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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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:
123rd · 04/02/2023 18:35

If I were his parent I'd tell him to not worry AT ALL about revising the '3' subjects. What's it geo & RE?
Surely he won't have time to revise all of those subjects. ( I get maths & further maths is revising the same)
It's excessive

pinkflop · 04/02/2023 18:38

Are they in Year 10 now? My son's school do GCSE Statistics in a year, so he took the exam at the end of Year 10. Could that be the case for your child?

Lottsbiffandsmudge · 04/02/2023 18:42

It's a lot of maths. I'd focus him om getting a better mark at Eng Lang than the RE/ Geography.
That will be more useful to him. What are his other 3 7 grades (I assume 3 maths, 3 sciences and???)

LondonPsych · 04/02/2023 18:49

I went to a very selective grammar (albeit 20 years ago) and we did 9. Some local comps did more, but, there was very much a "quality over quantity" ethos.

Much better to get 9 great GCSEs and have time to do other things to make you a more well-rounded individual

SeasonFinale · 04/02/2023 18:51

Definitely push to drop those two that are currently 3s especially as the English are borderline. Also anything below a 3 will not be considered a pass so actually he will end up with 11. When he applies to university if he does he has to put all qualifications on his UCAS form. It would be far better to concentrate on the 11 and make sure his English is as good as he can get it.

A 7 at gcse in Maths is more likely to lead to a lower grade if taking Maths A level. See this old thread www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4007205-How-maths-GCSE-result-predicts-A-level-maths-result-important-for-grade-6-7

Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 18:51

pinkflop · 04/02/2023 18:38

Are they in Year 10 now? My son's school do GCSE Statistics in a year, so he took the exam at the end of Year 10. Could that be the case for your child?

They should have done GCSE maths a year early but didn't because of the concern that covid could interfere.

OP posts:
pinkflop · 04/02/2023 18:56

So they should've done the maths exam at the end of Year 10 and then the statistics and further maths exam at the end of Year 11, but they're doing all 3 at the end of Year 11 because covid?

DalaiLlama · 04/02/2023 19:00

Are all the kids taking this many? Genuinely can't understand why a school would put a child in form som many exams when they are not expecting top grades (or at all).

Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 19:00

pinkflop · 04/02/2023 18:56

So they should've done the maths exam at the end of Year 10 and then the statistics and further maths exam at the end of Year 11, but they're doing all 3 at the end of Year 11 because covid?

Yes

OP posts:
LolaSmiles · 04/02/2023 19:01

It's unusual for students at any schools I've worked on to have more than 10, including the more able students as it's better to have fewer subjects to a high level and time to invest in other enrichment.

Standard in my schools have been:
English language
English literature
Maths
Combined or triple science
Language or a technology/vocational option
A humanity subject
A free choice subject
Either a free choice or some do RE/Citizenship

That's 8-9

Some students might take on an extra language, especially if their first language isn't English. Some students might do an extra subject as an extra curricular course.

pinkflop · 04/02/2023 19:06

So they are taking:

Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Maths
Further maths
Statistics
English language
English literature
RE
Geography

What are the other 3??

Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 19:10

pinkflop · 04/02/2023 19:06

So they are taking:

Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Maths
Further maths
Statistics
English language
English literature
RE
Geography

What are the other 3??

I'm getting scared now that a teacher from DCs school will work out who I'm talking about from the subjects! The other 3 are fab subjects that DC has enjoyed and has been really lucky to do. I don't want to upset the school!

OP posts:
Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 19:12

SeasonFinale · 04/02/2023 18:51

Definitely push to drop those two that are currently 3s especially as the English are borderline. Also anything below a 3 will not be considered a pass so actually he will end up with 11. When he applies to university if he does he has to put all qualifications on his UCAS form. It would be far better to concentrate on the 11 and make sure his English is as good as he can get it.

A 7 at gcse in Maths is more likely to lead to a lower grade if taking Maths A level. See this old thread www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4007205-How-maths-GCSE-result-predicts-A-level-maths-result-important-for-grade-6-7

Thank you. I think they'll get an 8- they usually do. I should have put 7+ for those 9 subjects. The table in the link is very useful to see.

OP posts:
Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 19:13

123rd · 04/02/2023 18:35

If I were his parent I'd tell him to not worry AT ALL about revising the '3' subjects. What's it geo & RE?
Surely he won't have time to revise all of those subjects. ( I get maths & further maths is revising the same)
It's excessive

Thank you.

OP posts:
NoMoneyForEducation · 04/02/2023 19:13

Having a couple of 3s and 5s in there will bring down his average point score.
Also it may affect how Universities view any application.

Does he want to take them?

Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 19:13

FarethemFareMeFareYou · 04/02/2023 18:30

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

Yes

OP posts:
Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 19:13

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.

Thank you

OP posts:
titchy · 04/02/2023 19:15

So he's on for a 7/8 in Maths? Tbh taking two extra maths subjects doesn't sound the best idea - if he was a dead cert 9 with his eyes closed yes, but an 8 in a good day - I'd say drop the Stats and the RE. Concentrate on a secure 8 or 9 for Maths and a secure 5 for English. And getting the Geo up to a 4.

Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 19:16

titchy · 04/02/2023 19:15

So he's on for a 7/8 in Maths? Tbh taking two extra maths subjects doesn't sound the best idea - if he was a dead cert 9 with his eyes closed yes, but an 8 in a good day - I'd say drop the Stats and the RE. Concentrate on a secure 8 or 9 for Maths and a secure 5 for English. And getting the Geo up to a 4.

Thank you

OP posts:
pinkflop · 04/02/2023 19:16

😂 you think teachers sit scrolling through the secondary education pages of Mumsnet so they can accuse parents of slagging them off?!

13 is too many, I'm very surprised any school would allow so many, especially if the other 3 that you won't reveal include a language and history.

Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 19:18

pinkflop · 04/02/2023 19:16

😂 you think teachers sit scrolling through the secondary education pages of Mumsnet so they can accuse parents of slagging them off?!

13 is too many, I'm very surprised any school would allow so many, especially if the other 3 that you won't reveal include a language and history.

I do! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 19:20

pinkflop · 04/02/2023 19:16

😂 you think teachers sit scrolling through the secondary education pages of Mumsnet so they can accuse parents of slagging them off?!

13 is too many, I'm very surprised any school would allow so many, especially if the other 3 that you won't reveal include a language and history.

Arty/vocational subjects not language or humanity

OP posts:
Notellinganyone · 04/02/2023 19:25

School can’t actually force anyone to sit GCSEs. 13 is bonkers unless he’s a child genius. I teach at a very academic independent school and we’ve recently cut down on the number of GCSEs. There’s no advantage to doing masses - particularly if you’re not a straight 9 student.

Original poster
OnTh3Up · 04/02/2023 19:26

NoMoneyForEducation · 04/02/2023 19:13

Having a couple of 3s and 5s in there will bring down his average point score.
Also it may affect how Universities view any application.

Does he want to take them?

They'd be happy not to take them. But they like to follow the rules at school- keep their head down. It's me considering pre-emptive action to make some space in the exam timetable. I don't know what's best but I think maybe less is more in this case.

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 04/02/2023 19:26

My dc are at a grammar where 10 is the norm, but they wouldn't be put in for the extra maths unless they were a certain 9. I'm surprised they offer it at a 7/8 - pupils are surely spread too thin. Rather get a 9 just for one maths paper?