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Original poster

Stats GCSE in year 9? Good Idea or Utterly Bonkers?

30 replies

MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 19:19

First off, I rate ds' school very highly. But I am a bit aghast at this, especially as there has been notification (as far as know) to parents, and ds has dyspraxia.

I have talked to Head of Learning, and the Vice Principal about my concerns.

But ds won't even be 14 when he takes it (two days before his birthday!).

Ds seems unworried.

What do you all think?

OP posts:
Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 19:19

no notification...

OP posts:
nkf · 13/10/2013 19:21

Which GCSE?

Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 19:21

Statistics.

OP posts:
nkf · 13/10/2013 19:21

Statistics? I got confused. Probably unecessarily early. Is he very good at Maths?

OddBoots · 13/10/2013 19:21

Neither a good idea or utterly bonkers, it's not something I'd aim for but if my dc did it then I think I'd just regard it as a bit of exam practice, no great benefit but no real harm done. If your ds isn't worried then just go with it.

isitsnowingyet · 13/10/2013 19:24

If he's unworried, why not let him have a go? What do the school say? My nephew took a GCSE in Astronomy in year 9 and really enjoyed it, although it was lots of work..

Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 19:26

that's reassuring oddboots. That's how its been sold to them. He is in top set for maths, and all the top sets do it. But its timetabled as extended studies (farewell, origami!).

VP said he would not have been entered if they weren't sure he would get at least a C. I think because I did so badly at Maths it freaks me a bit. And having a developmental disorder is seems a bit counter-intuitive to push him for something early.

OP posts:
Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 19:29

Another worry is (perhaps I am looking too far ahead) is that if he has a C pass, that will affect his uni chances, if he needs higher grades. But I assume they would see it was taken early.

I just don't understand any of it, tbh!

OP posts:
creamteas · 13/10/2013 19:41

Many universities don't look at GCSE grades at all, and those that do tend to look at the best 8.

So it is highly unlikely that even if he did get a C it would make any difference to anything.

Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 19:44

right. I just want him to do as well as he can. without extra pressures.

OP posts:
Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 19:45

thanks creamteas!

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Talkinpeace · 13/10/2013 20:05

I did stats a level.

your kids school is bonkers

Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 20:15

is the gcse that hard?

OP posts:
Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 20:17

he is about 6b atm. there are others in his set who 8s...

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Talkinpeace · 13/10/2013 20:21

Stats is not hard, but its applied.
Therefore sits on top of the pure subject.
Doing the standard maths before the applied parts makes sense.
Doing applied before pure does not.
and actually I think ANY GCSE in year 9 nowadays is cruising for a bruising as modules are gone.

Stats is wonderful stuff, but you NEED to have a good grounding in pure maths to be able to fiddle understand it

Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 20:33

oh dear. well, I just hope he scrapes a c a doesn't feel crap if all his mates do better. that's my real worry.

OP posts:
Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 20:35

Its a new secondary, so this is the first year they have a full year doing gcses. I know they have done stats before, and did well first year, not so good the second.

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Talkinpeace · 13/10/2013 21:18

Unless he's sure he can get the A or A*, tell them to let him wait till he's done the pure. THey cannot force him to take an exam.

Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 21:20

The problem is Talkin it would devastate him not to do it. Its taken years to build up his confidence...badly bullied by kids and a teacher in his primary. doing this has made him feel part of something special. I can't take it away from him now.

Which is why I am so cross it was not discussed with me beforehand.

OP posts:
Talkinpeace · 13/10/2013 21:30

OK,
in that case study it with him .... stats is great
there are lies, damned lies and statistics
as part of my A level we tested the average number of matches in a box
hundreds and hundreds of boxes
and then piled the lot up and lit it - marchmallows as part of an A level Grin
a good grasp of probabilty (Bayes in paticular) will make it easier - and more fun.

Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 21:34

I wish I could. but he would never let me. Ah well. I just have to hope their confidence in his abilities are spot on.

OP posts:
Talkinpeace · 13/10/2013 21:36

It'll be fine.
There are some really good popular science books about stats that might help as reading around ..... if nothing else then you can help with the homework Wink

WorrySighWorrySigh · 13/10/2013 21:49

There is something to be said for getting early experience of taking exams. My DD took a GCSE in year 7 followed by an AS in year 9 and A2 in year 10. All excellent experience. Lots of opportunity to get DD practiced in good exam technique.

Original poster
MadameDefarge · 13/10/2013 21:50

He knows how crap at maths I am.

But you are right, it will be fine.

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 14/10/2013 21:26

If he is only working at a 6b I think it is a little over ambitious to do a GCSE in 7 months time.

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