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Secondary education

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

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Original poster

How can I help get my ds through his Nov maths resit?

53 replies

Anxiousthoughts · 24/08/2025 18:40

Just that really. Ds didn't have a great set of GCSE results, but we were both shocked about a grade 3 in maths.

Back story - this time last year he was breezing grade 5s in the foundation paper, started doing higher paper topics in Y11, panicked and got a U in his Nov mocks.

I asked that he did he foundation paper, although he seemed to have developed a panic about maths and got a 2 in his Feb mocks. His teacher was clear that it's a confidence issue - he's actually quite competent. She did not think that he was looking at resitting.

I thought that the best way to prepare for his GCSEs was doing past papers under timed conditions. He did lots up to the mocks, which I marked and he was getting 85% +. I'm as sure as I can be that I was objective - answers were either right or wrong, the right working was there or it wasn't.

Ds thought that the exams went well, although he scored 42,43, 44 so a total of 129, 15 marks off a grade 4.

I want to help him, but I don't know how. He has no idea why he couldn't replicate what he was doing at home in the exam room.

He gets extra time and rest breaks as he has a visual processing disorder, but didn't use them. Obvs not helpful but he hadn't used extra time at home either.

His sister suggested that being in a smaller room with other DC who needed adjustments provided a lot of distractions as there would have been some messing around. I don't know.

He refuses point blank to consider a tutor. What can I do for him at home?

TIA

OP posts:

noblegiraffe · 24/08/2025 19:38

Ask the school to send you a copy of his papers (and the markschemes). They can get them for free for the exam board but the school may charge a small admin fee for this.

Look through his papers and compare them to ones he did at home if you still have them. You should get some idea of whether the problem was not finishing the paper, not reading the questions properly, making silly mistakes or not actually knowing what needed to be done.

What he needs to do from there will depend on what the issues are.

rachrose8 · 24/08/2025 19:59

Look at Corbett 5-a-day here https://corbettmaths.com/5-a-day/gcse/. I’d e commend doing most days.
Start with the foundation, which is for grade 3 and 4, and keep a list of topics he gets wrong, then once a week, he should try some questions on that topic (again on Corbett go to the “videos and worksheets” section - if on a laptop you can do ctrl f to then type a topic to search easily. Thee are videos to help)
Alos, continue doing past exam papers (use other boards for practice to start with) and again keep a check on the topics that are tricky. He needs to be confident in all the straightforward topics, and should aim for nearly full marks on the first half of the paper if he’s wanting a 4.
There are other resources out there but Corbett is great (you can also but the 5 a day book so he can write his answers down - this is what I did for my daughter). Hope this helps (I’m a secondary maths teacher).
Why is he refusing a tutor? A grade 4 in Maths is key qualification. If he won’t have one, perhaps you say if he doesn’t get a 4 in November then he will need one to get a 4 in June (so he’s got 2 months to work hard).
I agree that it would be good to get his papers, but you won’t be able to access mark schemes as they are kept secure as schools use last years papers as mocks.

5-a-day GCSE 9-1 – Corbettmaths

The Corbettmaths 5-a-day for the 9-1 GCSE.

https://corbettmaths.com/5-a-day/gcse/

Original poster

Anxiousthoughts · 24/08/2025 20:11

Thanks both. To my knowledge, he would need to give written consent for the school to get his papers. Or would I be able to access them without him knowing?

He will be utterly furious if I suggest this and will dig his heels in even more about doing any revision.

He's refusing a tutor because his response to any offer of help is 'no' (see above re: extra time, laptop and rest breaks). He's ashamed about how he did, but doesn't have the maturity to acknowledge that having some additional help now will increase the chances of him not having to resit again.

I will look at Corbett maths thanks.

OP posts:

rachrose8 · 24/08/2025 20:29

Regarding the extra time (assuming it is in place with school/College already and he just said he’d finished when the others finished?) I’d let him do a timed paper at home (probably 1 hour 30 - depending on what exam board) then give him a different colour pen to work on in the extra time, which might show him that he could get a few extra marks in this time (or else use it for checking over his work)

noblegiraffe · 24/08/2025 20:33

You think he would refuse to ask the school for a copy of his papers?

It sounds like he worked hard for the original exam, is he intending to do any work for the resit?

Nevertrustacop · 24/08/2025 20:36

Sorry OP, if he won't engage, you can't help him

Mathsdebator · 24/08/2025 20:41

Follow Hannah Kettle on TikTok. She does live sessions every week where she goes through a full paper. Print the paper before the session so he can do it in real time

Lookingforadvice345 · 25/08/2025 00:38

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Original poster

Anxiousthoughts · 25/08/2025 14:00

noblegiraffe · 24/08/2025 20:33

You think he would refuse to ask the school for a copy of his papers?

It sounds like he worked hard for the original exam, is he intending to do any work for the resit?

He would likely be furious. He's embarrassed about how he did and doesn't have the maturity to recognise that looking over the papers would ultimately be beneficial.

He point blank refuses a tutor because his response to any suggestions of help is 'no' (see above re: extra time, laptop and rest breaks).

I get the 'if he won't engage, you can't help' line but I'm not ready to give up on my 16 year old.

