GCSE predicted grade reviewed from A-A* to C

[BlueBrightFuture]

DD worked hard on this subject both on the art work itself as well as research and annotations. She left her book at home twice this year… once she forget and left if by the front door and the second time because a piece she had worked on the night before had not dried properly. I know nothing about art but I think her books look well presented. Yesterday when the end of year report came home DD’s predicted grade was revised to a C whilst she had a 1 for effort and a 1 for attitude for the subject ( 1 being the highest mark).

I have asked to school what their reasons are for downgrading her work and was told that it was downgraded because he had not seen her work and that he can’t mark what he has not seen?? I know that DD often mentioned that Sir had not checked her book during the book check because she is at the bottom of the alphabet and there was no time left in the lesson. I e-mailed him about this and his version of events is that did not have her book with her on the dates that the books were checked. I don’t understand how this would be the case because she has her folder with her when she leaves the house in the morning? I’m not clear how she loses her book between leaving the house and arriving at school on a regular basis. Also the folder she has on her contains only a few pieces as the previous folder was full and has been kept in the schools’ cupboards since June of this year together with her first final piece. If the book is in school then how does the teacher not have time to mark it?

I know that she will get a new teacher from September because this one is moving on to another school. However I think it is unfair to send a student in the summer holidays without a clear understanding as to what her current levels are and what she can do so she will be in a reasonable position by next September. I have e-mailed the head of art at the school but it seems that they have packed up for the year and are not very interested in dealing with this matter before the summer hols.

Thinking about emailing the school again and ask for further clarification but not sure how to put it to them in a nice way that I really would like to know how DD what her predicted grade based on her work rather than C because I have not seen it.

Any tips greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Why on earth would an art teacher let you know!!!?? Are you doing the work? Try and let your DD manage her own work and communication with the teacher.

How on earth would any teacher know if all the work was in the cupboard? As a teacher I am never ever going to sort through a cupboard of stuff to find work. If a student wants it marking it is their responsibility to hand it over directly.

As far as I'm concerned a storage cupboard for work is for the students to keep work in and nothing to do with staff

Really can't believe that you were emailing her art teacher during school yr re location of her work!!! you need to step back , op and let ur dd manage her work.

Also re your comments about "we thought..." etc re french.... does your dd not choose her subjects herself? you seem v v over involved.

I know of schools that ask for all A* for external applicants for a 6th form place.

Noble's advice in the second post was very good. As always.

Which ones thecat because league table toppers such as KCS, St Paul's, Westminster don't.

I've p.m. Ed because I'm being discreet about personal details, such as where I live.
The schools you've listed are private. My experience is only state. Selective state schools really do ask new entrants for 6th Form for very high grades.

What the heck difference does it make what a predicted grade is anyway.It is the real grade (at GCSE anyway) that counts.

What the catfromJapan says is true.On the published admission criteria my DCs school asks for External candidates to have 10As or better, but that only applies to 'in area' kids.Out of area (which the vast majority of new joiners to the 6th form are, take the most able and they will have all A*s

OP-I think art is a subject where hard work is maybe not enough- there has to be innate ability for top grades.Maybe they just don't think she has the talent they initially thought, but don't want to get into that argument with you.

saoirse31 – The school encourages parents to get involved in our DCs work. I e-mailed the teacher previously because some of the things he told us made no sense. Besides I don’t see how your comments are helpful. I think we all parent our DC the way we see fit. It was DDs suggestion to perhaps drop art and do French instead.

Orange – the cupboard is for completed work not to store bits and pieces.

I know what the schools criteria are and it is not the only school in our area which asks for such high grades. In previous years DC who did not make the grades were not invited back to the school for A level. This has been the policy for years so I can’t see them change this any time soon.

Can I ask, in the nicest possible way, WTF is the point of a school report, if you argue with it?