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Secondary education

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Original poster

Interim Report from school

90 replies

Trampoline11 · 27/03/2021 16:05

I feel a bit foolish but I am hoping that I can salvage something from this situation that my DS is in.

He is Yr 11 and studying Computer Science. I have obviously misunderstood previous reports as his target grade at the start of yr 10 was a D.

School have encouraged him re 6th form, college (needs 5 C's at least) but I was given his report yesterday and his target grade is a D. His work is up to date according to the report.

Am I missing something here? I have emailed school but no reply as it's the holiday now.

I mean, hasn't he improved at all since year 10? I feel I could get an E and I'm pretty useless with computers! Parents evenings have been positive and it's his favourite subject.

Maybe someone knows what criteria they use in year 9/10 that would make his target grade so low? Just for info, he's in top set for maths and 2 for English.

I'm baffled tbh and want to know if there's anything I can do for him? I won't of course but I feel like telling him not to bother putting any work in. A 'D'? Long time ago but when I was in school that was a fail.

Can anyone throw any light on this as I feel something isn't right but I may have left it too late?

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Trampoline11 · 28/03/2021 18:08

Thanks for replying. Definitely a GCSE although what do I know?

It's become apparent that I am not 'up to speed' with things!

OP posts:
Lougle · 28/03/2021 18:14

Ok, well that's out then. It just seems really strange that you're having a low grade prediction alongside being urged to take the subject further.

MrsHamlet · 28/03/2021 18:18

I'm baffled by the exams officer suggesting it as his main subject if he's going to get a D.
First of all, the exams officer is not normally a teacher.
Secondly, they don't normally make suggestions.
Thirdly, a D at Gcse isn't really indicative of a good a level choice. We actually don't insist on comp sci GCSE for A level but only because we have feeders who don't do it. We ask for a 6 in maths.

TeenMinusTests · 28/03/2021 18:37

I'm baffled.

The only thing that makes sense to me would be the Comp Sci being a BTEC rather than an actual GCSE.

Otherwise the grade is out of kilter with other grades (whether target or predicted), and no one in their right mind would be recommending it for college if he is effectively 'failing' it at GCSE.

But OP says definitely GCSE. So I have no idea.

clary · 28/03/2021 18:48

Yes agree, the exams officer if not a teacher, so would be a strange person to discuss subjects with.

If he is going to get a D grade it's an odd choice for A level tho agree, not necessary to do Computer Science GCSE to take the A level. But if you are taking it I would expect a better grade if you planned to take it further.

TBH at DS2's school, you are not usually accepted to take any A level if you got less than a 6 in GCSE - which is about equivalent to a B OP.

Has his school broken up for Easter? If not, then on Monday I would call the school and check what he is expected to achieve in CS (not his target, never mind about that) . Don't worry about FFT or that he was an LAC - the key thing is, will he get a good enough grade to go on to A level. If not, he should think about another subject. What subjects is he on track for As in? They would be my choice.

HelloDulling · 28/03/2021 18:52

@Trampoline11 Send me a DM with your email address and I’ll send them over now.

MrHannigansCat · 28/03/2021 19:04

@Trampoline11 as he is year 11 he should know which exam board he has been put in for so if you can start with that it would help us point you and your son toward resources if needed.

Has your son had any feedback through his work as to what his current working grade is?

Ds had issues with the whole target grade being based on Yr6 SATs grades so although he was punching 3 grades above his "target" grade the system wouldn't accept you could achieve this (his teacher was Senior Leadership too and couldn't over-ride it) but instead would cross through the grade and hand write what he would get.

Re past papers, if he has completed any he needs to go back through them and see where he dropped marks. Once he identifies where he needs to improve he can then look at how to do that and where. There are lots of things on YouTube but the exam board details helps as it makes it more specific.

You really can turn it around in a very short space of time which is what he has, but it is completely achievable. Let's face it, over a school holiday how many hours is he awake? Minus off meal breaks, generous toilet breaks, work out what is left, break that down into manageable chunks with breaks in between. He can do this. You haven't failed him because you care enough to ask here for a start. He sounds like he is doing well in other subjects.

clary · 28/03/2021 19:09

Sorry I see you said in your OP that school is now broken up.

Ask him what board he is doing,. Agree he must know. Double double check it is a GCSE - if indeed it is a BTEC or Cambridge Nationals then yes, a D could be the top grade (distinction).

Going through past papers (available online with the mark scheme) is really helpful. Do one, mark it, see where you went wrong, address that.

HelloDulling · 28/03/2021 19:14

All Welsh (state) schools do the WJEC exams.

SeasonFinale · 29/03/2021 17:17

I do not think if he has other subjects where he is scoring higher than a D that anyone at school would be encouraging him to take that subject into 6th form. There must be a mistake with the grade or he has expressed his wish to do that subject at A level.

