Question about senior school sets in KS4

[jossbee]

Ds has been told today - last day of term - that next year he will be moving down a set in maths. This is despite him getting some of the highest scores in his class in his exams throughout the year. I haven’t bothered ringing today as it’s the last day and I don’t think teachers will be up for discussing it. I wouldn’t usually interfere but this will affect which paper he can take at GCSE level (foundation only if you’re not in the top set).

Ds is quite downbeat about it as he had done so well in his exams. Does anyone in the teaching profession know why this might be and how I can approach it in September with the school?

How can a school expect students to pick gcse option subjects if it doesn't give an idea of their abllity/attainment level?

One of they key things I asked in y9 was 'if she does this for gcse, would you expect her to pass'. First a different child i might have asked get at least a 6'

I'd definitely inquire with the school (and do it now, people will be monitoring emails over the summer, even if they don't reply for a week or so).

But my son's school changed sets during (not even at the start of) Y11 for reasons for staffing etc and it was all fine. However, if it has an impact on what level paper he can sit, that is more than just a reshuffle and you need to understand why they think he can't cope with the harder paper. I think the majority did higher in my son's comprehensive.

So our school did an options evening and parents evening before options where it was discussed, not in terms of grades but in terms of suitability to do the subject. If a pupil chose an option that wouldn’t be suitable then there was a separate discussion.

What score did he get in his maths sat at the end of year 6. That should help you work out what his target grade should be.

And definitely email the school for clarification.

Ask
what his target grade is.
When decisions are made about higher or foundation for gcse
And ask for reassurance that he can do higher gcse. The which set is of secondary consideration to being able to do higher if he is capable