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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Has anybody got positive stories of gcse results after woeful mocks?

155 replies

Noth1ngtoseehere · 05/12/2019 18:11

It’s going to be a loooooong 6 months otherwise.😩

Ds v anxious. Screwed up his revision and ended up covering very little, had a meltdown midweek. Supposed to get 8s/9s but got a range from 3 to 7.

We could both do with some positivity.😬

OP posts:
MissingMySleep · 07/12/2019 15:02

DS got 2s, 3s and I think a 1 in his mocks. He decided to bin 2 subjects that he didnt need and wasnt interested in, started to study for the first time ever and passed the 7 GCSEs that he wanted to pass. He got 4s and 5s but was glad he passed, Sounds like your DS is starting at a higher level and I am sure he can achieve the grades if he is sty=udying 3 hrs a day. My DS probably did about 6-8 hours a week.

BertrandRussell · 07/12/2019 15:09

It’s not lack of revision- your son froze in his exams and didn’t write anything. Honestly- stop worrying about grades and address his mental health.

Original poster
Noth1ngtoseehere · 07/12/2019 15:26

We are in several ways but he still needs to gain the ground and needs the support to do so which he will get.

OP posts:
Original poster
Noth1ngtoseehere · 07/12/2019 15:31

And it was lack of revision to some extent. Part of the reason he froze on the most hideous days he says was due to going in unprepared. He didn’t like the feeling. He wants to get better grades and it’s all interwoven. We’re trying to take a careful route no pressure but helping him to gain the ground he wants.

OP posts:
Original poster
Noth1ngtoseehere · 07/12/2019 15:37

He’s getting support in all sorts of ways re his mental health and it has been the priority. He is making progress in that area. Moving forward re school is necessary and will help in the long run. He needs positivity and I can now give it to him. Clearly going by stories on here, all is not lost.

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TeacherOfMath23 · 07/12/2019 18:41

He will most likely be fine with that sort of score. I wouldn't panic too much, most students go up a grade assuming they continue to work. In which case if you were doing 5 a day on Corbett maths then it would wise to do the higher plus level. The rest of what I mentioned still works. Just to allay some fears I did a quick look at the recent boundaries for a grade 8. Which is 165/240 across 3papers about 70%.

Boyskeepswinging · 07/12/2019 18:51

Noth if his love is Maths then the obvious 3 A levels are Maths, FM and Physics as a lot of A level Physics is Maths (I think it's supposed to be at least 60% Maths). I know lots of kids studying that combo and they say they really work well together and reinforce the learning in each individual subject. Sounds like that might suit your DS? And of course those 3 A levels would open up loads of different opportunities.

Original poster
Noth1ngtoseehere · 07/12/2019 19:11

That does seem like a possible plan,if he’s allowed to do FM now. Apparently maths teacher has said doing FM makes you go down a level on maths GCSE because of the amount of workConfused so she wanted high mock results in the maths which a 7 isn’t. Seems bonkers as a 7 is well on course to an 8 and he pulled it out during a shite time with very little revision. Couldn’t give a shit about anything higher in the real thing.Has now given up Spanish so got 3 extra sessions a week free on top and starting counselling so will in all likelihood do v well in the real thing.Their own site says you only need an 8 at GCSE to do FM A level do not sure why it isn’t good enough to do FM at GCSE iykwimConfused He’s done half the work anyway as doing it already. If she doesn’t let him do the exam he’s going to be really upset as won’t have a clue what else to pick as a second. Obviously wouldn’t push him into it but if he’s adamant he wants to do it which he is indicating he does I’ll be fighting for it. The anxiety wasn’t caused by work stress but other issues. It needs clarifying as isn’t helping with the anxiety and we have to fill out 6th form applications. GCSE year needs a health warning,I will have aged 10 years by the time it’s all over.😩

OP posts:
cosima1 · 07/12/2019 19:21

Had he no idea what he wants to do for as-level apart from maths OP?

Don’t the school do come sort of open evening where there is a room for every A-level subject where you can talk to students doing that course, look at displays of what’s involved and talk to teachers? Or there would be at least a talk to year 11?
With Maths, Economics could be a good one? It’s a very popular A-level. Or if he doesn’t wants to do one if the main sciences, what about Psychology?

cosima1 · 07/12/2019 19:21

A-level not “as” - sorry.

Boyskeepswinging · 07/12/2019 19:23

Noth I hear you. This is definitely the most stressful year at school so far. The amount of homework can be overwhelming at times.

I don't see why your DS can't apply for the 3 A levels he wants to do. Actually starting them is dependent on his GCSE results, as is the case for everyone. If his school refuse his application at this ridiculously early stage in the game I'd be looking elsewhere. I'd be concerned if they don't think he can go from 7 to 8 in Maths with a few months of decent revision. As so many have already demonstrated, going up a grade or two is very, very doable with the right preparation.

FakeChristmasTreesaremynewnorm · 07/12/2019 19:49

My dd school actually tell them they will almost certainly go up at least one grade if they keep working hard.

bkaz · 09/12/2019 08:03

@eacherOfMath23 and anyone else@ Can you please advise me of how I can get a copy of the OCR Maths syllabus. I looked on the OCR website but could not see it. Secondly, the best place to purchase past exam papers for the OCR board. My daughter claims she knows the techniques but is falling down in in mock test as I believe she is more accustomed to bitesize questions. Thanks.

Raspberry123 · 09/12/2019 13:20

Yes!! My school marked very hard in the mocks to encourage you. For my A levels I got 2 Ns and a U in the mocks!! And in the real thing I got an A and 2Bs so hopefully this disappointment will spur your son and the school into action!! Its never too late!