Original poster
Trampoline11 · 29/03/2021 17:37

Thanks @SeasonFinale. This is why I am confused and ashamed that I haven't picked this up sooner.

Surely though if it was an 'expressed wish to do that subject at A level' someone should have told him he's not good enough for that?

Nobody has though. As I said previously - why just this subject? Seem strange to me.

OP posts:
SeasonFinale · 29/03/2021 17:44

They may have noted down that it was his preference and then had that chat once his results were in hand as (a) he may pull it out of the bag and (b) until they see what he actually achieves for his other subjects it may still be an option. The exams officer would not normally know his grades unless he took them with him to the meeting. Is it something he does wish to carry on with?

Original poster
Trampoline11 · 29/03/2021 17:51

Yes. It's what he'd like to do in college. I've had a chat to him and the next two weeks he will be doing any assignments he's missed. As you said - he needs to pull it out of the bag

OP posts:
Original poster
Trampoline11 · 30/03/2021 14:50

Good news! DS has completed 3 out of 4 assignments. So pleased as something must be getting through to him.

It's a shame schools are closed but at least it's a positive step.

OP posts:
Lougle · 30/03/2021 19:03

Fantastic! Well done to both of you.

NotDonna · 30/03/2021 21:57

Ah well done to him for knuckling down! I still think it’s really odd that he’s being given grade D yet told it’s a good choice for A level. What kind of results (percentages or raw scores like 80% & 8/10 etc) does he get for homework, end of topic tests, and the last few assignments he’s done? He will know this.

Original poster
Trampoline11 · 31/03/2021 16:26

Just have to convince the school now!

OP posts:
Original poster
Trampoline11 · 31/03/2021 16:28

Thanks @NotDonna. I'll ask him. All he has told me is that teacher has said what he does produce is good.

So frustrating that it's a school holday.

OP posts:
NotDonna · 31/03/2021 17:09

Even though they’re on hols I’d send an email as it’s such a big deal. It’s highly likely no one will reply but on the off chance it’s worth a quick email. I’d title it with an attention seeking heading such as... ‘Grade D GCSE enough for A level’ then in the body explain. Definitely highlight D GCSE & A level as that’s the crux of the issue and if there’s been a misunderstanding that should grab their attention. I’m still thinking there’s been an error and fingers crossed too!

Original poster
Trampoline11 · 31/03/2021 17:58

Yes I'll do that. I usually just put his name and year.

I am ever the optimist and hoping that it'll be due to some league thing - that he started with a D and we are so wonderful that he has achieved an A! (You'd think I'd know better at my age!)

OP posts:
SeasonFinale · 31/03/2021 18:03

Please be careful that you phrase any email as a query as the exam guidance states that schools must report any parents that attempt to assert undue pressure on a school to influence grades. Make it clear you want to understand where he is rather than you are trying to persuade them otherwise.

Original poster
Trampoline11 · 31/03/2021 18:24

Thanks @SeasonFinale. I appreciate your advice. I'm not a 'go in guns all blazing' parent but feel I've been very passive in the past and accepted that they know better than me and have his best interests at heart. Which I'm sure they do. I know that they want him to succeed.

How on earth would anyone think that I would/could assert undue pressure on a school to influence grades? I mean, they're bigger than me aren't they?

I do know that things go on in schools which I don't like to think about but I don't see how they would believe that I could 'attempt undue pressure' on them.

OP posts:
TeenMinusTests · 31/03/2021 18:46

I suspect Season means that some parents may be sending in emails like:

In setting your grades for James, please remember he was off with a cold one day in year 10 which may have impacted his recent assessments. Can I also remind you he really needs an 8 for his Art as otherwise it will impact his Oxbridge application to read French.

SeasonFinale · 31/03/2021 21:48

Yes unfortunately that is the case and the JCQ guidance states the following:

"Students, or individuals acting on behalf of a student, such as parents/carers, might also try to influence grade decisions by applying pressure to centres or their staff. The awarding organisations anticipate that the majority of such instances will be dealt with by the centre internally – in such cases, we ask that the centres retain clear and reliable records of the circumstances and the
steps taken, and that students are made aware of the outcome. However, if a student continues to inappropriately attempt to pressure centre staff then please inform the relevant awarding organisation using the JCQ M1 form.

The awarding organisations will contact your centre if we receive credible allegations that such pressure has been applied in order that appropriate steps can be taken. In all the scenarios listed above, as well as any others that have not been explicitly identified here, the JCQ Suspected malpractice policies and procedures 2020-2026 continues to apply." (page 46 JCQ guidance)

The student could end up being disqualified!

SeasonFinale · 31/03/2021 21:50

So that was why I suggested making it clear you were asking where he was and what he needs to do rather than I am here to say he is better than that surely?

I hope the teacher will just say ignore the computer generated grade he is doing better than that suggests.