To want 9s not 7s for my child in their GCSEs?

[ZeldaFighter]

Child is a model student and no problems with behaviour or attendance. Definitely seems intelligent and diligently completes homework, often without prompting.

Report is 6s and 7s. Husband is pleased and says they're As and Bs. He thinks only kids in private schools doing extended papers get 9s.

I got As, Bs and Cs many years ago but I always strived for As. AIBU to think they should be getting 9s or at least striving for them?

I remember when the 1-9 system came in people were claiming that all 9s would be of the order of 1-2 students in the country. Not %, individual students. I remember arguing at the time that it would be more because so many of the factors that lead to 9s tend to cluster. So a small % but still a decent number of students is much more what I was expecting.

Here's a thread from the time - I'm in there somewhere under a different username saying that it'll be a lot more than 2 students :) It got a bit bogged down discussing whether or not teachers should have a stab at predicting 9s.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/2887164-DfE-Data-Cruncher-predicts-number-of-students-who-will-get-straight-9s?page=1

But I've learnt here that 7 is an excellent mark and not a C, which is how I mentally thought of it.

Re the above. This is why I hate with the heat of a thousand suns this grading system.

I hate that three of the grades are a variation of an A so by default a 4 sound really low when in fact it’s a C. Which when I was at school was considered a respectable grade!

My son’s grades are largely 4/5 which make him sound mediocre. When in reality he’s trying really hard, and would be passing everything if these were his GCSE marks.

There are a handful of people saying the OPs son should be trying harder, that if he’s getting 7s with minimum effort he could easily get 9s. And maybe he could - but it’s a personality thing isn’t it? Maybe he’s happy to coast. Maybe he’s lucky he can do minimum work and get good grades. And maybe one day he will look back and wish he’d tried harder. But like my granddad used to say, you can’t put an old head on young shoulders.

Same @kierenthecommunity a C sounds much better than 4 out of 9’and here a 7 is seen as just not good enough which an A never did

Ouch, calling or treating your dyslexic child as lazy is likely to have a huge impact on them and their self esteem. In the nicest possible way I think you may need to reflect a little on the boxes you’re putting them in.

The moment the kid starts sixth form it won't matter at all what the GCSE grades were. And it will never matter again.

I've interviewed and employed dozens of young people - post A-levels and post-University. I don't think I ever asked about their GCSEs, and certainly not about their grades. But if I had, I would have considered a 6 or 7 average very good going.

What really got those young people the job, by the way, was an engaging personality and apparent self-confidence. And those are not attributes that are developed by kids who have been told by their parents that they are a disappointment and that they ought to do better.

Maybe you want the grades for you, rather than for the kid. But, believe me, all nines does not indicate that you're a better parent than sevens would.

PM

in education all my working career and now run voluntarily run a charity. Please back off. Agree totally with @poetryandwine

@PointsSouth
"The moment the kid starts sixth form it won't matter at all what the GCSE grades were. And it will never matter again."
Definitely not true I'm afraid. DD had a 5 for English GCSE. She needed a 6 for her preferred uni course, so had to make different choices.

I'm surprised at that, but I stand corrected. What course did she want to do?

It isn't really up to you is it? I wouldn't put such heavy expectations on them. I would suggest you support them, especially emotionally, and lay off the pressure. You'll do more harm than good if you carry on.

I agree OP. As a parent you’re powerless to hold schools to high standards. My ND kids have been dumped in low sets in maths and science from early age and have no chance of getting more than a 5 - currently failing. Yet they aspire to university in subjects they are strong in. But there’s nothing we can do to hold teachers to account because they’re stressed and busy, plus they can’t serve all kids’ needs.

I'm proud of my grades but I will never forget the one that got away.

Surely you did your GCSEs at least 25 years ago? It's really time to move on.

You are not being unreasonable for wanting your child to do well, however if they are getting good grades now as long as they have enough marks for college, uni apprenticeship ect. Does it matter? In 10 year time when they are applying for jobs no one is going to be asking about GCSE results they will be looking at what their last job and experience was

I think to a certain extent gcse grades DO matter - a 4 in English and maths for example (or functional skills) some things will require more such as 6+ for degree etc

what doesn’t is the 7-9 bracket

It's really tough to get 7s. And kids who get 9s are often in a different league completely. Or they have no life.

