Predicted 8 in GCSEs

[Kittlewittle]

My child is predicted this across the board. Is this the equivalent of a low A*?

No.
It's a A*
A 9 is A**

Thank you, the information is a bit conflicting online, and this grading is since my time.

She goes to a standard comprehensive and gets on with things by herself. Am I safe to let that continue? It seems like she is doing pretty well, and I think could get do even better in some subjects.

You may also find that some subjects or teachers are reluctant to predict 9s until nearer the exams, if at all. (DD was never predicted a 9 in a subject she was planning to do at A-level - she checked with friends, and nobody else was either, so we decided not to worry about it. They did get their 9s.) I think there would be something to be said for predicting "8+", ie saying that they think there's a good chance of a 9 but they don't want to promise.

That is fair, and I guess it gives children a reason to strive as well (rather than thinking a 9 is a safe bet). She is only in year 10 so it is early days. She has received over 90% in all the tests she has done so far (some of which have been GCSE papers)

It sounds as though she is doing really well @Kittlewittle. All grade 8s would be an amazing result in GCSEs. Very very few DC get all grade 9s despite what you may think from reading MN. Like, about 1300 a year.

I agree btw, I am really unkeen to predict a grade 9 (I think I have done it once with a really amazing student) as it seems to me to put such pressure on. I would usually talk about targeting "grade 7 +".

Thank you, she is very bright. I think she could get grade 9s too, but we will see. Her school has such a wide range of abilities that I was worried that she wouldn't be stretched, but she seems to be doing well.