GCSE help please

[Claw3]

Ds 16 received his GCSE results, he got 9 C grade, including the basic English, science, but failed math with D.

He had hoped to stay on in 6th form to study sociology, psychology, politics and drama.

Now it gets a bit complicated. He did 2 'taster' days in school and was told C grades or above would get him into 6th form for these courses.

He then went into school to pick up his results, found out he had failed math so was not eligible for politics. This was crossed off in front of him and ticks put beside sociology and the other 2. He was then told to come back on enrollment day to enroll on the other 3 courses.

When he went to enroll, he was told he couldnt do any of the courses.

6th form went back to school last Thursday and Friday ds received a phone call from a friend asking why he wasnt there. Ds told him he failed to get into 6th form. Friend tells him his name was called on the register for 6th form.

I phoned the school and they told me, it was a mistake and that he needed B grades for the courses.

Sorry this is a bit long. But my questions are

1. Does this sound right?

1. Can ds re-sit his exams?

It sounds about right. Most schools I know would only be supporting B grade or above students in following A levels as they are far more demanding and it is generally thought that students achieving GCSEs below this level would struggle. Colleges and schools sometimes offer the chance to re-sit GCSEs alongside A level study. To be absolutely honest, as an ex-head of department I would support the schools decision. While it may seem unfair - and the lack of clarity certainly is - your son would probably find A level study very hard. If he could have achieved higher grades but has been lazy - like many teenagers are - then it may be worth resitting at a college. If he is not particularly academic perhaps a different route may be more suitable such as a BTEC? Were his grades as predicted? If so I would want to know from his teachers if they thought he could have done better. Does your son know what he wants to do after college? was he planning in going to University? If he knows where he wants to go career wise or not I would suggest he maybe see a careers advisor through connexions which could perhaps best advise him of alternative routes. Also, he may find that regardless of a degree subject, he may still be required to have Maths GCSE, especially with increased competition for course places. I hope this hasn't come across too harshly and has perhaps helped a little.

Thanks for replying bluefoot. I started a duplicate thread in education as wasnt sure where i should i post.

I have supported the school decision, if a B grade is what is needed, then that is that. Ds was just hoping that the mistake that was made ie his name being called out on the register, was a mistake in his favour!. The only unfair bit, was ds being given false information and hope, which the school have apologised for, so its just a question of what next.

He is a bright boy, but had a couple of very bad experiences last year, which affected him quite badly and interfered with his studies (although math isnt his strongest subject). He is adamant that he could do much better and really wants to resit.

I have told him about other college courses etc, but he really wants to do this.

Thanks Pixie, i will contact the school again today to see what options are available to him.