SLT are adamant early entry is the way forwards

[Artfullydead]

I do not agree.

I am really worried about this. if the results divebomb then it's on my head!

What would you do? I probably can't do anything but is there any way of protecting myself?

Don’t know from a teacher POV but we were told they wanted ds1 to take his gcse maths at the end of year 9. We declined as although his maths may be up to it his maturity isn’t and we want him to stay with his peers.
I can’t imagine the pressure on you as a teacher. If they aren’t mature enough and those results mark your stats it would be awfully damaging.

The DfE agree with you. It’s why they introduced the ‘first entry only’ rule for the league tables, to stop schools doing it, as the evidence shows kids who enter early do worse.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/184109/DFE-RR208.pdf

I know giraffe ... it's crazy

What would you do?. I'm assuming you are a HoD who has to implement this?

I'd say no. I'd try to do it nicely, pointing out the benefits of a comparison group but if pushed I'd say no until a direct order from the head.

If the head has listened to your argument and made a different decision (get it in writing) then it's on him.

I can't say no. That's why I am wondering if I have any comeback when I end up on capability

Email them the DfE evidence so that you have a paper trail of your evidenced objections?

Could do.

I had a meeting with the HT back in October where I outlined my concerns though and made that very point.

What do they say to the first grade only stuff for progress 8 etc?

Can you negotiate a 'fast track' group of students who will get grades 8/9 to then concentrate on the others? This might be a way to appease the HT.

Ds’s school tried it last year for England dh Language. The idea was they’d do Lang in Year 10 & Lit in Year 11.

His English tutor who teaches a lot of kids from the school told me that results were appalling. Most didn’t even get a 4.

I can't say no. That's why I am wondering if I have any comeback when I end up on capability

Teachers can say no to a hell of a lot more than we think. Why would you end up on capability? Unless there is a huge drip feed coming that seems an irrational fear.

If you want some concrete advice you need to give some context.

What subject?

When will they start and end the course?

What cohort of kids?

What is your role?

What are all the other subjects doing?

Why are you so concerned about performance management?

It's bonkers to do this. Sorry, not helpful but offer moral support!

If this is English you might find this helpful:

ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2018/08/gcse-results-day-2018-how-widespread-is-early-entry-in-english-language-and-english-literature/

It is indeed English - HT wants them entered early in year 10. I think this means cramming the Lit course into less than a year and the dullest possible language course in year 11.

The Lit course is impossible to teach in a year! I take it your Head is not an English teacher....

Nope.

They never are.

Show him the stats in the link I posted. That could work. How many schools in your area/LA/ MAT have the same approach?

Do you start GCSE in year 10?

Yes, although if he's insistent EE is the only way I will start in May with the current y9s.

Last year some kids did reasonably well. The same kids are well motivated though and would have done better had they waited - it's infuriating. Also Y11 is so fucking boring.

Oh God, yeah. We did this one year back when IGCSE was a thing. We still feel the need now to squash everything in so we can revise from January to May. It's soooo turgid.