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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

GCSE choices

34 replies

lilli30101968 · 04/05/2018 16:10

Hello my daughter in year 9 , letter has been sent few weeks ago for picking 3 subjects she has picked French , food tech and History . I received a letter yesterday that they recommend my daughter not to take French they will timetabled for extra Maths and English . I wanted her to do French she is doing so well . I wanted to know if I can say No she need to do a language or if the school can do that . If any mums have experience this kind of recommendations please let me know what the next step . Thanks

OP posts:

Walkingdeadfangirl · 04/05/2018 18:36

You need to ask the school about why they are recommending this.

How is she doing in Maths and English, maybe she needs extra help in those areas. Maybe they only run French for the top language class and she didn't make the cut. Maybe it is a timetabling conflict or teacher shortage. Maybe she is not up to ten GCSEs in total and it would be better if she only did nine (or what ever number).

Just talk to the school and try and agree whats best for your child overall and whats feasible, just demanding she do French (at all costs) might not be in her best interests.

TeenTimesTwo · 04/05/2018 19:08

It is more important to pass Maths and English than to have French.

If someone is in danger of failing English I would be concerned whether they will pass French anyway (all things being equal).

(I am rather hoping my DD will be allowed to do one less GCSE and get extra English in the freed up time, but I suspect she won't.)

Soursprout · 05/05/2018 01:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thisagain · 05/05/2018 09:06

The GCSEs are so much harder now. DD is year 11 and doing Spanish and the content for this is huge compared to the GCSE her sister sat 8 years ago. If the school recommend extra maths and English then personally I would jump at it. My DD always gets good grades but this year has been a struggle to maintain them.

Rainfallrainbow · 05/05/2018 09:16

I would reiterate what pps have said. The history GCSE is massive in terms or content, and very challenging. Personally, I think it is more challenging than the current A-Level. I also had a look at a foundation maths paper the other day and was shocked by how difficult it was. I would speak to the school and ask why they are advising this, as you may find there is a very sensible reason behind their decision.

metalmum15 · 05/05/2018 09:18

My Dds school only let the top 2 groups do GCSE French, as I guess they're the ones with more chance of passing. Perhaps talk to the school and see how she's doing in her other subjects and whether she does need extra tuition.

multivac · 05/05/2018 10:07

The school is playing the league tables game, I'm afraid; it's not about the best possible education experience for your daughter - she's not allowed to continue learning a second language, despite the proven benefits of doing so for any young person, regardless of ability - because it puts THEIR final stats at risk.

RedSkyAtNight · 05/05/2018 11:46

I'm not sure that we have evidence that the school is playing a league tables game multivac! Yes, the OP's DD may not have the best "education experience" if she drops French, but if she is having extra maths and English because she is well below the standard expected to be in line for getting a Level 4 at GCSE (which is why extra maths and English are timetabled at my DC's school), then not getting this will have a huge effect on her later life opportunities as well as the school's league table position!

As others have said, OP needs to understand why the school have recommended this.

pointythings · 05/05/2018 12:43

The new French GCSE has massively more content than the previous one and is much more demanding. And if your DD is at risk of not getting a grade 4 in English and Maths, I can understand why the school would want to prioritise that, because those subjects are key to her future education.

multivac · 05/05/2018 12:48

Indeed, more information is needed. Because it's also possible the OP's daughter is lined up to be given extra maths and English because she arrived with inflated KS2 results, meaning that a mere '4' won't cut it for the school.

In any case, however, there should be no reason at all why dropping an option should be required in order to teach core subjects - including interventions if required - effectively.

At my kids' school, with very few exceptions, every child is entitled and expected to continue language learning throughout KS3 and 4. Because it's considered to be important for the student. Meanwhile, maths and English results are considerably above the national average - and this is a non-selective comprehensive.

Original poster

lilli30101968 · 06/05/2018 10:03

Thanks all for your comments . I understand the needs of core subjects but I dont see the reason dropping language the French GCSE dont drop no subjects they carry on until A level .

OP posts:

AuntJobiska · 06/05/2018 10:23

It's just a thought, but would you support her continuing to study French as an extracurricular interest, if the school aren't supportive? I know it's not what you asked, but it's so easy to get caught up in the factory aspect of education and get obsessed with what GCSEs they'll have, how many, what grades. If she's one of those people that catches on to languages really easily, maybe she could do it as an interest and then she'll be someone who actually can make a good go of speaking a language, which is going to be of more benefit than a GCSE.

gingerbreadbiscuits · 06/05/2018 10:28

It will be French because that is were in the timetable they can fit in extra support lessons.

OP you really need to speak to the school to find out why they are doing this.

Original poster

lilli30101968 · 06/05/2018 11:20

Yes Aunt she is bilingual my first language is French and I think it will help her in the future its an advantage that help me personally on my career a lot

OP posts:

BubblesBuddy · 06/05/2018 15:25

It’s typical of stupid schools that they timetable extra lessons so pupils cannot take an MFL. When will we learn? Why should someone who wants to do a language be prevented from doing so? Why is the MFL considered expendable and not food tech?

TeenTimesTwo · 06/05/2018 15:35

Bubbles Why is the MFL considered expendable and not food tech?

I suspect that because most children having difficulty with maths and English also have problems doing an MFL. (On the grounds that if you are struggling with your own language then a second is going to be much harder). Whereas food tech, being partly practical, may have more appeal for those students. (It certainly does for my DD). Which is probably why the extra maths& English are in the same 'block' as the language, and not the food tech.

Timetables aren't set up for the occasional bilingual student. (NB they may well let the OPs daughter do GCSE French without the lessons if she really is bilingual.)

OP - go back and talk with the school and ask their reasoning and go from there.

Walkingdeadfangirl · 06/05/2018 15:59

Maybe I am missing the point but if she is bilingual then is there any point to doing it at school? If she just wants another GCSE to her name then she could sit the exam as an external candidate. Surly it will be a waste to her time to sit in a beginners class she is already fluent in.

TeenTimesTwo · 06/05/2018 16:22

I was wondering that too.

Soursprout · 06/05/2018 17:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

titchy · 06/05/2018 17:38

Being bilingual is far more beneficial to her than having a GCSE in that language. Having decent Maths and English also far more beneficial than French GCSE.

Or maybe she isn't bilingual?

titchy · 06/05/2018 17:39

Oh she is bilingual. still the French GCSE won't help her in anyway given that she is.

GreenTulips · 06/05/2018 17:40

Local colleges will allow children to sit the exams I think it's around £50 but may be free to children

You need to ask what's happening for them to suggest it.

A French GCSE here is quite basic compared to a first language GCSE

Have a look at past papers online to see the level and if you think she'd walk the exam now

farangatang · 07/05/2018 07:31

Definitely look into her being able to sit the French GCSE in Year 10 externally. Then she can have time during Y10/11 at school to get her Maths and English up to scratch.

Morebiscuitsplease · 07/05/2018 19:25

If she really enjoys languages I would encourage her to continue, it is important to study what you enjoy and are good at! Could you support her in Maths and English with a tutor... one to one can be very effective, important to support in these subjects sooner rather than later. Do speak to school.
An alternate approach if you can be school to agree!

NapQueen · 07/05/2018 19:27

Presumably her French is already well developed if she is bilingual?

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