Schools not entering for GCSE exams

[OrangeSyringe]

Is it usual for state schools to have a policy where the school decides if a child will be entered for the GCSE exams? The child will choose their options but this doesn’t guarantee that the school will let them sit the exam.

If this was to happen to my child, how easy would it be to register them as an individual?

If a child starts in sixth form to do A levels at what point must the school keep them on and enter them for the exams? Or are there no rules?

If there is no evidence they will pass, mainly due to attendance where i work, they wont get entered.

Thanks Fallon. Things have changed so much since my day. Everyone was entered and there were many U s!

The only reason we wouldn’t enter them would be if they would 100% get a U. I’ve got a student in year 11 that I’ve never met, so we’ve not entered them. I’ve also got a student that has been in isolation for the majority of lessons - they’ve probably been in my classroom a total of 40 minutes since year 9 due to dangerous behaviour (practical subject) so they won’t be entered either as they refuse to complete the set work in isolation and have no coursework completed.

The only children not entered for exams are non attenders or those who have done so little work they are unlikely to get even the lowest grade.

Is this likely to happen to your child? What has actually happened/been said?

Oh, no, I don’t think it’s likely to happen to my child. Not based on your answers. I was slightly concerned before receiving them though as I did think it helped explain the schools good results!

It is Options time and this is what the parents have been told. I am really surprised. I assumed every child had the right to be entered for exams.

Thanks

I have only heard of this happening a couple of times, and it was when there was absolutely no chance the student would get above a U. If you can find an exam centre, you can register them as an independent candidate, but if all of the child's teachers are saying they'll get a U, you might want to consider whether that's a good idea.

On thing to remember is that any students applying to university have to list ALL grades on their UCAS application. It generally looks better (for both the student and the school) if they end up with e.g. 8 grade 4/5s, than 8 grade 4/5s plus 1 U.

My DSis went to a very selective school. If you were not going to pass ie get a C or above, you were deselected from that subject. For two subjects it was politely suggested that you moved schools. The stubborn cow got the only D in her year group

@OrangeSyringe

Oh, no, I don’t think it’s likely to happen to my child. Not based on your answers. I was slightly concerned before receiving them though as I did think it helped explain the schools good results!

It is Options time and this is what the parents have been told. I am really surprised. I assumed every child had the right to be entered for exams.

Thanks

Is this a private school OP? They will do anything to protect their pass rate.

That’s the sort of thing I was concerned about Post, but based on energy or else’s answers I think I’m worrying about nothing. It’s not a selective school.

Happened to a friend's daughter. Not entered for her MFL exam, Spanish I think but could be wrong. It was 3 years ago in SWEngland high performing state school. Said it was to free up her time on A level and core subjects but Friend was cross as thought it was more to do with the school's grade protection

If they are unlikely to pass the exam for a variety of reasons you would not enter them.
There should be a discussion about what the issue was, what support had or could be offered along with other options to delay or alter the pathway Attendance, lack of work ethos, staffing issues, illness, and so on, can all have an impact. It is never the same for every child.

For a very few students they may be not doing well for various reason and maybe removed from some subjects to relieve the pressure on them and allow them to focus on fewer subjects.

Placemarking