Thanks for the TikTok suggestion. I've remembered that they used to do the Corbett's maths 5 a day in school, so he may be receptive to that.

OP posts:

Original poster

Anxiousthoughts · 26/08/2025 02:11

Update. Had a brief but good chat with ds today. He surprised me by not getting angry when I suggested that we request copies of his papers to see 'what went wrong' - he genuinely doesn't understand himself. Said he'd think about it. We can't do anything until school is back, and I hope he can keep hold of this mature attitude. He also said he's willing to do the 5 a day Corbett papers.

He's aware that over 40% of kids 'failed' maths this year, which seems to be helping him Keep this particular result in perspective.

OP posts:

RampantIvy · 26/08/2025 02:19

Is there any way you can convince him that getting extra help is not a failure or being weak?

Could you use some analogies like deaf people using hearing aids or something similar?

DD had a tutor for maths as it took her a little longer to "get" new concepts. Having a tutor just helped her to understand everything. She jumped up 2 grades.

verycloakanddaggers · 26/08/2025 02:24

It's good he's thinking about requesting the papers, it's a start. Maybe you could speak to tutoring companies to get someone lined up in case he does agree, and try to talk to him about how 'someone at work was saying their son found it really hard at school but it clicked once they had a 1-1 tutor because they could ask any questions in private and no one else was there to distract them'.

Original poster

Anxiousthoughts · 26/08/2025 06:20

Thanks both. I will research tutors and pick my moment about mentioning it again.

It's not so much that he doesn't know enough to pass - he was getting really high marks on practice papers in the lead up, but a tutor would help improve his confidence I'm sure.

OP posts:

Musntapplecrumble · 26/08/2025 06:25

Wonder if he'd be more receptive to an online tutor? 🤔

Original poster

Anxiousthoughts · 26/08/2025 06:38

I don't know. On one hand, online increases the options, on the other it's less engaging.

A friend of his did group tutoring went to a tutoring centre during Y10 and Y11. Ds is aware that friend did much better than him. This might be some leverage.

OP posts:

EmeraldJeanie · 26/08/2025 08:00

With the extra time he needs to realise many pupils have this for varying reasons. My ds did well in gcses and has extra time round his visual processing. He also does a mix of typing and writing (depending on the exam. Writing in maths) due to appalling handwriting. Assessments round him going forward in sixth form as issues picked up late.
What I'm trying to say is, in his room for exams wide range of children having extra time for different reasons.

EmeraldJeanie · 26/08/2025 08:03

When first got extra time in year 10 some surprise from his friends. However, very brief and they all agreed about his handwriting! He is overthinking how much attention children pay to each other. I hope he does accept his extra time for resits.

GrumpyMuleFan · 26/08/2025 08:21

My DD is resitting maths in Nov as she got a 4 and was hoping for a 6. She needs a higher grade for potential uni course. For exams, she has extra time and breaks when needed. She also is in her own room, which really helps her.

she was doing much better in her maths and like your DS, the result was a shock and she’s embarrassed. She’d love to put it down to an off day and prepare in the same way as before, but I think we need a new approach. We got her paper and an maths tutor went over it. It showed lots of silly mistakes, early in each paper. Also, getting the topic/approach wrong a few times.

Weve signed up to CGP Maths Buster, which has online tests with instant feedback and worked examples. There’s also a companion book with videos. I think over practising/over learning will be helpful. She’s also making a flash card for every mis-step she makes, so that she is learning the exact thing she has gone wrong on. I’m not explaining this v well, but trying to re use in a way that tackles the micro moments she needs.

Last year she used a lot of Corbett Maths materials. They have a v good book called 100 Days. She also did a lot of past papers. We’re not using Corbett maths at the moment as need the novelty of something new. It really is superb though.

Really good luck to your DS. I think you’re right not to give up on him: learning how to handle a big disappointment is tough, esp when it comes with more hard work. But, having you to help bridge that is a big boost for them. DD started revising on Saturday and I sat with her and we did it together. Yesterday she sat working in the kitchen while I cooked. No doubt she’ll soon be back in her room: either way I’m happy to support her.

Original poster

Anxiousthoughts · 26/08/2025 11:40

Thanks. I understand all this, it's getting ds to get it that's the problem!

OP posts:

Original poster

Anxiousthoughts · 26/08/2025 11:41

Those who have got papers back, do you have to go through the exams officer at school or can the candidate approach the board directly?

TIA

OP posts:

MrsHamlet · 26/08/2025 11:42

The candidate has to go through the centre.

Original poster

Anxiousthoughts · 26/08/2025 12:20

Thanks.

OP posts:

GrumpyMuleFan · 27/08/2025 07:22

Maybe write him a letter?

Original poster

Anxiousthoughts · 27/08/2025 10:10

Thanks. I think I need to back off a bit tbh. The fact that he's amenable to getting his scripts back is a big win.

I'm in a dreadful state of anxiety (about other things as well) and it doesn't do him any good.

OP posts:

GrumpyMuleFan · 27/08/2025 12:57

Sending you a big hug OP. Worrying about our kids is so tough - it’s like rust.

I just had a chat with the Acadenic co-ordinator at DD college. She mentioned some don’t start on maths resit until later in the year.

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