I got it wrong, the school doesn't want DD to do 14 GCSEs

[KatyMac]

Only 12 plus 2 Btechs

That's not fair

Are the Btecs in subjects she wants to do or are there any of her choices she doesn't want to do? If there are subjects she isn't going to enjoy then 14 gcse's is completely counter productive. I don't get how schools can't see that students will do better doing a more manageable number of gcse's in subjects they'll enjoy

She does:
GCSE Spanish & Geography over yrs9 & 10 (options she chose)
GCSE Maths, RE & Science (double or triple depending on he grade in yr 9) over yrs 10 & 11
GCSE Eng lang Yr 10
GCSE Eng Lit Y 11
Btech Dance & Science in Yr 9 (she chose Dance)
An option in Yr 10 & 2 options in Yr 11

I think it's too many

That sounds like a ridiculous workload. My DSs do 11 spread out over the two years and including a creative subject (both chose DT). Although all the exams are at the end of year 11 I think it's a good way of doing things as at the end of year 10 my boys definitely weren't mature enough to knuckle down to revision. Anyway universities can't descriminate againts people who have a more realistic number of gcse's; IMO you're only losing out by doing more.
By the way, why does you DD have to do Btech science if she's already doing dual or triple, that sounds a bit silly to me!

They all do Btec in yr 9 then depending on the results they do 1, 2 or 3 sciences in 10 & 11

It's too much isn't it?

Your poor daughter. What sort of school is it?

Average comp

& DD is an average child - you know set 3 - average

I just don't get doing exams in year 9 personally, they're designed for 16 year olds! All that happens is that the majority of students will get mediocre results in year nine and better results in years 10 and 11, meaning that the exams they took earlier won't be looked at. If there are other parents feeling this way would you be able to speak to the school about it?

I agree but halfway through Yr 9 I can't see them changing

Poor DD - I think we will prioritise some subjects and 'dump' others

Maybe this is normal?

Maybe I worry ove-much?

I don't know - I did 8 & stuggled with them

completely normal in our school

I thought they'd stopped early GCSEs?

& they get good grades for all 14?

I'd rather she did 8 & worked had at them

She is doing:
Btech Science & Dance at the end of yr 9
Spanish, Geography, English Lang, Science & an option at the end of yr 10, then
Eng Lit, Maths, Double/triple science, RE, & 2 options at the end of y 11

yes so far - dd in yr 9 and already has an a and a c.more to come in the coming weeks and of course next year.she seems to cope fine.

my kids went to a selective grammar & did 10 GCSEs (ones who were exceptionally good at Maths - not mine ) - took Maths in Y10 & Statistics in Y11 but otherwise it was just 10

DC1 took them in 1998, DC4 in 2009, both just 10

they all got places at RG universities so 10 seems like enough

& DD isn't even doing A levels never mind uni

She is average, she will need to work hard

Sounds a bit much. DDs school does 11 + .5 citizenship but (AFAIK) all exams in yr 11. But that's a high-achieving GS. The private schools round here do 10 .

They always say uni admissions tutors prefer 8 good solid GCSEs to a dozen wobbly ones.

The Btech science thing sounds a bit weird. Can't they tell from assessments which pupils should do 1/2/3 science?

Sounds ridiculous. DS is at one of the most acadmic schools in the country and did 12. He did 3 in Y10 and the rest in Y11. It was hard work and he was very stressed last year. DD will probably do 10, possibly 11 if she does three sciences.

You say your dd is doing BTec Science and the Double/Triple award I don't understand that at all - nor the dance at the end of Y9.

DS is at a very academic indie where the expectation is A or A*. He will do ten, 9 of which are academic, and all in Yr 11.

This has meant that he has dropped several subjects, including geography and Latin fairly late when he would have covered most if not all the GSCE syllabus. This is in direct contrast to his cousin at an "ordinary comp" who has been pushed through a large number GCSEs. My son's school would argue that a good crop of GCSEs sat at the same time and with good grades look better. I am just pleased that the exam and revision burden is reduced.

I've always thought that higher grades on fewer gcses is worth more than average grades on a greater number, so I'd agree with you, Katy. It's certainly true for entrance to a good uni, which is what a lot of schools are aiming for.
Do they give a reason for their approach? Have they ever said why?

Oh dear
I was hoping everyone would say I was fussing

I guess I'm not fussing t hat much then; it is a concern

I think that spread over 3 full years it is not so bad.

The btec science is ludicrous tho and will be of no value to her whatsoever (assuming she does and acheives a min of 1 gcse)...and it is a reasonable workload too as there is lots of coursework and researchy tasks.

Maybe I am missing the point, but why she "needs to work hard" if she is not going for further education? She can get her C's and be happy.

She will have to work to get Cs (based on her current forecasts)