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Secondary education

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Original poster

How many GCSEs is too many?

106 replies

OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 18:12

DC will be taking 13 GCSEs due to triple science and 2x extra maths.
The impact on their exam timetable has only just dawned on me (more exams on the same day, less days between exams).
Extra maths would usually be taken a year early but this didn't happen due to Covid.
School have said that dropping GCSEs isn't an option.
Grades would probably be:
9x 7ish
2x 4/5
2x 3
This isn't a moan or a humble brag. I'm genuinely looking for advice.

OP posts:
thetrees · 04/02/2023 18:13

What is the point? Have I understood correctly, he'll get some at grade 3? Can he not just drop those?

thetrees · 04/02/2023 18:14

Sorry, you said not. I honestly don't think there is any need to take more than 9, 10 at the most, so it seems very unusual behaviour on the part of his school

Blueemeraldagain · 04/02/2023 18:15

Absolutely no point doing so many GCSEs if he’s not predicted to pass… effort would surely be better spent pulling those 4/5s up.

LIZS · 04/02/2023 18:16

Not much point getting a 3 if time could be better spent on improving other subjects. Which are the likely 3s?

Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 18:17

LIZS · 04/02/2023 18:16

Not much point getting a 3 if time could be better spent on improving other subjects. Which are the likely 3s?

Geography
RE

4/5s are English Lang & Lit

OP posts:
thirdfiddle · 04/02/2023 18:18

That's too many in my book.
Even for a straight-A kid I can see little point in doing more than say 10. If that leaves time, use it for getting life skills - DofE, hobbies, volunteering, PT job.

Mum2jenny · 04/02/2023 18:18

Over 12 is excessive imo

kessiebird · 04/02/2023 18:19

Unless the grade 3s are maths, science or English then it's sensible to not put effort into those subjects and concentrate on the ones predicted at 4/5 and above. Especially if the 4/5 are English or maths to ensure he passes those. Or he will have to resit in Post 16. Suspect the school have entered him into the exams by now

thirdfiddle · 04/02/2023 18:20

What's going on with school then? Most schools don't impose that many, is it an unusual school or some kind of you've started so you'll finish?

Notjusta · 04/02/2023 18:21

I would 100% want my child putting effort into securing a good pass in English at the expense of RE & Geography. I'd be tempted to tell them not to bother revising or putting much effort in and focusing on English. It seems like a crazy set up! I'm surprised the school are willing to allow it as it must impact on their overall grade picture/averages etc.

Hellocatshome · 04/02/2023 18:21

The school may say he cant drop GCSEs but there is nothing stopping him either
A) not doing any revision for them, concentrating on his other subjects especially English, sitting the exams and seeing what he gets
B) not revising for then and not turning up for the exams, although you will have to pay the exam fee and I think it goes down as a U or whatever the equivalent is in the new system.

Lottsbiffandsmudge · 04/02/2023 18:21

He will have been entered. So not much you can do except not bother with the 3s...
Out of interest how is he doing 2 extra maths gcses...

Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 18:21

thirdfiddle · 04/02/2023 18:18

That's too many in my book.
Even for a straight-A kid I can see little point in doing more than say 10. If that leaves time, use it for getting life skills - DofE, hobbies, volunteering, PT job.

That's what I think. But I'm scared the school will say drop the extra maths if I ask to drop something. I didn't consider the impact when the extras were offered to top set at the start of year 10. DC wants to do maths A level.

OP posts:
NeedingCoffee · 04/02/2023 18:23

Sounds completely nuts to me. Especially if dropping 2 leads to a greater likelihood of the 8/9s in maths which are aligned with greater likelihood of success at A level maths.

PatriciaHolm · 04/02/2023 18:23

Is he predicted a 7 for maths? what about the other maths.

Hate to say it, but I'm not sure a 7 is really enough to be comfortable for A Level. It's a very hard A level.

ShowOfHands · 04/02/2023 18:25

DD is doing 12 for similar reasons (stats and further maths on top of maths, as well as triple science). The numbers are bumped up because of that. However, in her case all top set students are taught the same maths syllabus so the stats GCSE and further maths are taught in usual lesson time. They can opt not to take further maths or stats if they like.

DD is predicted all 9s or 8s (and got them in mocks) but if she were predicted below a 5, I'd consider asking them to rethink.

ErrolTheDragon · 04/02/2023 18:25

That's odd, especially nowadays. Isn't 'extra maths' usually only for kids predicted 8/9 in maths?

My dd did 12, but that was pre-reform with mostly A* or A predictions. She had a few days when there were clashes with 3 exams, and she got a grade lower in some of the clash day subjects than she'd been predicted.

Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 18:27

Lottsbiffandsmudge · 04/02/2023 18:21

He will have been entered. So not much you can do except not bother with the 3s...
Out of interest how is he doing 2 extra maths gcses...

GCSE statistics and Level 2 Further maths. I think it's quite common for some schools to do this- they usually do GCSE maths in Year 10 and get it out of the way but didn't risk it because of covid.

OP posts:
LIZS · 04/02/2023 18:27

Have entries for this summer been finalised yet? Just tell school he will not be attending geography and re. Unfortunately you need to declare all those entered, even if failed, so better if he can withdraw now. English needs to be solid to support other subjects and progress. Other than maths (2/3)and science(3) what subjects are left?

Tulipvase · 04/02/2023 18:28

What are the extra subjects?

My daughter did 11 and that included 3 x science and stats as well as std maths and 2 x English and her 4 options.

13 does seem a lot.

Stickstickstickstickstick · 04/02/2023 18:28

GCSE entry date is 21st, but school might have already paid his entry fees. Sometimes they’ll let you withdraw if you’ll cover the entry fee because they won’t get it back.

ShowOfHands · 04/02/2023 18:28

ErrolTheDragon · 04/02/2023 18:25

That's odd, especially nowadays. Isn't 'extra maths' usually only for kids predicted 8/9 in maths?

My dd did 12, but that was pre-reform with mostly A* or A predictions. She had a few days when there were clashes with 3 exams, and she got a grade lower in some of the clash day subjects than she'd been predicted.

At our school, it's offered to all top set students and a handful of set 2 students. They're all predicted 7+. They don't have to take the exams but they teach them all the advanced syllabus and let them choose.

Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 18:29

PatriciaHolm · 04/02/2023 18:23

Is he predicted a 7 for maths? what about the other maths.

Hate to say it, but I'm not sure a 7 is really enough to be comfortable for A Level. It's a very hard A level.

I'm erring on the side of caution. Mock was 8+
6th form say at least a 7 to do A level

OP posts:
FarethemFareMeFareYou · 04/02/2023 18:30

If he drops Geography and RE then he can spend a bit more time concentrating on English.

pinkflop · 04/02/2023 18:34

My son's school won't let them drop a GCSE as they've no provision to look after the student whilst the dropped subject takes place.