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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 English retakes

10 replies

kylesmybaby · 11/09/2018 01:59

My son got 5 English literature and 3 English language in his GCSE.

His college are telling him the government now say he does not have to now retake his English GCSE.

What they can't answer for me is can he apply for jobs/higher education saying he has passed his English GCSE? If he can't I would like him to retake it. The college think he doesn't have to.

It's such a minefield as the policy has just been changed I think.

Any advice would be great.

Thank you

OP posts:

preggersteach · 11/09/2018 02:14

He has passed it as he has a grade, a fail is a U however a job advert may say pass with at least a grade 4. I would get him to resit just to be on the safe side

Original poster

kylesmybaby · 12/09/2018 09:02

That makes sense to me now as it's what the college said In the criteria for his course .. English language at a level 4.

The college are saying that he doesn't need to retake unless he wants to go to university ! Stupid comment as I am sure it will be the same for jobs as well.

It's made worse now that the college have put him on L3 Sport. He is loving it and settling in really well with his peers. If I push for English retake they are going to move him to L2 which he's been told is full of Roadmen ! Whatever they are !

Is anyone else going through this that can advise. At a complete loss as what to do. Thank you

OP posts:

Original poster

kylesmybaby · 13/09/2018 07:43

Anyone 🤷🏽‍♀️

OP posts:

HellToupee · 13/09/2018 07:48

My DD didn’t pass her math exam last year - she got a 3. According to the new scoring system this is NOT a pass and she had to resit it during her first year of college.

However, she was not put on a L2 but on a L3 course. I think you should talk to the college as my DD has to attend weekly math classes during the year - compulsory! - and she passed it this time around.

Original poster

kylesmybaby · 13/09/2018 08:50

Hi - thank you for replying. Yes he failed maths as well and also got a 3 so is attending the weekly math class. So glad to hear your daughter passed this year. I was wondering how easy it would be with such little Maths tuition from the college.

Where it's more tricky is the English. As he got 5 in literacy and 3 in language the government this year have said they don't have to resist the English GCSE.

However, my worry is that he will never be classed as having an English GCSE. Courses and jobs will ask for applicants that have level 4 and above iyswim.

I'm at a loss as what to do as the college have told him not to retake it and have put him on L3 Sport. They are making me feel ridiculous for even asking the questions.

OP posts:

LoniceraJaponica · 13/09/2018 08:52

"He has passed it as he has a grade"

A 3 isn't considered a pass in the real world. He should resit it as it will hold him back if he decides to go into higher education.

Original poster

kylesmybaby · 13/09/2018 10:13

Yes this is what I am thinking however the college think not.

Even If he does not go into higher education would jobs ever ask for applicants of level 4 and above?

College have put him into L3 Sport which he's settled into very well. If retaking English he needs to completely move courses to L2 Sport.

Just wish I knew if it will hold him back from applying for jobs/courses in future with only a 3 in language.

OP posts:

Jinglebells99 · 13/09/2018 10:27

www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-funding-maths-and-english-condition-of-funding

That seems to say that if he got a 4 or above in English lit his English requirement is met with regards to funding for college. However, in terms of him personally, it seems that applying for other things in the future could require an English language pass. I think he could well need a grade 4 in English language for his future plans.

LIZS · 13/09/2018 10:31

Dn did level 3 Sport btec and several on his course were resitting gcses alongside, but maybe it is a timetabling issue. If he did level 2 and passed the gcses could he not progress onto level 3 anyway.

Original poster

kylesmybaby · 13/09/2018 11:39

Jingle - thank you so much I will read. That's exactly how I feel - that it could hold him back in future job applications or higher education. As it's so new no one can advise me either way. The college tutors won't even talk to me. DS is not the best for feeding back the correct information to me only the bits that are what he wants to hear.

LIZ - it's definitely not a timetable issue. It seems if you retake both Maths and English then you do level 2. Only retaking one you can then do level 3. As he's settled in so well with his peers I don't want to move him unneccessarily but do wonder how he will cope with level 3 when he really needs to retake both Maths and English.

I wonder if there is someone at the college I can go to who will speak to me about my concerns.

OP posts:

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