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Original poster

All 9s at GCSE….

295 replies

CurlewKate · 08/04/2025 10:54

Less than 1.5% of candidates get all 9s at GCSE. I wonder why so many of them seem to be Mumsnetter’s children! 🤣

OP posts:
MiserableMrsMopp · 09/04/2025 12:02

nearlylovemyusername · 09/04/2025 12:00

MiserableMrsMopp · Today 09:10
Of course not. Perpetuating the system of privilege. And when Oxbridge et al are forced to take contextual information on students into account, there is uproar from the privileged saying it's unfair.

Sure it's Grade 3?

So 80% of your income is coming from privately educating families, am I correct that it's tutoring? remaining 20% is from state tutoring? yet you're so conscious about privilege?

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Almost. Not quite. Better interpretative skills though! Grade 7.

noblegiraffe · 09/04/2025 12:06

noblegiraffe · 09/04/2025 11:21

800 papers isn't a lot?

What examiner training tells you that IGCSE 7 = GCSE 9? Markers also only mark papers, they don't grade them, so what data are you talking about?

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I'll repeat this question because you seem to be ignoring it in favour of snarking at people.

What data are you basing your assessment of grading on given that examiners don't grade exams?

IAmNotASheep · 09/04/2025 12:08

strawberrybubblegum · 09/04/2025 09:38

Getting all 9s at a state school that needs improvement is certainly impressive. Especially without extra help from parents/tutors.

Not necessarily more impressive than the kids at a private school, a grammar school or a decent comp who got the same. Those kids might also have achieved all 9s in the failing comp - no way to tell.

They may also have gained other impressive achievements and accomplishments in the better school. And what the students have learned (all of it) is now part of them, and feeds into what they can accomplish next.

Students should certainly not be held back from further education and jobs which they are equally able for due to having gone to a poor school. But it's also wrong to assume that they are automatically more deserving.

The obvious solution is to improve the failing schools...

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Well said Strawberry

mondaytosunday · 09/04/2025 12:09

@MiserableMrsMoppcan you back that up with evidence? It seems acceptable to top unis as equivalent so I find it hard to believe.

nearlylovemyusername · 09/04/2025 12:09

I could propose that you attack me because you feel guilty about giving your children an unfair advantage.

is this for real?
Every morning I see crowds of nearby state secondary kids going to Greggs grabbing a donut and Lucozade for breakfast on their way to school. My DC have hot home cooked breakfast every morning without fail. Do I need to feel guilty about their unfair advantage?? I'm yet to see a parent who's busting their guts to do the best for their kids to feel guilty about it.

queenofthesuburbs · 09/04/2025 12:11

IBloodyLoveMyBlanket · 09/04/2025 11:26

I'd like to see the Venn diagram that includes:
all 9s at GCSE
child of a MNer
6 foot
strapping
rugby player

And grade 8 in three instruments

IAmNotASheep · 09/04/2025 12:11

noblegiraffe · 09/04/2025 12:06

I'll repeat this question because you seem to be ignoring it in favour of snarking at people.

What data are you basing your assessment of grading on given that examiners don't grade exams?

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Miserable rarely responds to questions of proof.
Either providing any themselves or to those who have offered it.

Its opinion based on very little by the sound of it …..

OriginalUsername2 · 09/04/2025 12:13

MiserableMrsMopp · 08/04/2025 14:05

I'm an examiner.

Plus, ask any teacher who taught IGCSEs in the brief period 10-15 years ago when state schools trialled them.

Not pointless when they are accepted as equal grades, while actually not being comparable. It's why private schools offer them. Guaranteed higher grades.

Edited
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Is this true?! Seems like a massive scam for the better off.

nearlylovemyusername · 09/04/2025 12:13

nearlylovemyusername · 09/04/2025 12:00

MiserableMrsMopp · Today 09:10
Of course not. Perpetuating the system of privilege. And when Oxbridge et al are forced to take contextual information on students into account, there is uproar from the privileged saying it's unfair.

Sure it's Grade 3?

So 80% of your income is coming from privately educating families, am I correct that it's tutoring? remaining 20% is from state tutoring? yet you're so conscious about privilege?

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Sorry, missed your post about you doing marking.

I do hope you're given MS and stick with it.

IAmNotASheep · 09/04/2025 12:15

nearlylovemyusername · 09/04/2025 12:09

I could propose that you attack me because you feel guilty about giving your children an unfair advantage.

is this for real?
Every morning I see crowds of nearby state secondary kids going to Greggs grabbing a donut and Lucozade for breakfast on their way to school. My DC have hot home cooked breakfast every morning without fail. Do I need to feel guilty about their unfair advantage?? I'm yet to see a parent who's busting their guts to do the best for their kids to feel guilty about it.

