would you consider these re-sits necessary?

[shewhoneverdusts]

I ask because I wonder if I am being a tad over protective or something.
DD took English language, Statistics, and Core Science this summer, she was in yr 9. I was really pleased for her as she got a B for the English, a C for Stats and the science is a mystery as it had 3 grades not including her coursework, but nevertheless shegot 2 b's and a c. The school are now saying anything B and below is unacceptable and want her and any others in the set to retake. I don't think she should, they were taken early as it is, what's the point, or can anyone shed some light from another perspective.

We don't encorage children to set GCSEs early where I work. In part because children seldom do as well as they would if they waited another year

As far as going on to take science at A level we tend to only encourage children who have at least a B at GCSE to progress to A level study. We do let children start the course if they have a C grade, as long as their GCSE teacher feels that they can cope.

Gosh, I think it's very short sighted of the school to encourage/allow them to take the exams early if this is the outcome. If they'd took them at the normal time, the grades might well have been higher. Maybe the school is more concerned about the league tables than about the well-being of the pupils.

I don't think it's advisable either, but unfortunately we were given very little say in the matter. The school for whatever reason trialed an idea on dd's year and selected 30 girls to accelerate. I think it is to enable them to make a start on AS levels early, but again, I don't really want her to do that either. I just feel the resit thing is underminig what they already achieved iyswim.

edam is right with regard league tables btw.
The school is all girls, but being mixed next year and I think they want to attract as many of the boy's parents as possible.

I agree that sitting exams early is rarely a good idea. Be careful at A Level too if they try to get them to start early.

My sister did A level Maths early - when she came to apply for university they discounted the exams sat early. Only took into account A levels taken at the same time/year. So she ended up with an extra A level, at grade A, that was pretty much useless to her.

thanks Hula
I also think it's best for them to be at college with people of the same year group doing the same exams.

Just be careful though, if she wants to do a competitive degree (medicine etc) they WILL look at her GCSE grades and be wanting A's. I just think it's silly making the misery of exams last even longer. What are they going to follow it with?

As for whether she resits - depends what A Levels she wants to do I guess.

I guess if they they need A or B or higher to progress to A level, then there's little choice but to resit as English, maths & science are all core curriculum subjects so she probably can't just give them up. It does seem rather an odd situation though.