Underwhelming GCSEs

[26374hsg]

So, I thought GCSE results day was supposed to be a happy affair, lacking the drama of A levels as most get what they need and move on. However this year I have been really surprised by the results. I had brought into the narrative that a bright kid could coast, apply themselves somewhat towards the end and come out with 7-9s. But instead bright kids from primary are more at the 4-6 end and the ones that do well appear to have worked really hard for it. Have we got used to higher grades through Covid or underestimated the amount of work involved?

Appreciate that this is a highly unscientific observation from a middle class town where the vast majority are state educated in excellent comprehensives. Would be interested to know other experiences, especially as gap between private and state has widened again this year.

I coasted in the second year that GCSEs were set and didn't really revise but it was in the days of coursework so English Lang/Iit and humanities were 100% coursework, Geography was 50% and maths and science were 25%

Much easier than just exams and I came out with AAAAAABBBC (c in physics which I absolutely hated!) (A* didn't exist then) and most of my cohort in top sets achieved similar with little effort.

Most coursework in things like maths was sent back to improve with pointers given and we were all given printouts of what humanities coursework should look like from the year before to get a high grade(!)

One piece of English coursework I copied from an old Smash Hits magazine, just changed the name of the people
In it to current (at the time) pop stars.... another I got an A level friend to write - loads of people's parents had input.

Even languages were easier with prep into which questions would be asked in the oral and aural exams.

Why is he allowed to study below GCSE level aged 16, but at 14 had to study at GCSE level and try to work towards that grade 4? And not just him but so many kids who were not yet at that ability. Why can 16 year olds do Level 1 courses but 14 year olds have to do Level 2 courses?

Oh yes @AmyandPhilipfan I do so agree. My DS1 has LD and failed to pass English multiple times - but took L1 and L2 functional skills (L2 is same level as GCSE grade 4) and passed. Why he could not sit these at school I do not know. It's not the school's fault - they are forced to enter DC who won't even gain a 1. I've seen it multiple times - it's not a huge % of pupils but for them it leaves them feeling they have failed and in some cases I have known it lead to illness and worse.

@smashburgers I am lolling that you used Smash Hits (I used to work there!) for your coursework but I think your story is a pretty good explanation of why coursework was done away with!

My son got mostly 5s a couple
of 6s in 2023 which were lower than he was predicted but he did the bare minimum and the more I went on at him the more he resisted. His school surprised me as they seemed to drum it into the pupils that they only needed 5s which my son really clung onto and he almost missed out on studying English Lit because of this. (Had a remark) My daughter gets top grades but she revises hard, she works completely different to my son and she’s very competitive whereas my son isn’t. He wouldn’t care that his friend got a 9 and he didn’t, however my daughter would and she’d try to achieve that too.

Thanks guys - I think you are correct the media images of endless straight 9 students has warped my perception somewhat. Pleased that it requires hard work and natural aptitude to succeed, that is how it should be.

I have a ds2 coaster. I'm sad I'm going to have to push him this year.

@AmyandPhilipfan couldn’t agree more. I’m a teacher and was just saying to my husband the other day that when i rule the world kids at school will be able to sit level 0+ and 1 courses at school, instead of being forced to dolevel 2s, then going to college and being able to study the above, it’s bonkers.

It’s never been easy to coast and get an A*/A/B 0r 7/8/9. It’s always been easy for a bright child to get a C or 4, but to get to get a higher grade has required some effort. There have always been kids who for
some reason think it’s uncool to try hard, so tell everyone they’ve done no work , even when they have.