Estimated grades and qualifying subjects for super-selective sixth form admissions?

[trampolinepoline]

DC is thinking of applying to a super-selective sixth form next year, with admissions offers based on a ranking of average estimated grade for their best 8 'qualifying' GCSE subjects.

He's doing Computer Science GCSE, which doesn't qualify, although I understand is considered relatively academic. Any thoughts on why it wouldn't be included? I'm wondering if it's a hangover from previous years when part of the assessment was based on coursework, but this is now no longer the case.

Also, I'm concerned about the "estimated grades" thing because DC's current school doesn't produce estimated grades as a matter of course. He has minimum target grades, which is what teachers regard as well within his capability, but they make it clear that students can do better if they work hard and have a good day. The minimum targets are capped at a grade 8 yet he is highly capable of a 9 in maths and possibly some other qualifying subjects. Obviously his current school would like him to stay there for sixth form, so they don't really have an incentive to provide him with glowing estimated grades.

The school may not share the predicted grades, but it's most likely that they produce them. They're used if there's a problem with the student/exam and often as part of the teachers performance management. Predicted grades should be realistic and achievable.

I would be surprised if the school didn't support your DSs application with the predicted grades. Yes, they may wish that he stays with them but they wouldn't jeopardise his application for this reason.

It may be worth asking the new sixth form why computer science isn't accepted?

Good luck to your son with his application.

My DD has an offer from a super selective sixth form. The offer is primarily based on EBACC subjects. If the same applies at your DC's prospective school this could explain why computer science does not apply.

If his school does not provide predicted grades, presumably they will just provide grades from his mocks or most recent exams when they are asked to provide a reference.

Oh wait, just saw that computer science is in fact an EBACC subject...never mind! In that case quite surprising it would not qualify.

Out of interest, what else is not included? Is it subjects that the school doesn't offer itself to GCSE? It would be very odd if only Computer Science is specifically excluded.

These ones are all included, anything else not included:

English Language
History
French
Latin
Dance
Design Technology
Biology
English Literature
Geography
German
Greek
Drama
PE
Chemistry
Mathematics
Religious Studies
Spanish
Music
Art
Combined Science (Two grades)
Physics

As well as Computer Science, DC does Food & Nutrition, which is excluded. That has a small element of coursework, which is why I wondered if that was the deciding factor. However, the coursework element of CS is no longer part of the assessment after problems last year when solutions were shared on social media. I'm wondering if the admissions criteria haven't been updated to reflect the change.

That is very odd. As it happens the coursework element of CS has never been included in the 9-1 GCSE, as it was withdrawn mid course for the first sitting last year. It’s not an easy subject at all. And why Latin, but not other MFLs like Mandarin? It looks like maybe they do only recognise their own subjects to give their own pupils a bit of an advantage, maybe.

You may be right, as I can't see CS on their KS4 curriculum. That said, my friend's son is in Y7 there and I'm pretty sure she said he was doing some computing in DT.

The course guide for their CS A Level says a GCSE isn't needed.

It's annoying though as DS got a 9 in his CS mock. As his Food & Nutrition won't count at all, that means he's relying completely on his other 8 subjects with no wriggle room.

Ah well, fingers crossed he'll be fine.

That said, my friend's son is in Y7 there and I'm pretty sure she said he was doing some computing in DT.

They may have a policy of sort of embedding computing in various areas of the curriculum, without actually doing Computer Studies as a discrete subject? It does sound as of the school is only allowing comparison on the constituents of their own KS4 curriculum.

computer science is an Ebacc subject so it seems ridiculous to exclude it.

I'm sorry, dance, drama, PE and art are included but not CS? Bonkers conkers.

I agree, I reckon they only accept subjects they offer.

PE, Drama and Art all have quite a lot of coursework included in the grades so that can’t be the reason.

It'll be worth asking the college about Food & Nutrition. They are accepting D&T and Food & Nutrition (or whatever it was called then ) used to be part of that so they might still be including it in practice.

It won't be to do with the coursework, as lots if the subjects on the list have coursework (eg music, drama, dance and PE.