Lower ability children and GCSEs

[Hatcat]

I don’t have any up to date knowledge of what is available to children in secondary schools so any help would be appreciated. Do children who struggle academically have any options other than GCSEs? My DC are struggling academically and it seems like a gloomy school future for them to constantly find the work too difficult.

My children's school has a pretty good selection of non-GCSE options - looking at the options choices there are BTECs in IT, digital media, performing arts, music tech, health and social care, travel and tourism plus another qualification called NCFE which is in health and fitness or graphic design. Plus a course in child development. Reading some of the other replies on here, it seems to be far more than is offered in some other areas. The children would still have to sit some GCSE subjects too but the bulk of their options could be non-GCSE

Op why are they low ability?

There is always a reason and Someone has to be at the bottom. However, DC with such low ability there must be a reason and why aren't they getting support??

@Hatcat what years are your children in? Ds's school have a 2 track system one for academically able children and the other where there are more vocational options available.

I do feel like Ruby that there is usually a reason, did they come into secondary already low ability? I know you said you tried to help with some year 8 chemistry but did you yourself do any research online? There are lots of resources online especially YouTube and specifically for year 8 chemistry. Do your children also try to help themselves in this way?

I would speak to the school, preferably head of year to share your concerns too.

I wish my DD's school offered some of these initiatives. She's in Y9, currently working around a level 2 in most subjects. She has SEN/learning difficulties and an EHCP, but is at a mainstream secondary that likes to brag about it's academics.

There is very little on offer for the less academically able. Even with an EHCP she has no direct intervention. She's expected to do 9 GCSEs + 1 BTEC. They may let her drop down to 8 at a minimum (2 of the GCSEs are creative/coursework subjects). I'd love them to offer something like the "nurture track" that @neverendinglauaundry mentioned.