Have schools stopped pupils taking GCSE's early?

Lunar_Eclipse

Our local school still does some subjects as early entry, but like others they do not restrict entry to those predicted A*.

We opted out of state education for this reason; the school just didn't cater to maximising pupil achievement on an individual level (or anything individual really.) They much prefer their 'bright' pupils to get 12-14 subjects at A*-C than 9 at A*/A, which is clearly better for an individual student because of university entry. I can only assume the school is measured or benefits greater financially with the former scenario. Does anyone know?

Interestingly, DD1 goes to an academically selective school (nearly 100% A/A* at GCSE) which does not allow early entry, & she is capped at "only" 10 subjects.

FBaby

This is particularly true of academies and schools which have gone for 'language specialist' status.

DD school is not a language specialist but is indeed an academy, so it explains.

science isn't modular any more, its gone back to terminal exams.

I had a good talk with my daughter and besides what I've learnt on this thread, I have learnt more from her directly than anything I have yet seem from her school. Thankfully, she is quite clued in and teachers will speak to her about it. Her science teacher has explained the above indeed (she will do triple science).

She has also confirmed that she will have to pick one language and that she will definitely picked the one she has studied since year 7. She said she was aware that the other one was just for fun and will be dropped but confirmed she wanted to study it anyway because she gets very bored during lessons of the other language. I am not worried that her level will drop because of a few less hours of study.

It depends on the school

I find this quite shocking. Not only choice of school is restricted for many in this country, but the school will determine what the child studies and the exams they take (to some extent). How is fair education for everyone? I had no idea whatsoever this was the case when we chose a school for my DD (I felt very fortunate that she could have gone to that school or another). Those are not the concerns I questioned because I had no idea about any of the issues discussed on this thread.

poet123

You should be aware that doing triple science may also restrict her options, as most timetables are set up for the double award. Ditto, if her school is doing the new version of the Ebac.

FBaby

poet123 wrote: »

You should be aware that doing triple science may also restrict her options, as most timetables are set up for the double award. Ditto, if her school is doing the new version of the Ebac.

Thanks for this. Triple science is the priority as she is head of her year in science and her mind set on going to medical school for 2 years now (of course can change, but she is clearly science minded).

No idea if school is doing new version of Ebac. I supposed I still have time to find out about all those things, but I want to be prepared with some knowledge and it is a struggle to know where to start. I have googled in the past, gone on mumsnet, but I do find there is so much information, it is difficult to understand it and extract what is relevant. This thread has actually been the most informative pages I have read so far.

poet123

FBaby wrote: »

Thanks for this. Triple science is the priority as she is head of her year in science and her mind set on going to medical school for 2 years now (of course can change, but she is clearly science minded).

No idea if school is doing new version of Ebac. I supposed I still have time to find out about all those things, but I want to be prepared with some knowledge and it is a struggle to know where to start. I have googled in the past, gone on mumsnet, but I do find there is so much information, it is difficult to understand it and extract what is relevant. This thread has actually been the most informative pages I have read so far.

My youngest son is also set on medicine so for him triple science was important too.

When he did his options the Ebac was just coming in, and we had to help him make a choice, if he took triple science it meant he could not do a humanity and so would not qualify for the Ebac as a humanity was (perhaps still is under the new requirements) mandatory.

There was little or no information available as to how Universities would view those who did not have the Ebac, and the school said they had no more idea than we did how it would pan out.

He chose the sciences and decided not to bother trying to fulfill the Ebac requirements. Some of his friends chose differently and made their option choices based on the Ebac .....then, after a Government Consultation paper (which I contributed to) they scrapped it.

I think the newer scheme has been revamped but as it no longer affects us I have no idea what the requirements are now.

FBaby

What a minefield it all is... I suppose when a child is focus on going to secondary school, triple science is not an option, it has to be taken and compromises have to be made with the rest.

The other dilemma I am already starting to think about is college.. The only two colleges within 30 miles radius are not 'a' level focus and only a handful of pupils get A results at biology and chemistry. Of course, I don't know if it is due to the teaching, or the pupils ability, but I'm already starting to think about private schooling at this stage. We have two top ones but the fees are horrifying. DD and I have already discussed her getting some tutoring lessons to take her to the next level in Maths and Science (which the school won't do as she is already way ahead), in the hope of her being able to get a scholarship.

What are your plans for your son?

Dunroamin

GwylimT wrote: »

It depends on the school, at our school if the top set in a subject is deemed capable then they will start taking their GCSE's early, we start with mock coursework, if they aren't getting As and A*s they aren't ready.

Virtually all of our students do their R.E GCSE a year early as it is something can be successfully taught well to any ability as you don't need true understanding as you do in other subjects, and if you could get a decent grade such as a B without even doing the course as you can answer with opinion, you don't have to give detail about various religions.

Most of our students sit their IT GCSE early as the coursework is self explanatory and as children are very technology savvy its a breeze, really it needs changing as it no longer challenges children.

Mock coursework? How does that work?

What's the point of doing a GCSE that doesn't need true understanding and where you can do a good grade without doing the course? Why would any school waste money in that way?

Dunroamin

FBaby wrote: »

What a minefield it all is... I suppose when a child is focus on going to secondary school, triple science is not an option, it has to be taken and compromises have to be made with the rest.

The other dilemma I am already starting to think about is college.. The only two colleges within 30 miles radius are not 'a' level focus and only a handful of pupils get A results at biology and chemistry. Of course, I don't know if it is due to the teaching, or the pupils ability, but I'm already starting to think about private schooling at this stage. We have two top ones but the fees are horrifying. DD and I have already discussed her getting some tutoring lessons to take her to the next level in Maths and Science (which the school won't do as she is already way ahead), in the hope of her being able to get a scholarship.

What are your plans for your son?

Do you have any grammar schools within travelling distance?

poet123

FBaby wrote: »

What a minefield it all is... I suppose when a child is focus on going to secondary school, triple science is not an option, it has to be taken and compromises have to be made with the rest.

The other dilemma I am already starting to think about is college.. The only two colleges within 30 miles radius are not 'a' level focus and only a handful of pupils get A results at biology and chemistry. Of course, I don't know if it is due to the teaching, or the pupils ability, but I'm already starting to think about private schooling at this stage. We have two top ones but the fees are horrifying. DD and I have already discussed her getting some tutoring lessons to take her to the next level in Maths and Science (which the school won't do as she is already way ahead), in the hope of her being able to get a scholarship.

What are your plans for your son?

He has just got straight A*/A at GCSE and an AS level, and has a place starting next week at a really good 6th form college, which is noted as an A level factory (believe it or not that comment was made to me by a Head in a derogatory way.;)...) Two of our older sons also went to the same college and both did well.

So, we will see. AS/A level is a big jump up from GCSE.

Even straight A's are no guarantee of a place at med school these days. A friend's son had 5 A's at A level and failed two years running to get in, so we are under no illusions that he will make it.

FBaby

Dunroamin wrote: »

Do you have any grammar schools within travelling distance?

Unfortunately not very frustrating. We have very good primary schools, good high schools but it is downhill afterwards!