How many gcse is the norm at your dc school?

[Starfishyellow]

our dc school used to do 7 but now it looks like it will be reduced to do a minimum of 5 and they constantly have staff changes or temporary teachers so I think it’s due to this.

9 minimum at DD’s school.

8 or 9. Which when you factor in 2 or 3 papers for most GCSEs is a LOT. Some kids sit over 20 papers.

6 sounds a sensible number to me. 5 or less reduces their choices for A Level or uni though, because you've got the compulsory subjects in there meaning their options choices are tiny.

8 for lower ability dc. 9-10 for higher ability dc.
Seems to work well (I've had dc do both streams).

10/11 it’s just a run of the mill failing school too, it’s not special at all.

Lowest set takes 6 or 7 highest set takes 12

Between 8 and 12

9 is standard to both my DCs' schools.

At one school, top set science take 3 sciences instead of combined, so they end up with 10.

At the other school, top set maths take an extra statistics GCSE, so they also end up with 10.

Both schools have a support option, for students who need extra support in core subjects. This takes one subject out of the timetable to allow extra time for the others. So, those students take 8 GCSEs.

Exactly… assuming maths, English and at least double science are compulsory, it doesn’t leave much choice. I’d avoid sending my child to that school if at all possible.

Top 2 sets maths get the option to do further maths GCSE - but its 1 class a week after school, so that would make 10 for a few.

Five in total?!
Maths, English x 2 and double science?

No others. What will they do about A levels?
I'd be moving schools.

Agree with others that 5 is too restrictive given maths, English, English and double science are compulsory, there is no scope for linguistics and humanities.

Any chance of moving school?

9 for most, some will add further maths/statistics towards the end.
Personally I think 9 is reasonable for lots of kids, with the option to drop to 8 or 7 at a push.
i think 5 or 6 is a shame as it basically just focuses on the core subjects.
I feel secondary education should a lot more flexible and child focused

I really disagree with choosing options in y8 for y9

Yes I think I will have to move them. My dc will almost definitely do 7 even if I have to tutor them myself/pay for outside help but I feel like even 7 seems low.

I worked in a school like this. A MAT academy which when searched online, was highlighted frequently in the press for being bad in a range of areas.

Children were just money making numbers to them. It was really never about education. The lack of choice available to them was upsetting.

It was horrific and I only lasted 3 months. Poor, poor children who couldn't escape it.

One in Y10 (RS or citizenship) then 8/9 in Y11 (depending if they do double or triple science - maths, 2 x English, 3 options). Top set maths also do ad maths/further maths (not sure that is a GCSE). So anywhere between 9-11 GCSE or equivalents. Bog standard state school.

Very small secondary 700 ish pupils, 8 or 9 depending on Combined or Separate Sciences.

It seems strange to do less than 8 as schools are judged on their progress 8 and attainment 8 scores or are their btec and other options available in addition to the gcses.

*there 🙃

8/9 as standard. 12 is ridiculous and completely unnecessary. 7 or less as standard is very poor. And strange.

Yes it does seem low. My dc did 11.

Minimum 9. 12 for the higher sets.

8 is the standard (but can include BTECs etc as well). If struggling they drop to 7. Top set science have the option of Triple in the same time slot as the normal Combined. A few are invited to do an extra subject after school in collaboration with local Private School.

5 barely covers Maths English and Science. Surely even the lowest achievers would benefit from something on top of that they can do well? (Such as vocational Construction, catering, sport etc?)

11. 9 for those not academic. Could be 12 or more with ad math or an extra language.

This is experience with two selective London private day schools.

Here's the data for England for 2024. I can't find 2025 so maybe it isn't published yet but I doubt it will be massively different. You'll see that the average number has been fairly constant at around 7.8 for a good number of years but it's not a smooth bell curve - over half of all pupils take 8 or 9. 9 is the commonest number. 5 is definitely low, and in my opinion, too few unless there is a specific reason. I would say that would significantly limit future options.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infographic-gcse-results-2024/infographics-for-gcse-results-2024-accessible

9-11 at my DD's.

I did 10, 30 years ago.