Do schools need parents authorisation to register your child for a GCSE (that the school doesn't teach)?

[flipppp]

Just that really, can schools register your child for a GCSE without your authorisation? This is a GCSE that they don't teach at the school... If the child doesn't want to do this GCSE can the school just register your child anyway?

The school will have to pay an exam fee if they register your child for a subject.

So I’m slightly at a loss to understand why they would do this if it wasn’t something your child was actually studying at school …

They can, but they can't force your child to take the exam so it won't affect you if they do.

In my school (and I assume all others!) when pupils are entered for GCSE and A Level exams they receive a statement of entries which they have to check (because sometimes there are optional units and it's important to make sure each pupil is entered for the correct exam) and sign/agree to. If they don't want to sit an exam they can't be forced to. The situation you describe sounds very unusual - is it a subject which is delivered off-site/in collaboration with another school? Or a native language?

I'm guessing this is a native language. Have a conversation with the school - they may just have assumed DC would be up for getting an extra GCSE. If their command of the language is good, it might be worth them trying a mock just to see how they do, and then make the decision. If they don't actually have much written language, then they may not do so well and the school should recognise that it's only worth doing if the grade is going to be comparable with their other grades.