What happens if GCSE's are a disaster? Sorry, long

[fresh]

DS2 is just 15. End of Yr 10 exam results are looking grim - E's and F's although I won't get the full details until next week. So we have a year to work out a plan. He's been working at a higher level than this day-to-day at school but always finds exams difficult. He panics and shuts down.

We went to an open day at the local FE college to scope out IT courses at BTEC Level 2 and 3. Level 2 needs 4 GCSEs at grade D including Maths and English, Level 3 needs 4 GCSEs at grade C inc Maths and English.

DS thinks he has no hope of Grade C in Maths and English, so if he gets Ds then he might get on to the Level2 (although it's very oversubscribed). He's also quite shy with new people so I think the interview would be a tough call as well.

So what happens if his grades are low and he doesn't get on to the Level 2 course? Do we have to put him through a Level 1 where they will try and teach him GCSE English and Maths again? He isn't ever (I don't think) going to be able to answer questions about how Steinbeck conveys certain things in Of Mice and Men - he doesn't even understand the question! So what's the point of putting him through another year of it?

As I understand it he can't just get himself a job, he has to stay in education or training. Trouble is, apprenticeships need GCSE's in English and Maths so we're back to square one.

He's organised, practical, funny and can demonstrate persistence for things he likes, usually strategy games (I know, don't flame me). He's just not 'academic'. Which is fine by me, and I know all the stuff about Richard Branson being dyslexic and having no exams, but how on earth do we get round the GCSE question?

If I thought it would work I'd spend the next year working with him on his English GCSE and DH could do the same with Maths, but he is incredibly stubborn and doesn't want to be seen to be learning anything. He worked out in Reception class that if you were well-behaved and helpful, you could stay below the radar without actually having to expose your brain to a teacher, and since then there hasn't been a teacher willing to push past that.

I could of course stand back, do nothing, watch the carnage and let him reap the consequences, but my worry is that he'll just confirm his own view that he's thick if he gets crap grades, and the downward spiral will continue. That seems very harsh to me.

I'm at my wits' end. Has anyone else been through this and come out the other side with a happy teenager? Thanks for reading.

[fresh]

springlamb there are 2 colleges local to us and they both need GCSE's to get on to the Level 2 courses. He could do a Level 1 course which would (if he did well) get him on to a Level 2, and then could progress to a Level 3 after that. This may have to be the way we do it.

He does want to do the Computing course. However, the rules are changing and the Level 2 course will be almost as hard as the Level 3 by the time he gets to do it, so we might as well do all we can to get him through GCSE's with C grades so he can get on the Level 3. And around we go in circles...

[fresh]

But I will check them all out again and ask the questions, thanks. And glad to hear your DS got his FS Level 2. Gives me hope!

[JeanSeberg]

Are the school going to enter him at foundation level instead of higher wherever possible?

[fresh]

Yes, he's already on the foundation level courses.

[JeanSeberg]

My son is a year ahead of yours and was in a similar position this time last year - mainly Ds and Es. Fast forward a year and he stands a good chance of getting 5 Cs, even a C in maths although he was 4 marks off in his mock.

So a lot can change in a year.

For next year he had been accepted at 2 colleges - he will do level 1, 2 or 3 BTEC depending on his GCSE results.

This has taken a lot of pressure off as whatever happens in the exams, we know what he will do next.

[JeanSeberg]

Some suggestions - buy all the revision guides so you are familiar with the course content.

Look at past papers so you know how the questions will be structured and look at the mark scheme to understand what the examiners are looking for in the answer.

Of course this doesn't substitute him doing the work but if/when it comes to the point that he's ready to revise you will both know what's required.

Also, don't forget in Y11 the school will be running lots of revision classes, doing lots of practice papers, mock exams.

Plus there is the coursework/controlled assessment element of the exam to take into account.

[fresh]

JeanSeberg how did he do it? On his own, or with your help, or the school, or a tutor?

[JeanSeberg]

A mixture - he has had a tutor for maths for the last couple of years.

He has matured a lot in the last year (June birthday) and started to take more interest in his studies. And as he finds it hard to revise independently, we have done lots of it together. Worked through all the revision guides and done lots of past papers. Also watched videos to explain any difficult concepts.

Try not to worry too much, in the worst case even if he gets 5 Es, he can do level 1 BTEC and move up from there.

[fresh]

Thanks. Mine's a May birthday so is young for his year, like yours.

Thanks everyone, I'm calming down a bit. Trying to solve this on my own was overwhelming. We'll be using everything we can; DS2 doesn't know what's going to hit him...

[JeanSeberg]

He's organised, practical, funny and can demonstrate persistence

Don't lose sight of all the good stuff. I've got 3 sons (2 older ones) and consider myself so lucky that I've had nothing worse to worry about than one set of low exam grades.

[HolidayCriminal]

Look at this thread, Fresh.

[JessMcL]

DS is 18- has crippling anxiety and depression and even he said he found his college interview OK. They basically asked him what school he was at, what GCSEs he was doing and whether or not he had future plans after college. They also asked him about his medical condition but nothing intrusive.

