Why would the school have DSS sit GSCE early?

[Happylittletrees]

DSS has been told as he's in the top set he will sit the English lit GCSE next year in year 10. This makes me nervous as he's a summer born boy and surely that will make him almost two years younger than some of the kids taking it? Is there any benefit to him by taking it early? Any help much appreciated.

I teach English and despise early entry! Unless gifted, and often even if so, they rarely achieve their potential but it does up the stress for all parties concerned. Unfortunately, schools are under pressure to provide results/benchmarking so force through early entry. In my experience, it is the whole year group rather than just a select few that are forced through. That, and being coerced into doing both Lang and Lit. Hmph.

The worst thing I've seen is a group of very gifted girls being totally demoralised after doing Lang in Y10 and underachieving and seeing the effect on them mentally.

They can resit and you could refuse but it might affect setting. Tell him to work for it but view it as a mock exam.

It'll most likely be for timetabling reasons, and year 10 isn't really classed as early

DD sat Lit in May year 10. The entire cohort were entered. She was 14 and it was a bloody mess. Tears, breakdowns, had to come out of paper 1- not hoping for much when results come out. Terribly bad idea. The entire year failed the mock, just ridiculous.

Ofsted have told schools to ensure children reach their full potential and to stop exam entries which are done to influence league tables or stats to the advantage of the school.