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Original poster

GCSEs 2018 (3)

999 replies

mmzz · 28/01/2018 08:40

Following on from:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3113917-GCSEs-2018-2

OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
Teenmum60 · 01/02/2018 21:20

Sostenueto - I would include this in your letter and ask what additional resources the school will provide ...

Its not just support for underachieving children its support for able children too:

PG provides funding for two policies:

Raising the attainment of disadvantaged pupils of all abilities to reach their potential

Sostenueto · 01/02/2018 21:20

I meant before and after school revision classes lunchtimes she will do but said she's having her lunch whatever!

Sostenueto · 01/02/2018 21:23

Oh didn't know that teenmum! Will look into that definitely! I know dgd can get a bursary for 6 th form but thought pp was for underachievers mainly, knew she would get books free but didnt realise suppirt

Sostenueto · 01/02/2018 21:24

Sorry pressed send button by mistake,...didn't realise that other support was available even when they are reaching full potential!

Sostenueto · 01/02/2018 21:25

TeenmumFlowers

Teenmum60 · 01/02/2018 21:26

Here's the link - sounds like your daughter's grant may be used somewhere else within school given that she has not needed any resources - so time to ask !

www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-conditions-of-grant-2016-to-2017/pupil-premium-2016-to-2017-conditions-of-grant

LooseAtTheSeams · 01/02/2018 21:26

Sostenueto I'm really sorry to hear English is stressing your dd so much. It's good, however, that she's doing so well at everything else and I think it will filter through to English. I'll pm you my email address if you like and if I can help at all by sending some of my stuff or answering her questions, just let me know!Thanks

Sostenueto · 01/02/2018 21:29

Teenmum thanks so.much for linkFlowers

Loose thanks so much too and will take offer up!Flowers

TheSecondOfHerName · 01/02/2018 21:35

Answering every question is a remarkable achievement.

Providing his solutions are actually sensible and viable, then it is potentially really impressive.

Teenmum60 · 01/02/2018 21:38

Alexander - on the IGCSE Edexcel grade boundaries 46% was a C 54% was a B...although not sure how boundaries change with the different boards.

Sostenueto · 01/02/2018 21:39

Dgd has done maths challenge every year since yr 7. Don't think she's done it this year, school doesn't tell them till day before. She enjoyed doing them but not bothered whether she does them or not.

Sostenueto · 01/02/2018 21:41

Off now, must take meds glad and pleased for all who have had mock results back and great reports from.parent evenings! All our darlings wonderful! Nite!

AlexanderHamilton · 01/02/2018 21:42

Ds said he only answered the first 15 questions as he didn't want to lose marks on the other ones???? So I doubt if he's done well.

TheSecondOfHerName · 01/02/2018 21:51

AlexanderHamilton I can see the logic in that strategy. The last few questions are negatively marked; wrong answers in those would result in marks being subtracted from the score.

Teenmum60 · 01/02/2018 21:54

Yr11's dont do Maths Challenge at DD's school either - Just Yr 9/10 ...probably timing too close to mocks and in GCSE year.

DD always was always reluctant to answer the optional questions too - but I think she did get Bronze and Silver awards - never gold even in the Junior Maths Challenge. Well done to your DS Thesecond !

Original poster
mmzz · 01/02/2018 22:02

@Sostenueto That sounds like a really odd parent's evening appointment. It sounds like it was really hostile. Do you think the teacher had had one bad meeting after another tonight and when she got to you, she lost her temper a bit (hence the get a tutor if you want better results comment)?

Maybe it is just me, but it is strange that the English results weren't moderated at department level. You'd think the HoD would notice if the top set were all underperforming their expectations but the 2nd top set were doing as expected.

I think the HoD has some explaining to do.

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BlueBelle123 · 01/02/2018 22:11

DS was relieved that they could choose whether or not to do the Maths Challenge this year......he choice not to do it, he doesn't like the style of questions. Glad those that did do it sounded like they enjoyed it!!

Original poster
mmzz · 01/02/2018 22:26

@TheSecondOfHerName DS1 comes close to qualifying for the Olympiad each year, so I know the ballpark you need - it is approx 22 correct answers, or 23 if you get a couple after Q15 wrong. If your DS is confident in his answers, then he's got a good chance.
(DS1 reckons he will be at least 5 points short - more if he got more wrong than he thinks)

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Teenmum60 · 01/02/2018 22:37

mmzz - I'm also surprised English results were not moderated too - they certainly are in DD's school ...its always the English results that come out last because the whole 5 sets are compared and I think another teacher actually marks the papers for consistency.

I am so glad the mocks are over ...parents evening next week for us...just to need to ensure DD has mock exam papers at home so we can sit and start to make a list of all the RED coded sections of each subject...I can feel a visit coming on to Hobbycraft !

TheSecondOfHerName · 01/02/2018 22:37

mmzz DS2 got through to the Kangaroo last year but missed out on the Olympiad by a few marks, so it would be nice for him if he qualifies this year.

Original poster
mmzz · 01/02/2018 22:38

I promised a review of the Mr Salles book (Guide to 100% AQA Eng Lang GCSE).

Short Version: its really good, especially for getting grades 7-9. I strongly recommend it.

Long version: it reads like attending an English lesson. The teacher's personality runs through every page. There are even "cringe" (DS's word) jokes every few pages. Mr Salles explains things simply but thoroughly and in quite an interesting way. Nothing gets left out - the teacher is determined to live up to the title.
There are worked examples and model answers with analysis. Timings for exam questions, lots of very good tips. If your DC will pick up this book and work through it, then I really believe this book will raise their grades.

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user1467232073 · 01/02/2018 22:40

Has anyone got any top tips regarding the 10% PE coursework and PE GCSE exam please?

Original poster
mmzz · 01/02/2018 22:44

BTW The offer / rejection email didn't arrive. Maybe they aren't sending them until tomorrow. Maybe next week. So, another day of hoping for the best/ dreading the worst coming up. It was actually a relief todaywhen 5:30 arrived and I knew that it wouldn't arrive!

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Teenmum60 · 01/02/2018 22:46

Thank you mmzz....DD is actually going Edexcel IGCSE - assume Mr Salles is directed at just AQA - DD also doing coursework for her English - assume AQA is just exams?

Original poster
mmzz · 01/02/2018 22:59

It is tailored to AQA. I think it might be good enough for Edexcel, but I'm not sure about the iGCSE variations.

The relevant passage dealing with that is in the foreword. Paraphrasing...
"... up to 50% of the marks available are for exam technique..... An exam has to cover so many different skills, that it becomes very artificial.

I (Mr Salles) have a degree in English, 24 years teaching English experience, a lifetime of reading every single day, and despite all this I wasn't able to get 100% when I sat the sample papers for the new GCSE until I looked at the mark schemes. It has nothing to do with English, but everything to do with the artificiality of exams. I'll show you how to get these marks too, so you can get 100%".

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