Tips to get DD to pass her GCSE

[EnglishbreakfastSunday]

DD going into year 11; doing a reduced number of GCSE. English, Maths, Science and 2 more subjects. She is doing Foundation maths and combined science.

Not much revision going on yet. Predicted grades are on the low passing end, but maths is a 3.

How do we encourage, motivate and support her? she is doing a vocational course and does not need much but needs to pass core subjects.

I don’t think I have the skills, patience or knowledge to teach her or revise with her.

Do you know what’s stopping her revising? There’s lots of great videos online with tips that you could watch together.

Can you afford a tutor who can work with her at her pace?
DD had the problem that she took longer to "get" new concepts, and maths is a subject where you build on previous concepts so you need to understand the basics before moving on to the next topic.

She went to Kip McGrath and they helped her achieve a higher grade by working at her pace.

Good question.

I think she needs support, doesn’t have the self discipline or motivation yet.

Yes. I think we are going to have to invest in tutors for English and Maths which are the most important subjects.

She also started a new school in year 10 so I guess there has been some time settling in; but she is enjoying it and made friends.

OP, would a maths tutor be an option for you? If DD finds maths especially challenging this might help as it would be one to one at her pace. Parents are not always the best people to help with revision: sometimes someone new can be better served to help.

Would DD be willing to try that? If you could even find a kind and friendly sixth former doing maths A level who had a bit of spare time over the summer, you might make some progress with her confidence with some sessions between now and September. GCSE bite size is really good too.

I am sure school will do everything to support her next year but if she could spend a bit of time in the summer keeping her hand in, she might go back to school with more confidence and enthusiasm for maths.

She is y10, maybe it just seems a bit remote so far?
What does she need for next steps?
If she doesn't get 4s can she start at level 2 with 3s?

Resitting Maths & English at college is a pain. Make sure she knows she is destined to much more maths if she doesn't get it first time, that might help motivate.
The CGP guides for science are good, make sure you buy the right board and tier.

Would a reward structure work? eg Is there something she really wants that revision or maths hours could work towards (eg 100 hours of additional maths = tickets to Reading festival?)

Tutor?

@EnglishbreakfastSunday kip mcgrath were excellent with my two sons, very supportive. Our one did maths and english to GCSE level

It’s either hire a tutor, or do it yourself. There is no other way in your case.

Thanks.

There is one course which says 4 GCSE at grade 3 so I guess that means she doesn’t have to resit English and Maths and could potentially do that course.

No she can do the course but will still have to resit the maths / English at college

It is a funding rule for colleges to resit maths and English if not already at grade 4+.

Actually starting at level 2 could be beneficial anyway if less academic as gives a more gentle start. You can have 3 years of funding so can do a year at level 2 followed by 2 years at level 3.

There is one course which says 4 GCSE at grade 3 so I guess that means she doesn’t have to resit English and Maths and could potentially do that course.

As @TeenToTwenties has stated, she would still need to resit English and maths and keep resitting them until she passes or leaves college, whichever is first. It is a condition of funding.

Students aged 16 to 19 without a Grade 4 (equivalent to a Grade C) or higher in GCSE English and maths must continue studying these subjects. This requirement, known as the Condition of Funding, means you must stay enrolled in an approved course to improve these skills.

So she would be wise to concentrate on passing them first time.

Will look at this. I didn’t know about it

Focus on maths and English. And then anything related to the subjects she would like to do going forward.
Does her school offer foundation maths. It gives a maximum grade of a 5 but it’s been a game changer for my Dd she can now confidently expect to pass and we have hopes for a 5.
We’ve had big success with a man called Rob Mathmo. Look on YouTube: some free stuff of his and then he has stuff you can sign up for. Highly recommend.
At the end of the day it’s going to come down to how much she wants it. For multiple (good) reasons my Dd pretty much failed all her mocks in January. She’s worked her butt off and we had hopes that she’ll bring in a set of 5’s,6’s and 7’s.

Well done to your DD.

I am hoping DD motivation will come in year 11 when it becomes more real. I will do anything in my power to encourage her, motivate her, pay tutoring, etc so she gets the passes she needs,

I will look at the person you recommended. DD is doing foundation maths.

Foundation tier science also leaves out the harder science bits. Same topics but not the harder detail.

What does she do for the regular assessments at school? I wouldn’t expect any more studying at this point. My son has had exam conditions assessments twice a year (mid autumn term, early summer term) since year 8, plus termly unit assessment for maths - he revises for these, but nothing else is expected. They only start proper gcse revision in year 11.

She has MOCKS again in a few weeks and I have not seen much revision going yet. Perhaps she is overwhelmed and doesn’t know where to start.

I told her to focus in English and Maths and bought the revision cards in Amazon.

There are so many resources out there but you don’t know where to start.

And I honestly don’t feel I have the knowledge to do revision with her so will look at private tutors. Whatever it takes to get those passes she needs.

I think reminding your DD that she will have to keep retaking maths and English until she passes might be a good motivator.

I remember telling DD if she does well in maths she need never do any maths again (hollow laugh - she ended up doing a STEM degree).

The best way to pass GCSE foundation maths if you're struggling is to do as many past papers as possible. You can print them off for free online. You can also print of the English papers. Practice as much as possible. The marking schemes are available as well so you know what they are looking for. I'd recommend getting a good tutor who has experience helping students pass the GCSE exams.

is that the case? You continue doing maths until you pass it? Or only if they want to continue in education?

I think I will have to use this approach,

I have been expecting some self motivation and self discipline from her regarding revising but it is not happening. Tutors is going to have to be.

Thanks. From Save my Exams?

I agree with past papers. There’s only so many maths questions so practicing them over and over will be a good approach. Dd1 learned so much “stuff” but never quite got the skills for getting the marks. They need to learn the “game”

I think it’s a bit late to be thinking this through. Not much will change in this limited time.