I’m afraid these days those of us who do the best for our kids ( normal parenting I would have thought ) which sets them apart from others means they are privileged .

the definition is very watered down these days by isn’t it 🥱

queenofthesuburbs · 09/04/2025 12:15

Yes I would be really concerned that @MiserableMrsMopp might allow her prejudice to influence her marking….

IAmNotASheep · 09/04/2025 12:17

OriginalUsername2 · 09/04/2025 12:13

Is this true?! Seems like a massive scam for the better off.

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No it’s not.
See previous posts with evidence.
This is Opinion based, absolutely nothing more

In fact it’s quite the reverse which is why course work has been reduced for GCSEs.

queenofthesuburbs · 09/04/2025 12:18

Re breakfast… my DD can’t face anything to eat first thing in the morning and often asks me to drop her at Greggs for a sausage roll and cup of tea 🤣

IAmNotASheep · 09/04/2025 12:18

queenofthesuburbs · 09/04/2025 12:15

Yes I would be really concerned that @MiserableMrsMopp might allow her prejudice to influence her marking….

Agree.
Teachers should never be so prejudiced.
Very worrying isn’t it!

IAmNotASheep · 09/04/2025 12:23

CurlewKate · 09/04/2025 10:54

Tedious to see the state school bashers arriving….
Caveat. If there has been private school bashing and I missed it-that’s tedious too.

Oh there’s lots of private school bashing
Its expected isn’t it

Lets say their exams are easier and only clever kids go to state schools…..oh ok. 🤣🤣🤣

nearlylovemyusername · 09/04/2025 12:26

Out curiosity went to check 2023 AQA and iGCSE maths past paper (higher), last questions only, they normally are the most difficult ones. I really can't say GCSE are harder...

queenofthesuburbs · 09/04/2025 12:27

nearlylovemyusername · 09/04/2025 12:26

Out curiosity went to check 2023 AQA and iGCSE maths past paper (higher), last questions only, they normally are the most difficult ones. I really can't say GCSE are harder...

Would you say they’re the same standard?

Sometimesidont · 09/04/2025 12:31

What's this about? One of my kids got 10 grade 9s in 2019, state school. No tutoring. So what?

Ubertomusic · 09/04/2025 12:32

MiserableMrsMopp · 09/04/2025 11:42

Nope. Hate the system. But by all means continue with your imaginary scenarios. 80% of the children I work with now are privately educated.

Try harder. Grade 3. Incorrect interpretation of evidence provided.

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You cannot hate the system, you work for it as per your claims. You ARE the system.

Pathetic hypocrisy.

noblegiraffe · 09/04/2025 12:32

queenofthesuburbs · 09/04/2025 12:27

Would you say they’re the same standard?

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It doesn't really matter if the questions are the same difficulty or not if the grade boundaries are different though.

The IGCSE maths I looked at was different to GCSE - only two papers, no non-calc paper which could be considered making it easier, but then there was more difficult content in it which isn't on the GCSE so it's hard to say either way. But then I also haven't looked at grade boundaries.

Ubertomusic · 09/04/2025 12:33

queenofthesuburbs · 09/04/2025 12:15

Yes I would be really concerned that @MiserableMrsMopp might allow her prejudice to influence her marking….

Yes it is very concerning.

noblegiraffe · 09/04/2025 12:35

Marking is moderated.

Ubertomusic · 09/04/2025 12:37

MiserableMrsMopp · 09/04/2025 11:42

Nope. Hate the system. But by all means continue with your imaginary scenarios. 80% of the children I work with now are privately educated.

Try harder. Grade 3. Incorrect interpretation of evidence provided.

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You have not provided any evidence to your claims that iGCSE are easier BTW.
So zero marks I'm afraid.

nearlylovemyusername · 09/04/2025 12:42

queenofthesuburbs · 09/04/2025 12:27

Would you say they’re the same standard?

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I'm unable to answer this - I'm not a teacher, only have 1st in Maths. I'd say that iGCSE might be marginally harder due to the way the questions are asked.

Tiredalwaystired · 09/04/2025 12:51

noblegiraffe · 09/04/2025 10:07

Further Maths isn't a GCSE, it's a Level 2 Certificate so she can certainly keep making that claim Smile

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Not according to national statistics but thanks!