Be proud of your kid getting 6s or 7s.

If you'd like them to have a chance look online for videos about how to get 9s, watch YouTube Clips and use things like BBC Bitesize.

Isn't the point more that GCSEs are a passport to the next step which opens options to the next step.

Not that I think a DC should be pushed.

This thread is interesting to read as the mum of a child who has a health condition and is only able to sit 4 GCSEs, with grades likely to be 4-6. I really wouldn't call a child doing a full set with predicted 7s lazy or underachieving! I think some people could do with touching grass and counting their blessings.

As long as they are working hard then yes you should absolutely be happy with 6's and 7's. I'd still probably pay for a tutor in an attempt to boost grades a bit/help with revision. But there isn't too much else you can do really. Support them and encourage hard work but don't indicate what you hope for/expect from them as that's a lot of pressure.

Oh please, you can want but they are great grades. I despise the new system, originally an A then an A, now A*. It makes what were fantastic accomplishments marginalised and very unfair. Your DC is clearly conscientious and working to the best of her ability, be proud not wish for more! Xx

When I was at school ( early 80’s) a ‘C’ grade was considered to be a good mark to get. Anything above that was exceptional!!! My ‘O’ levels were all ‘C’s and some ‘’B’s and it was considered that I had done really, really well, at the time, but looking at my results with today’s eyes, it looks a bit mediocre!

My youngest child is one of the tiny % of children in their secondary school with an ECHP. My eldest child is possibly dyslexic but has not been diagnosed so has received no help.

I am very aware of what a blessing it is for me and them that the middle child is academic, clever and independent.

Part of the issue is that I am concerned we, as parents or me as mother, are not giving the middle child the support to excel further if they can because we are focused on the other children who need us more.

I'm also concerned that because the oldest child will struggle to get 4s, the middle child looks fantastic in comparison but could actually need support and encouragement to do more.

Do people really believe that all pass GCSEs open the same doors m the next stages?

Lots of schools and colleges will require an 8 to do A Level Maths. Most will want a 7 for other subjects or minimum 6 at GCSE.

When applying to uni, higher ranking ones and popular courses will want a string of GCSEs above 7 for you to be competitive against other candidates. To get offers you’d need A and A star predictions - which are not likely for candidates with GCSE LEVEL 6/7.

Of course A levels and degrees aren’t for everyone but a large proportion of the population want to do them and it’s simply wrong to say GCSEs orca Leveks don’t matter.

When firms recruit for grad jobs, most will filter by A level grades as one of their criteria. I’m the first years of a career your qualifications DO matter. Yes, later on experience counts but you have to get your foot in the door.

Not everyone can be academic and for lots, grades 5/6 which are pretty much average are a great attainment. But why should someone capable of much more not be encouraged to strive for more? To tell them their GCSEs are just a passport to next stage and the grades, as long as a pass isn’t true and doing them a massive dis-service to say so.

Remember there’s been big grade inflation since we weeee at school - far more passing and far more were getting As. It’s why the A star and then 9 were introduced because so many had the top grades, unis and workplaces couldn’t distinguish between them. Someone with a 7 at GCSE MATHS’S most likely A Level grades are D/E. It doesmatter.

Not everyone can be a top achiever but over 30% get grades 7-9 and about 15-20% get 8/9. that’s a lot of kids. State schools achieve lots of 8/9 and many kids are capable of getting some of these grades. Many won’t get them across the board but will get some. More could get them if they worked hard and aimed higher.

Work ethic is important. It’s a parents job to encourage it and that isn’t abusive or setting unreasonable expectations.

That is a different question though - if you were to ask AIBU to think my middle child might get lost and his needs not met then no you aren’t. Whst I think you are asking for is ways to help him reach his full potential

There are very, very few scenarios where getting a 7 instead of a 6 matters. And even fewer when getting an 8 or a 9 instead of a 7 is important. My DD is doing A Levels now and we can’t even always accurately remember her GCSE grades!

You and your DS should know the minimum requirements for whatever he needs to do next and aim for at least that, plus building good study and organisational habits.

TBH I would be more concerned about your oldest right now. You say he “probably” has dyslexia. Why isn’t he getting tested and getting extra support??

Just because someone gets 7s does not mean they can’t be lazy. Some ‘bright’ students could get 7s with no work but be capable of better with some revision.