Would this be a sensible or a stupid thing to do?

[BertrandRussell]

DS is in year 10. Last year he had a fantastic English teacher who really enthused the class and got some fantastic work out of them. DS loved it and made excellent progress. This year, however, the teaching is very -"pedestrian"- for want of a better word (you can tell by the homework set, it's not just what DS says)- and DS is just gloomily getting on with it. He's conscientious, so is doing what he has to do and getting good marks, but he is bored and there is a lot of year left. He tells me that the others in his group feel the same. I am sorely tempted to send a tactful email to last years' teacher asking for her advice. But that would be really daft, wouldn't it? Particularly as this year's teacher is the HoD?

I assumed you were laughing at yourself for being over keen/earnest at parents' evenings compared to your peers.

I'm about the essay intros and conclusions. Back in my day you had to craft a reasonable "five paragraph essay" to get into tertiary education, but I'm not even British.

GCSE is still pretty basic though.

A levels certainly involve intro/conclusion.

GCSE is still pretty basic though.

There are thousands and thousands of kids for whom it is their upper limit.
It is such an offensive attitude to generalise like that.

GCSE is a precursor to higher exams for the academic
it is not pretty basic

talkin of course it is basic.

It does not require 'proper' essays as this thread shows.

A GCSE is an academic starting point. There is no more basic academic qualification. So do please save your pointless biscuit!

It just seems a shame that they aren't learning how to craft a proper essay as they go along. For those who are going on to A level it's something else they have to learn in 6th form. And for everyone else it's a skill they might find useful- conclusions to pieces of writing in particular are often a good thing. Particularly if the reader is only going to read the first and last paragraph of your CV, proposal, report or whatever........

I bet they do learn how to do it.
It's just that they won't be tested on it.
At GCSE content is more important than structure IYSWIM.

I might ask tomorrow- I'll let you know. If i have time between being difficult and unpleasant and launching aggressive verbal attacks.

Yes do update. Hopefully they won't have to brace themselves as usual!

Hang on Bertrand - you've only got 7 minutes - don't get too ambitious

As I said earlier- I am very good at using my 7 minutes. And there are several teachers, after all..............