year 11 daughter struggling so much

[sorrelli]

To cut a long story short, there have been extenuating circumstances which have meant that my daughter hasn't received much learning support until now, I have been unable to give it and have trusted that she would make good progress. She is well behaved, on time and the teachers say a lovely girl.

Her mock results were absolutely shocking, they were never amazing but they have plummeted, we have both suffered from depression and are getting our lives in order but she is not academic.

I have taken time off work to get better and help her focus. With mostly 1's 2's and 3's over 9 subjects I am now very worried she will not get in to sixth form.

The time we have left will basically be me teaching her all the content from scratch and revising. I am afraid her teachers are not interested in helping, they seem focused entirely on the higher sets getting them the results they want.

So the dilemma lies as follows: do we concentrate on the subjects she enjoys and likely to get highest results: History, Geography, French and English or mainly Maths, Science and English.

Her sixth form subjects rely mainly on Science, English and Maths.

However she is weaker on Maths and Science currently scoring a 1, yes a 1 but requiring a 4/5 to get into sixth form.

Please help me, what do I focus on with her?

English, Maths and Science. Has she been assessed for any issues? Why do her teachers say she did so badly - lack of knowledge, focus, time management, exam technique? Is her attendance good? Tbh sixth form entry is least of your issues if she cannot pass the basics. Can you afford a tutor, is Senco willing to offer learning support?

Don’t panic! It’s vital for both of you that this stays fun and light.
There are lots of free gcse maths resources online.
You’ll need structure. Cook together so she gets a break when you do and really focus. But most of look like you’re having fun, even if you’re worried, don’t let on!

English maths and one science are the subjects needed for most jos so concentrate on that and then one or two of the subjects she likes.

Is there a possibility of resitting year 11?

Instead of VI form you might consider an FE college.

And get the teachers to supply you with past papers and work through them

How is she doing in English - If she’s below a three in English she’s going to really struggle to pass Geography/History as they’re essay based subjects.

If she really wants to do French the app Duolingo is amazing (it’s free).

Does she want to pass or is she Luke warm as if she’s Luke warm you’ve got a major battle on your hands.

Aw, that sounds like you've had a tough time both of you. Sorry to hear your school isn't supportive - if you know her expected grades (from KS2) and the 1/2/3s are about right, then that might be why they're not fussing (doesn't make it right) as it won't affect their progress score.

What does she want to do at sixth form? Would she be open to something other than A levels? Perhaps a btec.

What have the teachers said? Or the head of year? If she was to work on her preferred subjects, do you think she'd pass them well - sometimes it's worth working on her confidence so passing English, history etc this year and then working on maths (she'd have to resit if it's less than a 4) and science next year might work. She will need maths for most jobs. Tbh, it might be worth seeing if you could chat to pastoral support or a careers advisor to help choose what to focus on. Good luck!

I would focus on Maths and English as the priority, then Science.

Then look into more vocational options for after GCSEs e.g. BTEC. With GCSE grades lower than 5-6, A-levels would be an uphill struggle.

She can apply to more than one place to keep possibilities open.

Teachers will want/need her to do well if they want their pay rises but they will be realistic about what can be achieved in 4 months.

How did she do in primary school? What are her GCSE targets based on her SATS results? What is she struggling with? Knowledge? Technique? Revision?

I agree with focusing on English and Maths. She will probably need to do a level 2 course next year.

Hi, there does seem to be a processing issue. But school is not interested and have not raised concerns despite shocking lack of progress.

Yes I’ve gotten her a maths and science tutor.

Thank you, we’ve broken down all the syllabus but it’ll be hard work so yes we’ll need to keep it light and fun the rest of the time x

Thank you for the clarity, maths science and English definitely seems to be the consensus.

Does she need/get extra time in exams then? If so you need to push Senco to get this arranged in time. Would school be open to her dropping some subjects and use time to focus on core sbjects. Agree level 2 is worth exploring now as an option for next year, she could resit gcses alongside if needs be.

Thanks so much, yes I’ve asked for her mock papers and have taken to printing out past papers from the exam website. Once she’s learned a bit more content say by Easter we will do past papers or do you think we should start them now?

She wants to pass but feels like she’s dumb and has no hope. Mainly due to being aware of teachers and her friends harping on about hands and sets. It seems to have made her less enthusiastic.

She’s agreed to give it her best shot from now though so we’ll see.

There’s a big difference between a student who is capable but fell apart during the mocks and got 1-3s and a student who has always struggled academically and got 1-3s, and the advice will be different depending on which it is.

Was it a surprise, or has she always struggled? What were her KS2 SATs? What are her target grades?

You need to start seriously looking at alternative options to sixth form as a back-up to take the pressure off. A local college with vocational courses might be more suitable.

I would do example questions as you go along, half the battle is technique and time management, then build up. Schools will want their students to pass core subjects at 4/5 minimum, ask them what they can offer in terms of booster classes to catch up. Will she sit foundation papers for some?

Thanks so much. It has been absolutely awful. Teachers on parents evening ‘You van do it, work hard’. Her French teacher couldn’t hide her disdain and making faces which I found so disturbing, I turned to see if my daughter was noticing and she certainly had - looked tearful and slouched over, looking up now and again. I really want her to show she can do it if she applies herself.

Explains why they’re really not fussed. She is usually a 4/5 in English but went down to a 2/3 in mocks.

Thanks for your help and support.

Yes I’ve done this, have applied to places wanting a minimum of 5 subjects at a 4. If that’s reached she’ll be offered BTECS.

She’s hoping to get 7’s in English as usually they’re her strongest subject.

Btecs come in different levels.

Have asked school for tests and to drop some subjects and got a resounding ‘no, she can absolutely do them all’ by her head of year.

Senco? I think you need a meeting with hoy and senco asap

Hi yes I’ve done that and applied to quite a few as back up.

She has always struggled around 3 in science, 2 in maths 5/6 in English, 4/5 history and languages. But she has never properly applied herself to studying.

Thanks for that, I’ve got some good online resources lined up to hopefully help with that.

She will sit foundation papers for maths and science as well as language.

Thank you, I shall try but everything is an uphill struggle with this school. Everything gets brushed off with “She’s fine she can do it” but she isn’t fine!

So she cannot get higher than a 5 in foundation papers.