Is it normal for GCSE's to be sat at the end of Year 9?

[adelicatequestion]

DD school is planning for 2 or 3 GCSE's to be sat in a year at the end of yr9 and another 2/3 at teh end of yr 10 and then some in yr 11. They could end up with about 15 GCSE's.

So questions

Why?
Is it done elsewhere? It's new to me
Aren't they too young?
Will it compromise grades?
Is that many GCSE's really necessary?

Gosh I have lots of questions.

We have an info evening soon and I want to be ready with teh pro's and cons of this.

Not uncommon for high achievers who would be expected to get A/A grades especially to sit in year 10. When our pupils sit any in year 9 these tend to have been extras studied before or after school. Previous Y9's have got As. This isn't usually offered to a large number of pupils as for many it would be too much but for the top fliers it gives them something extra and also means that they have a wider range of subjects open to them post 16.