He did his L2 IT last year and now is on the L3 with plans to go to university. Just because he might not be getting the results you may hope as a parent doesn't mean doors are going to be shut in his face.

Plus- he is 15. He has another what- 70 years left? Even if he walks out of school and gets a job in McDonalds for 15 years and decides to go back to college and do it then- it won't be a big deal.

Definitely make sure he does something but it needs to be his decision.

[fresh]

Holiday thank you. That's given me some perspective. Made me cry!

[Oblomov]

I got ds1 a maths tutor, when he lost a lot of confidence. Slightly different issue to yours, but so worth it. Was the best money I EVER spent.
I told the school. They loaded with the tutor. Was fab. We only needed her 6 times. £150. I know that sounds a lot. Bit my god, in the grand scheme if life, it's not.
Please consider this. If you decide no, no problem, but please don't dismiss it.

Ideally we all know our children need a grade c at gcse maths and English.
My personal belief is that we all need that. I would do ANYTHING, to try and get both my boys, atleast THAT.

[Oblomov]

And I have a BA and an MA and I find Steinbeck VERY hard work!!!

[Oblomov]

Have you spoken to the school? What are they actually saying? What strategys and plans are they suggesting? They must have encountered this zillions of times, surely?

[fresh]

Jess I know, I know I should be taking the long view. But it's because I can see his good qualities that I don't want him to waste years until he works out that actually he's not thick. If it takes him another couple of years to go through Level 1,2 and 3 at BTEC then that's fine.

[Oblomov]

And OP, you sound so caring. With you behind him, he's half way there!!

[fresh]

Oblomov thank you. The school have revision clubs, and talk to him about his work, but they take the view that it's up to him. Unfortunately he doesn't even feel confident enough to go and sit in revision classes. Plus he hates school because it's noisy and crowded and he lives for the moment he can come home.

I think a tutor is the way to go. I have emailed a local woman and am seeing her on Wednesday. Wish us luck!

[LIZS]

Does he have any SEN ? I ask because you describe him as if he is not fulfilling potential , dislikes the bustle of school, takes the questions literally, lacks confidence in his own abilities and to ask for help ...

[Eleanor02]

Picking up, fresh, on your point about your DS and exams ... you say your DS 'panics and shuts down'.

Exam stress and nerves affects very many students and hugely undermines their chances of achieving good or even reasonable grades. Is there something that the school can do to support DS in this area? Will they run exam workshops next year? Might it be worth exploring, somehow, opportunities for your DS to start (it might not be too soon) taking part in de-stress activities (I've put that badly but you get my gist). Exams aren't for everyone. One of my DSs feels very, very sick before exams and he certainly doesn't give of his best. We ended up taking him to the GP and the upshot is that DS does have some a mineral deficiency which is being treated. There may not be a medical explanation for your DS's exam issues and this certainly wasn't/isn't the whole story with our DS, but is was clearly a factor.

This DS's GCSEs didn't go very well - nor did first year AS (that especially) but he's started again, elsewhere, is visibly more relaxed (though still suffers from exam nerves) and is, touch wood, doing OK.

There is life after GCSEs that don't go according to plan - there really is. We searched high and low after the ASs and, finally, the one place that would accommodate DS and let him start afresh was a local secondary with a sixth form. Not a particularly academic school but one that is very relaxed about second chances.

Someone mentioned online support for students - does your DS know The Student Room? There's an active GCSE thread and, no doubt, other threads about alternative opportunities:

//www.thestudentroom.co.uk


Good luck

[Eleanor02]

Further thought and picking up what others have said.
DS has had a tutor for one of his subjects for the past couple of terms and it's made such a difference. She's patient, thorough and helps him get to the bottom of things. Half the problem was simply not understanding basic concepts - what a difference kind, patient help has made.

[fresh]

Thanks all. LIZS no, no SEN. Diagnosed Type 1 diabetic 2 yrs ago which probably put a dent in concentration for a while, although he deals with it brilliantly. He has always been a child who comes at life sideways however.

I will make a point eleanor of picking up the exam thing - although it is difficult as any mention of them just results in shutdown so I have to find a way to get past that first!

Definitely going for a tutor in Eng and Maths. And talking to the school as well.

[mumeeee]

Well DD3 is 22 has dyspraxia and other learning difficulties. She has just finished her first year at university where she is ding a computer degree. Anyway her GCSE results were bad and she only got one C, She went to college and did a NVQ level 1 in hospitality but was told at the end of the first year she couldn't go on to the Level 2. She then did a foundation course where she studied a variety of subjects which gave her some confidence, At the end of that course she decided to apply for and got into BTECH first Diploma in IT and then went on to do level 2 ( which is now called subsidiary Diploma) and then the Extended Diploma which she got Distinction Merit Merit for. She did functional skills Maths and English alongside these courses. It took her a long time to get to university but she did it so having not good GCSE results is not the end of the road.

[fresh]

Well that puts a bit more perspective on it, thanks mummeee. I'm beginning to see that the longer route is possible. Actually I think it would be better as the older he gets the better equipped he'll be to deal with coursework and exams.

Thanks MN, I really appreciate all your replies.