GCSE '18s (19) - New Beginnings?

[whistl]

Following on from the GCSE 2018 threads as our DC enter year 12.
This the first thread in our new home in further education

Hi alexander, the problem with some teaching and Mr Bruff/Mr Salles etc is that it is often aimed at reaching the high grades and what you need to do to get those top marks. I'm not sure what is out there to help someone access the info and apply it to get a pass. My DS was in the same position as yours (though may be for different reasons) and he needed help to actually get an answer down in the first place and his teacher just didn't get it.

Having had A* DDs we were also struggling to really know what a pass looked like and what you needed to do to get a pass. On the poetry for instance he was often trying to answer the question quite specifically and literally whereas often the question is a bit irrelevant (unless going for top marks) and to pass you actually just need to get down a few relevant points about each poem.

We got to the point where at Easter DS still couldn't get an answer down (in spite hours of trying and some tears !!) but his sister worked with him over the holidays and gave him a basic structure of 3 or 4 simple paragraphs he could use for each question and a simple intro and conclusion for any eventuality, They knew they wouldn't get a high mark but would be enough for a pass. They then practised essay plans for all sorts of answers and the exact time he would spend on each (all rounded up to simple chunks as he got confused with time as well) It was great as once he got confident with the basic structure he then in the exam added in some of his great ideas and expressions he hadn't been able to use before and ended up with a really high mark.

Sorry that was a bit of a ramble and not sure it made sense but I think what I'm trying to say is often people think DC with SPLD don't have the content but what they need is help applying it. We needed to start from basics in terms of what to say in each question then work up from there - is that seeming your DD could help with may be in the holidays.

Also don't worry if he continues to struggle for a while - DS did right up to mocks - it was only with the masses of practise between Easter and May that the penny dropped which is why I suppose he had struggled before when for in school internal exams you only get time for a quick review of each topic and don't have the revision guides to plug the gaps in the notes.

sandybayley - do it next year! I would definitely recommend it. Beautiful, scenic route and not too hilly (just gently undulating). They have camping on site for those who have a fair distance to travel (although there are nearby B&B's and hotels aplenty too), and the most brilliant race village with live acts on stage the day prior to the races and on race days, plus lots of food stalls and shopping opportunities

LimitIsUp nope. Think I am going to be ok about it all. Am a boarding school brat myself. Went young in 1980, to 1990 so being away for education seems like the normal thing to do. And she travelled round South America last year with my niece for four months. As long as she's happy, we're happy. If she doesn't like it, then it's going to be a nightmare.

Thanks for your comprehensive reply. Dd got 8 & 9 in english but she did Edexel, she feels she knows exactly the "formula" to get top marks in that syllbus but ds will be doing AQA which dd says has a different structure.

You are exactly right in that its getting the answer down in the first place.

He is worried that he has been told they won't look at R & J again until Year 11, yet all they have done is watch the DVD and discuss the main plot points. He's had very little practice in actually writing any answers.

He is in the very top set for both maths & science, and the very bottom set for English. Some of the children in hs set are in nurture groups for numeracy & literacy and so will be taking reduced number of GCSE's.

Well then in that case fingers crossed that she is happy and settles in fine

That’s frustrating Alex, can he be moved up a bit. DS benefitted from a great teacher in year three who moved on to a ‘higher table’ because she recognised somehow he was bright even though he still couldn’t read. What they need is to be in sets with their intellectual ability group but with additional help to access and record the material. Unfortunately most schools aren’t currently able to provide this.

DS was told by his yr 11 history teacher that he got 97% on his igcse History paper which is a very nice boost, especially as it is one of his A level subjects.

48/50 on one and 49/50 on the other

We were told in Year 9 that sets could be moved but apparently he hasn't demonstrated to them that he should be.

Results of dd's baseline assessments. She's in the higher group for jazz (yay!) the lower group for ballet (expected) and the 2nd of 4 groups for tap (vertically streamed across all three year groups) so she is pleased. She's had research/referencing workshop this morning.

Just had an email from school. Dd's French teacher has spoken to dd and they want to get her speaking paper re-marked (they are offering to pay). What do you think? The Grade boundary for a 6 is 132 and for a 7 152. I think she got 148. It was her only Grade 6, everything else was higher but she doesn't need French for anything.

If they are paying its a big enough difference to chance it I'd say Alexander

I'd do it given that they are paying and it might get rid of the 6.

I'd do it but try and make sure DD doesn't get her hopes up, its most likely to stay the same

Maybe I am a tad oversensitive but I bridle a bit at "get rid of the 6" as my dd has two of them!

Plus a 5

When it’s Ds turn we will be celebrating 4’s & 5’s if he manages to get any in English. I’ve told him to aim for 6’s in his other subjects except music & maths (7/8)

DS3 and DD are both aiming for 6s. Possibly the occasional 7 if the wind is blowing in the right direction. And realistically, a 5 for DD's English.

Alexander my DS2 with ASD scraped a C in both English language and lit, but he had a scribe for exams and controlled assessments which helped as he could spend time in those. The new exams just aren't aimed at lower achieving DC. DS used Mr Bruff a bit but lots of practise in class at the type of questions to come up was most useful. He struggled with revising at home, he needed help to focus and promoting to complete work, (still does) and I couldn't provide that well enough at home.

Your DS sounds similar, my DS got an A in maths and B in science and IT. Not amazing results but definitely his strong point.

*prompting

Some good news there Alexander, your DD must be pleased.

Meanwhile DD has started at college and is pleasantly surprised to only have 15 hours of lessons each week. We've reminded her that there are another 15 hours of study periods in college, not to mention the dreaded homework, but her timetable gives her chance to keep her job and meet us in time for Friday night rugby matches. Hurrah!

@cherryburn DS has decided not to go for a review, I think for him as time has gone on and he's getting stuck into 6th form GCSE's seem a distant memory, although if his Dad was supportive of him it might of been a different story!

Pleased to hear that everyone seems to be settling in well. DS had his maths test today, although you can re-take if you don't pass and if you still fail they just have a talk suggesting that you might struggle but no-one is actually asked to leave.

Stickerrocks I think you mentioned yesterday about calling into some Uni's over half term as you would be in the area, you could try emailing the admissions departments of the ones your DD is interested in as they might show you around...just a thought.

LimitIsUp I think you are a bit oversensitive. Sorry. I certainly meant no offence.

DS has one 6, and whilst there is absolutely nothing wrong with a 6, it is a shame he is not be able to say "they were all A-A*" (but he can't because, unless it was badly mismarked or a whole page of marks weren't counted, he deserved his 6). That's all.

School are being very unhelpful over DD's possible German remark. They are not paying, even though I used the inconsistent teaching card. I just don't know whether to bother or not. Listening was a good mark so that will stay as is. Head of MFL says only worth reviewing speaking and writing. I'm still looking at a bill of nearly £90!!
I'm only considering this because her German tutor was absolutely gobsmacked and she got a 5 in the mock, was expecting a 6 and got a 3!
I'm just unhappy about the cost.