Dropping a GCSE at this point in YR11

[Tearingmyhairoutstill]

My DC is in YR11 at a private school. He struggled in the mocks and had to do some resits - early Feb the school suggested he drop his language GCSE to concentrate on the other subjects - he's doing 9 GCSEs in total. He was adamant that he hadn't spent 5 years studying a subject to not take it at this point. He re sat it over 3 weeks ago and as the teachers did not tell him otherwise he and us assumed he had passed he has continued to go the language classes and is doing well in mini tests etc. Today he has been told the school will not put him in for this exam as they believe the time is better spent improving other grades. We think he should be able to take it. now as there's only 2 weeks left before study leave and that extra time is going to make no difference to the other subjects. If they had told him sooner then maybe he would consider. He got a 3 in the subject and I think there is scope to get a 4 which is a pass. School are trying to say it is not good to have a grade like this on your GCSE card - surely that's a C so it is a pass! Not everyone is 7,8 and 9 Kids. Welcome advice on whether you would push to do this GCSE still or give in !

I'd push if he wants to do it.

I have the opposite problem - I'd like DS to drop a subject but school says no!

Is it more an issue (because it's a private school) that the school don't want him to sit it because it will look badly on their results, rather than thinking of what's best for him?

Thats exactly what I think - they don't like 4's and 5's !

Is he using a language app to help him? Mine use both Duolingo and Memrise the latter being the one the school brought in in year 10.

Also this isn't about your son this is about the school's grades.

Thanks juniperberry - that’s exactly what I think the extra time he has from dropping this will be minimal now I really do think school are only concerned about their grades. So upsetting that they don’t see a 4 as a pass which it is ! Going to stand our ground

Could he do the lower level instead of full? I can't remember what it's called - Foundation maybe? My son struggles with languages, he's dyslexic, so I'm sure that doesn't help, but they'd targeted him to get a 7 or above due to being in top sets, so he was always failing. His teacher suggested he do the Foundation level, so he took that paper instead at the last mock a couple of weeks ago The top mark he can get taking that paper is a 5 (so a good pass) and his teacher's confident he'll do that now. She thinks it's easier to get a 5 with this paper than with Higher and DS confirmed after the mock that the paper's so much easier. It's taken a lot of pressure off him and his confidence has soared. I wish they'd agreed to let him do it years ago!

Thanks hemst, if he gets take it it will be foundation level but he's never had a mock on this level paper - I've requested they let him have a go at one ! maybe it would be better to spend time on the other subjects !