BertrandRussell · 09/12/2019 13:34

“ My school marked very hard in the mocks to encourage you.”

Yep. Nothing like a swift kick in the confidence to get the best out of anyone.

Comefromaway · 09/12/2019 13:55

*“ My school marked very hard in the mocks to encourage you.”

Yep. Nothing like a swift kick in the confidence to get the best out of anyone.*

I agree. For my son it would totally destroy his confidence to the point that he would not even bother trying any more.

TeacherOfMath23 · 09/12/2019 21:15

www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/mathematics-j560-from-2015/

Here is the OCR spec link for anyone who would find it useful.

Past papers for this board are harder to come by.

They have some on the above website but the school should be using those with students to revise with.

I would probably get the cgp stuff on amazon either higher or foundation as appropriate they also do revsion cue cards.

Nothing to see here the 8-9 cgp book is good for a stretch and has full worked solutions in the back an excellent stocking filler ho ho ho.

amazon.co.uk/s?k=Ocr+mathematics+practise+papers+9-1&ref=nb_sb_noss]]

Hope that's of help.
X

TeacherOfMath23 · 09/12/2019 21:19

Noth, I can't see them rejecting the application I imagine he's one of the best students in the place. And yes he ought to be able to make the leap with careful revision. Most alevel courses take level 7 and up in most schools I have worked with and in. You'll definately find a college who will take him even if his own wants to be awkward. More the issue is them having enough bums on seats to run the course I would think.

ProggyMat · 09/12/2019 22:05

Noth
I would speak to the Maths HOD to clarify the notion that doing FM alongside GCSE core maths ‘makes you go down a level because of the amount of extra work’
DD (Yr11) top set has been taught FM alongside core maths since Yr10
She will sit Maths and FM mocks in January.
Did your DS sit FM as a mock or does his school decide who can sit FM alongside core maths GCSE after November mocks?

bkaz · 10/12/2019 06:48

@TeacherOfMath23@ Thank you very much will look into the links you provided.

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 10/12/2019 07:12

Mine struggled with revision planning and time management in the mocks

Can't remember what his mock results were now but they wernt great

School covered exam technique and time management after Christmas last year, not to mention all the extra revision sessions in the holidays and at weekends

He ended up with 7s 8s and 9s but felt totally unprepared during mocks.

Original poster
Noth1ngtoseehere · 10/12/2019 07:27

It was the latter Proggy. Maths mock with those high enough then being put in for FM further down the line but they’ve been doing the further maths curriculum this year alongside and covered most from what ds says. He doesn’t find it hard.Think that is what I’ve gleaned from ds,to be honest the info is woeful. Have gleaned more from here and Noble.

He’s top set but not one of the best according to ds, he feels rubbish about everything right now but there will be plenty of very able students in set 1 and 2( grammar)

Starting to see why his mock is an issue as he needs an 8 in maths for FM Alevel which he really needs. From my understanding now revising the FM stuff could dilute the Maths grade and make an 8 less likely. I naively thought they complimented each other but maybe not. I’m slightly confused as he has already covered most of the syllabus ie lesson time won’t be affected that much and all in same set anyway.

Maths and FM at Alevel are crucial. Think I’m going to have to email the teacher. Hoh was taking over it but it’s silly, we need the conversation. My points are his counselling has only just started this week, he has suffered some really unpleasant bullying and had unpleasant comments just before mocks which although resulting in sanctions really upset him(again), he has now given up his ML which clears a chunk of timetable and revision time, he has suffered two bereavements and the further away we get from that the better. The GCSEs will nearly be a year after the last one, he had a meltdown in the midst of mocks .....

I just don’t know but need a conversation with his teacher fully informed. She doesn’t seem to have been informed about any of the above.Confused Has been blunt re his enthusiasm for maths this year( glowing report in Aug) no shit Sherlock. 3 months into a new year not sure you can write somebody off that quick but there you go.Ds was upset yesterday as he thought I didn’t think he was good enough for FM, need to be v careful how I handle it. it’s such a mess and causing me so many sleepless nights I’m sick of it. Counselling was very positive, thank god that has finally started.

Sorted through all science resources and emailed science teachers re advice for a plan at weekend. School saying revision proper doesn’t start until Feb, it’s by no means a lost cause and to spend the time until then filling holes. Keeping positive and trying to relay positivity from here.

OP posts:
ProggyMat · 10/12/2019 08:45

Noth my DD was in the same place your DS is in a couple of years ago. Counselling was a god send and thankfully she is ‘out the other side of the tunnel’ now.
Do PM me if you think it would help Flowers
In your previous post I picked up on FM at GCSE and wanted to clarify how FM candidates were selected.
I do think a conversation needs to be had at school placed in context with everything you have disclosed in this thread.
It seems to me, rightly or wrongly, that taking away the opportunity to sit a subject he is passionate about is leaving him feeling more ‘out of control’ of what is happening around him.

TeacherOfMath23 · 10/12/2019 20:29

If he's in a grammar it's possible that he may need an 8 for FM, but there definately colleges that will take a 7 for entry into Maths & FM. Sounds like the college aren't being very encouraging there, they ought to know his circumstances and be acknowledging that rather than just saying ah his not enthusiastic. That's not helpful, they obviously need to be realistic but destroying his confidence isn't going help him up a grade.

TeacherOfMath23 · 10/12/2019 20:35

Secretly from a educational point we do mocks to scare the lazy ones who are doing absolutely nothing, and so we have evidence to talk to home about. I reckon you ds doesn't fall into this bracket. But I am astounded that the teacher had no idea about what he had been dealing with before handing back his mocks and laying it on the thick and heavy. That's not professional.