Disastrous mock results out of nowhere...help with suggested resources to help me help him!

[Tradversionok]

So, my DC has just had his second set of mocks. First set end of Year 10. These results have been awful so far. Three outstanding, 2 of which I'm hoping to be ok but who knows? DC got 2 x 3s which is unheard of for them (in one of those subjects, he is predicted an 8! and he wants to do it for A level)

Whilst I'm hoping this is all a one-off nightmare and they'll have the necessary kick up the ass...and that we'll be able to get a college offer...it's clear we need to get involved.

Has anyone come across any good You Tube resources - maybe run by teachers? For less binary subjects like English, drama etc - or any steer as a starting point

Any advice welcome

What subjects are the main targets? I suggest a grade 5 or 6 is useful in Eng lang and maths (I say 6 bc some universities ask for it for some courses) and then grades 7+ in A level subjects would be good. It's better probably to focus on a few subjects that are most important.

First step IMHO is to ask for papers back – school may not be keen but can he ask them to make a copy? He needs to see where he is dropping marks. It may be an easy fix (eg not showing working in maths, missing out key questions). For English, students often think they have done well bc they have written a lot – but IME that can be worth little if they haven't ticked the MS boxes.

Did he think he had done better than this? That's also key.

In terms of specific subjects, the CGP guides are excellent; for English Mr Bruff and Mr Salles are very good online; lots of people swear by programmes such as Seneca. But overall he has to put the work in and revise smartly. By now he should be getting towards the point of syllabus covered – so past papers, exam-style questions, and apply the mark scheme properly – did you actually say what the MS wants?

If it's MFL (my subject) it's about a good grounding in verbs and tenses and vocab; then lots of practice of questions. There are basically no past papers from the current spec as it was first examined last summer but legacy past paper questions (as long as he knows the format may be different) are worth doing, also papers from different board (as long as etc).

I can understand how worrying this must be, but disappointing mock results don’t necessarily reflect your child’s actual potential.
I’d start by looking at where marks were lost: gaps in knowledge, exam technique or time management. Then speak to the subject teachers and focus on the areas that need the most attention.
A good subject-specific GCSE tutor, familiar with the relevant exam board and mark scheme, can also help create a focused plan.
And if you’d like a recommendation for an agency specialising in finding private tutors, I’m happy to advise Tutor & Nanny, helped us a lot so far.
There is still time to make progress!

Thank you both so much - really helpful

I’m sorry - what is MS?

And actually I don’t think they feel they have covered all the syllabus - or have covered it but don’t feel confident. So next set of mocks will be covering subjects from 2 years back (3 year programme) so that’s a concern

What were the results in Y10 like?

You say unexpected so has he gone backwards?

I think a frank conversation with him re how much revision he is doing and how hard he is actually working. Get in touch with school and ask what they'd reccommend. They likely have resources ready to signpost you towards.

If his effort is lacking, try to force it a bit, support the creation of a little and often revision timetable.

Which subjects? There are some really good online resources DD uses that has revolutionised her revision!

does he know how to revise - does he have all the content he’s covered to hand?

Did he revise?

compulsury subjects in England are maths English and sciences.

Maths and sciences have foundation or higher papers. Find out which he did. English is (or was) not tiered so same questions for everyone.

the teachers will almost certainly either copy his papers or scan and email them.

MS stands for markscheme.

Yes sorry @Tradversionok MS is mark scheme. All past papers (tho not necessarily exam-style questions on websites etc) will have one which will detail how the marks are won and what the candidate needs to demonstrate. Some are more helpful than others tbf, but they can give a guide.

If it is a three year KS4 so they started GCSE content in year 9 I'd be surprised if they are not done or just about. GCSEs are designed to be covered in two years; by Christmas of year 11 (I know we are not there yet!) I would usually have gone through most of the MFL content – if I had had year 9 as well then for sure. So probe that a bit with him.

And yes really did he revise? What kind of revision did he do? Just reading notes is not very helpful as a rule. What is better is explaining topics to someone (you, a friend) or getting you to test him on flashcards etc. And focus revision – don't just say "French" – say "vocab from the hobbies topic" or "past tense irregulars".

So, did he work? Well, he went up to his room regularly, for blocks of time, saying he's revising. But did he meaningfully engage with the work? Clearly not. He also spent far too long on some subjects than others. So, he got a 7 in science because he focused on this - but other subjects where - by his own admission he felt he could wing it more - he didn't do enough. And then got a bad result.

He had a schedule which I helped him create - but he abandoned this, apparently. He did his homework at points saying it was revision, but it clearly wasn't.

He just didn't engage enough. He thought he would be ok, I guess. Previous mocks he got between 5s-8s. Enough to feel a bit laissez faire. I told him repeatedly these mocks matter for college applications. We tried to support, we insisted he go and revise. But we didn't get involved in what he was revising, which is clearly our failing.

He also has a social life he loves. Clearly, too much.

I've engaged with several teachers. They have all expressed that he must be disappointed and confirmed that he's capable of e.g. 7+. Which I take heart from, so he knows this is not where he should be.

And he is very much owning it. Very reflective, clear he didn't do enough. He's had a big shock. And he's ambitious and competitive. Hopefully, that will turn him around.

It's a total shitshow and unexpected, but we are here and we need to turn it around.

I have made a list of everything you've all said.

Would it be worth getting an exam technique tutor? I'm wondering if that's also a key issue.

Do they even exist?

Thank you all. I feel like I've really failed him, and I'm worried

I think key is, is he disappointed? Because if he is then he has the time to pull himself round. Lots of students do the ‘I’ll wing it and see where I’m at’ and then, shocker, aren’t where they want to be.

There are technique tutors and you could get him to ask each teacher for a quick technique session.

Have you heard of body doubling? If it’s possible, I’d do that for revision and have specific blocks where he’s revising and you can see what’s going on, in a supportive way. You’re not there to critique or say how slow he is or whatever. You’re there at the table doing something at the same time. Get him to do it on paper not a laptop.

He is gutted. Really shocked, upset and refusing to be told that he can't get back on course

Body doubling is a good idea. We really need to 'get in there' and see what's going on

Look on the positive side, he's had the kick up the bum now and not in June next year.

He knows the impact of not working, so he has time to turn it around and work.

Yes, I can totally see that we have time

Yeh agree there's lots of time and if teachers say he is capable of 7+ then that’s good news. Also good tbh that he realises he can and should do better.

You’ve not failed him. They are his exams. He has to sit them, he has to learn the content. But I agree body doubling is a great idea (I discovered it by accident when DD was home from uni and I was wfh in lockdown).

I don't know about an exam technique tutor – I doubt tbh that the same person would have the knowledge of the specific exams in all the subjects. But getting him too talk to teachers about it is a good idea. You say he did well in sciences – what did he not do so well in? Which subjects will he focus on?

I wasn’t really involved post age 11, but DD2 who is now in year 13 claims she learnt most of her GCSE stuff from savemyexams and CGP revision books. I think the former has past paper questions for the exact exam boards. She is a naturally high achiever though but was doing so much other stuff outside school she really needed to cram and seemed to be able to.

I think people dismiss mocks without realising that in some situations they can affect your child’s future. There’s been an absolute uproar in my DD’s English class, as coming up to her mocks it’s transpired that the teacher has only so far taught them about 50% of where they should be on the syllabus. She did actually give a reason why she did this purposely but I can’t remember what my dd said about that now. Turns out there are students in the class applying for other 6th forms and colleges where their mock results count towards their conditional offers, so if these students badly fail their mocks then they are going to lose their potential places.