Rights as parents if child down graded in math for GSCE level

[Mumsi1]

I was wondering if anybody out there could tell me my rights as a parent, when my child has just been downgraded by the school and now cannot take higher math GSCE papers but only foundation paper. I personally think that every child has the right to be educated and being given the chance to do higher math. Is streaming not just a way for the school to look good? I would really like to convince my school to put her in the higher set. How could I do that. So grateful for any response. Really disappointed and angry. Many thanks.

She was a NC level 3a in Y9?
That is what we tend to expect from our Y4 children, so I can understand the school's concern if that is what you meant.

Maybe there should be 2 3as

This is what we do in science but only if the data supports the likelihood that the studants will be able to deal with the complexities of the concepts that are covered for the higher paper.

Do you mean 3a is a class level? As in an A set, B set, C set?
In the support class, she will have more time and support to read and understand the questions that are confusing her, to gain more points and a secure level.
You do need to go and talk to the school and ask them to explain their reasons.

I think Op means her dd is in set 3a

Thanks MC, I did wonder!

Not quite, SauvignonBlanche - we're also judged on our residual ie. performance against predicted grades.

If my group have an average target of B, I can assure you the HT would be extremely unhappy with Cs. Ofsted would also be decidedly underwhelmed.

The '5 A* to C inc. Eng & Maths' is just one easy-to-understand comparison figure, so it gets widely reported. It's the least of my worries as a classroom teacher - I aim for to hit/exceed individual students' targets.

so did I!! had to read it through a few times... (we are so level obssessed )

No I meant her set was Y9 set 3a. Our school has 5 math sets (1,2,3 a, 3 b and 4). On her last reports she had a 6b (and actually the whole year)

I'd keep pushing it OP (but pls discourage her from thinking of any kids as losers!)

RavenAK - if my DS were to get a D or below when he gets to maths GCSE, I would encourage him to retake. If he was in the 'Totally no' category who had no chance of getting above a D first time round, I'd rather he didn't sit the exam at all until the following year and with more preparation. Possibly my concern is misplaced, but GCSE maths and English grade C or above, preferably without having to retake, would seem a pretty high priority.

Ok, well a 6b would probably put her on the C/D borderline at GCSE, but hopefully closer to a C than a D. May be worth approaching school about a January (or even June in Yr 10) sitting.

By the way, I hope I didn't come across as being all "parents are the enemy" earlier. DH would love for someone to beat the C he'd predicted for them, but he's always been right so far.

I would say that if she's not too confident and is predicted a C or below, a foundation paper sounds like the best option. If there's any chance of a B, then the higher paper would be the only choice butfoundation is definitely better for a C.

Funny...as a science teacher I would be trying to get a B grade out of a kid with a 6b in science, definately. I would consider a C grade to be under achieving.

I wonder if maths levels are different.

For students in year 9 and 8 right now...re-taking will no longer be possible. All exams are going terminal (or is that just science?)

Well you see that adds to the confusion my other ds is a year above had level 6a and has always been in set 2. So it must just be this particular year. Anyway. I think I have quite a lot food for thought now and will be better prepared for the meeting with the math teacher. Thank you.

I have targets of Bs for any child with a 6b in yr9. I think they will all get them too. That's maths. It depends on the school though. We actually teach our set 3s everything up to grade B topics then decide in year 11 who should do F and who should do H.

I'm afraid I haven't managed to read the thread, so this may already have been said....

If your dd is genuinely not a higher level student, moving to foundation is actually a really good idea. It is much easier to get a C doing foundation (although you cannot get higher than that) than it is on higher paper. The teacher may well think that there is a real risk of her missing a C (which realistically you need to get anywhere, although there are exceptions of course, and i have no wish to offend anyone) on a higher paper so she is much more likely to get that grade on the foundation one. For many students doing the foundation paper makes a C grade secure where it wouldn't have been on the higher paper.

HTH and makes you feel a little better.

Sorry, looked back and seen that i have basically repeated other posts.

Schools are not just judged on A*-C, they are judged on the levels of progress individual chidlren make during a Key Stage. A child on a 6b in Year 9 ought to be a secure C at GCSE at the very least. It may well be worth you making an appointment to discuss this with the HOD, but do listen to what he/she has to say. If your DD lacks confidence, then being at the top of a set may help, IYSWIM.

wildkat - absolutely agree it should be a priority.

The reality is, though, that for some students a C or above just isn't do-able (it'd be a pretty meaningless qualification if that wasn't the case).

If I had a dc with a predicted D & two chances at it before the end of year 11, as they have now, though, I'd be encouraging him to take advantage of both opportunities in the hopes of a better than predicted outcome in one of them (& paying for extra tuition).

Exams are indeed going terminal for current year 9s Migrating Coconuts, which is another good reason to get the tier right & not shut off options too early. I'd've thought Higher for a 6B student tbh, so definitely worth keeping abreast of the situation Mumsi1.

Coconuts, it is different for maths because only about a quarter of students make 'expected progress' in maths from KS3 to GCSE (it's over 50% in English for comparison). So while in English you might predict a B from a level 6, in maths a C is more likely to be the outcome.

Resits are still possible. My DS is Y9, and they are looking at early entries to give a chance of resits if necessary. There is still January as wel as June, and think they have just said an autumn sitting has been confirmed by the exam board.

I think Ds will be sitting his next June.

Yes, you are correct raspberry...but you would have to resit everything rather than just one part. (coursework too).

Mumsi1; from what you describe with your dd, it sounds as if she may be suffering from maths anxiety - now a recognised condition. Some children become so anxious at the thought of maths (and other related subjects), that their performance is significantly affected. (Of course, she may just be putting undue pressure on herself to the same end.)

Maths anxiety, if that is an issue, is treated by CBT. (I know that doesn't particularly help you with the current issue but you always have the chance of doing the higher GCSE privately, if you wish.)