What happens if they fail English GCSE?!

[airpodz]

DS is in year 11 and on course to get grade 9s in maths and all his science subjects (which he wants to do at A level).

He is dyslexic and will struggle to pass English -- which is a requirement for all the sixth forms he's applied to.

What happens if he fails his English?

He is otherwise bright and with the help of a tutor between now and then I am sure he will be fine. Also do they specify whether it can be in English Language or English Literature or either. My dyslexic sons ended up with A and A (older) and 9 and 8 (younger) in the English gcses. Remember the 25% extra time is there to level up. Their school started exam technique after February half term and basically once they mastered the "formula" for what was expected for each type of answer they cracked it.

And actually yes the older one did use a reader pen.

Have you asked for a Scribe ?

A scribe us someone who writes out the answers he gives in an exam

He's allowed to ask for a scribe

How is with a computer he can of course do his exams on a PC and ask for extra time

It's worth bearing in mind that ESFA funding applies with a 4 in either English Language or Literature if he's taking both.

How is he able to achieve a 9 in maths with dyslexia? A friend's child struggles with maths because he can't read and understand the questions. He has taken maths GCSE 4 times and never managed more than a 3. He did pass English on his first attempt though.

My Dd who is also dyslexic got a 3 in her English mock. We hired a tutor who after the first session said her main issue was exam technique/not knowing what was required. She got an 8 in her actual exam. So I do agree that looking at mark schemes, etc and past papers will help a lot.

but also if he passes but doesn’t get the high grade the sixth form wants then definitely appeal/contact them and plead his case. He’s obviously bright and on track to get good grades in the subjects he wants to do in sixth form which is more important!

Dyslexia affects people on different ways tho and to different degrees. Friend of dd's is dyslexic and gained 6 x 9 and 4 x 8 in her GCSEs, Inc 9s in both English.

Thats why I suggested the dyslexia alone doesn't mean a low English grade, esp when he scores so highly in other subjects.

That's brilliant @CormorantStrikesBack - just shows that so much of Eng lang especially is about exam technique. Well done to your Dd.

Hmmm, interesting re the scribe. I will look in to that.

He’s already got the grade 9 in maths as he took it early. So I know I’m not inflating his abilities.

We got him a private educational psychologist assessment and he was in the bottom 1% for something… maybe writing speed? I suppose someone has to be. But it does underline his very unusual profile.