Has anyone repeated Y11?

[Y11dilemma]

Child currently in Y11 at private school but has missed a substantial amount of the year due to illness.
Possible options are
attempt GCSEs maybe dropping a couple
drop down a year to Y10 at the private school

What are the chances of moving into state instead and entering Y10?
Local state is full in Y10 but the subject options match up to the private school

Any advice/ thoughts welcomed

I would avoid them moving schools at this point, it sounds like things have been tough with illness never mind exam stress - to add a new school in on top and swopping from private to state would be a lot more on top.

What are school advising? What does your child want? I think I would try to drop them to year 10 but so much depends on what your child wants and thinks!

What does your child need to get for next steps?
Will the school / college permit any leeway in the circumstances?
Is the illness now resolved or will it be ongoing?

I wouldn't move schools as even if the timetable ties up the actual boards, spec options and teaching may well not.

Simplest would be to drop 2 GCSEs, use the time saved to catch up on others with private school support.

I would send them to college with the option of repeating maths and English and let them get on with their next steps. If they are super bright they can do extra GCSEs on top if college allows it.

I'd attempt GCSEs dropping a couple if the school agrees to this. Or repeat a year in the current school. I think finding a school that would take your child, then having the upheaval of moving schools and possibly a culture shock of going from private to state is not going to be a good background to moving schools and getting settled. Why are you considering moving schools, or was that if another school would let your child repeat year 10, but the current school does not?

If your child doesn't do well at GCSE, they can always retake English and Maths at College.

Illness is ongoing and not yet resolved.

Considering moving schools as it would be a shorter, easier commute and less academic pressure.

Pull them out of all GCSEs bar English, maths, science and any favourite subject. Tutoring if needed, to get them to tick the GCSE box. Then they’ve got plenty more options, including stretching out post 16 while their illness is hopefully treated.

Moving would be additional stress and unlikely to help them get a full set of good grades.

Repeating the year feels like the safer option as it buys time for the illness to be resolved

I know two who redid from year 10 at private school. Wasn’t available at state school but private were happy to take the money.