCSEs pupils are expected to take seems bonkers to me.

Arguably veering towards bonkers low for a rounded education nowadays at some schools... but maybe would be better if they could do lots of subjects without having to do public exams for them all.

The number of GCSEs pupils are expected to take seems bonkers to me. You only ever need 4 at grade 4 to get into college

6 at grade 5 for my local comprehensive sixth form and grade 7+ if you want to study a subject at A-level.

All this focus on high grades at GCSE level is really harmful to students who'll 'only' ever achieve grade 4-5.
Grade 4/5 students are encouraged to do qualifications like BTECs here. Level 3 BTECs can be used for uni entrance too.

6 x 6’s for A levels anywhere here and usually a 7 or 8 in maths to do maths A level. Out school also needs a 7 in maths for economics a levld

Yeh sorry as others say you are not correct here. Taking A level in a subject where you achieved a 4 is not going to end well, unless there were exceptional reasons for the 4.

4x 4 is a great achievement for plenty of students for sure (would have been amazing for my ds1) but many need higher grades to continue. Lots of unis look for a 6 in English and maths; as shown on this thread, some unis or anyway some courses have higher GCSE requirements; and many sixth forms and colleges look for grades above 6 at least.

I have a degree and masters in a maths related field and work in that field have just been interviewing for a trainee role. The most academically able candidate (top grades in gcse and A level) was the least favoured person as they had no outside interests or part time jobs and spent a lot of time telling us about their marks in their modules . Being well rounded is much more important then high grades in the work place

Yes Oxford will look at gcses in the context of the school at which they were taken when considering applications. And the stats show the majority of gcse grades achieved by offer holders are 8s and 9s. However of at a poorly performing school if the applicant has better than the school performs then they may get an offer but they also look at personal statement, A level predictions and entrance test results too as well as performance at interview later.

Gone are the days of a 2 E Offer.

My eldest head's into yr11 this time.

Predicted grades are 5-8's. As long as he gets 7+ in the ones he wants to do for A levels then that's fine.

From a teaching perspective, i find 7 is the minimum requirement really to thrive at A level. 6 they do OK but often it can be the kids who stuffed up a bit who could have got 8s on a different day, etc can cope fine too. Those who were tutored or had to graft hard for a 6 are the ones who struggle to access the A level material.

Once you get past that point nobody is bothered about GCSEs other than maths and English at 5+ unless you're applying for Oxford/Cambridge or med school!

There's definitely a strong argument to say kids need to maintain a good sensible balance, and also to remember that when it comes to revision little and often starting in September is far more effective than cramming for a few weeks. If they can attend after school revision classes and do little bits here and there for each subject it'll pay dividends come exam time in self assuredness that they know the material well.