GCSE teaching advice needed

[lurkeylurker]

Ds (ASD) is academically quite able and hopes to go to uni. He is at a specialist school that assured us that he could take GCSE's there (which is predominantly why he was placed there). He is going into year 10 and currently really anxious that he won't be able to achieve what he needs to. He believes that the teachers may not all be fully qualified and may have not taught GCSE's before .

School have said that whatever subjects he wished to take at GCSE level could be catered for at the school. My main worry is whether a teacher who is not a specialist would be able to teach a subject to GCSE level. I would appreciate any advice on this.

It can be the case that a teacher teaching GCSE classes might not be a subject specialist. It could also be the case that there are NQTs in their first year of teaching doing GCSE classes. However, this would be relatively uncommon - most schools will try very hard to avoid this situation. If it is unavoidable then there would be plenty of support for the teacher with that class.

It might be an idea to discuss your son's worries with the school at the start of term.

All qualified teachers have A levels, or other level 3 qualifications and a degree. Whilst they may have not specialised in a particular subject that your DS wants to take the subject content at this kevel means in the main you don't need subject specalists (I think you would find that the vast majority of secondary schools have non specalists teaching GCSE). It would also not be in the school's best interests (Ofsted) to not ensure your DS can access the subjects he wants to do.

My youngest DS's special school work with a local secondary school if someone is able/wants to do a certain subject/GCSE to ensure they can access the support - something Ofsted like)