5 GCSEs?

[ittakes2]

My daughter is unfort struggling with health issues and the school has suggested she drop to 5 gcses (the engishes, maths, combined science). The school said she can still do A levels. Does anyone have any knowledge/experience of their child doing this? thank you

Hi @ittakes2 we had to do this with DD due to health issues, it was fine she’s currently applying for university and the only thing they were bothered about was English and Math being at pass grades

I think that as long as you can demonstrate adequate study in key stage 5 they aren’t too worried

The only caveat I would say is what A levels would she want to do?
Fine if it is maths, English or Science.
Not fine if it is MFL, and not ideal if humanities.

Does she have to do all 3 sciences. Can she not pick her top 2 and drop the other and do a more interesting subject to her choice? Assuming she doesn't want to work in science.

when Combined is only 2 GCSEs anyway. If she drops one she has to do more of the others and it screws up timetabling generally.

As well as the potential problems with A level choices Teen mentioned, some sixth forms have entry criteria based on average point score on the best 6/7/8 grades, so it would be a good idea to ask the sixth forms DD is planning to apply to if they do and if so will they make an exception.

If the health issues prevent DD attending school often does she receive medical needs tuition?

@TeenMinusTests

The only caveat I would say is what A levels would she want to do? Fine if it is maths, English or Science. Not fine if it is MFL, and not ideal if humanities.

Yes this is exactly what I thought.

What does she plan to do for A level OP? If it is history it might be OK; geography I suspect less so and MFL no way. Of course it she is looking at eng lit and new subjects such as psych or sociology, or maths and sciences, then should be OK. this is assuming the health issues will be resolved, which I hope will be so for your DD.

The only subjects you can’t do at A level without a gcse in the subject (apart from maths English and sciences) are MFL and possibly Art, although a good portfolio can be acceptable instead. Ask the school about A levels or other level 3 qualifications they suggest.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. To be honest it’s been tricky as she is not sure about A levels but I have asked the a level programmes she might be interested in what there minimum number of A levels she needs.

For health reasons DD took both English, basic maths, combined science and art.

Went on to do a levels in eng lit, art and sociology

Now at university.

Miracle outcome for her. X

IMHO it is better to have 5 good grades at GCSE than 10 poor grades.

It doesn't mean she can only study the 5 subjects, there are alternative level 2 qualifications and as someone already suggested for art she could work on a portfolio.

It might be worth looking at level 3 courses that are not A Levels as well, just so she has some idea of where she is going.

thanks everyone
thesunwillout I am very pleased for your daughter.

My godson only did five, studying for them at home, for medical reasons. He went on to get an A and two As at A-level and an A in his EPQ (although there was a bit of red tape to negotiate to get him into the right college and I think he had to take the higher maths GCSE alongside the A-level or some such faffing around) and is now at university.

@ittakes2

thanks everyone thesunwillout I am very pleased for your daughter.

Hi thankyou x