Anyone else have a 16 year old not gain any GCSE 'C' grades this year?

Dunroamin

Person_one wrote: »

You know I'm not an idiot DR, please.

Actually, my ex husband went to a direct grant grammar school (Xaverian College in Manchester) and he had no idea that grammar schools generally weren't fee paying. He used to argue very strongly against grammar schools because he didn't think you should be able to pay for education.

Not everything on MSE is an insult to you.:D

Person_one

Dunroamin wrote: »

Actually, my ex husband went to a direct grant grammar school (Xaverian College in Manchester) and he had no idea that grammar schools generally weren't fee paying. He used to argue very strongly against grammar schools because he didn't think you should be able to pay for education.

Not everything on MSE is an insult to you.:D

As you and have discussed the grammar school system at great length in the past, I thought it unlikely that you had forgotten that and that your comment was in good faith.

daisiegg

silvercar wrote: »

That is the key, if the whole area is non-selective then the school will reflect its area. If there are selective schools around and private schools, then the non-selective schools will have more than an average amount of low performing pupils.

My local non selective school achieved (and they did rate it as an achievement) 46% getting A*-C in gcse maths and english. That means over half didn't, so the bottom set must have been full of pupils who scored D or below.

Well, there is a private school locally (that is obviously selective) and a semi-selective school, but I was specifically talking about the other comps like mine - I realise that sounds unclear now!

MissShoes

ViolaLass wrote: »

There is an argument to be made that giving a bottom set exam year class an NQT means the school isn't doing its duty. However, I would like to know whether the OP raised this issue at any point during the year or is doing so only retrospectively.

not always. In my NQT I had 2 bottom set GCSE groups- the luck of the draw in inner city London. With the right NQT programme of support/mentoring in place, there's no reason why a young NQT full of fresh ideas/energy/enthusiasm/time/drive/motivation/vision would be a worse option than a faded, cynical, worn down and disillusioned teacher who sees the class as something to endure for a year before they leave. I know this wouldn't always be the case, but all my students surpassed their target grades with some surprising A*/A/B in with the Cs too.

Just a different perspective.

ViolaLass

MissShoes wrote: »

not always. In my NQT I had 2 bottom set GCSE groups- the luck of the draw in inner city London. With the right NQT programme of support/mentoring in place, there's no reason why a young NQT full of fresh ideas/energy/enthusiasm/time/drive/motivation/vision would be a worse option than a faded, cynical, worn down and disillusioned teacher who sees the class as something to endure for a year before they leave. I know this wouldn't always be the case, but all my students surpassed their target grades with some surprising A*/A/B in with the Cs too.

Just a different perspective.

Why are those the only two options? Yes, an NQT might beat that but it's not a particularly high aim.

MissShoes

ViolaLass wrote: »

Why are those the only two options? Yes, an NQT might beat that but it's not a particularly high aim.

They're not the only 2 options, obviously, just examples to illustrate a point- no need for NQTs not to be given bottom set exam classes. Again, I did say that wouldn't always be the case and this would be dependent on a strong NQT and support/mentoring programme.

Brighton_belle

MissShoes wrote: »

but all my students surpassed their target grades with some surprising A*/A/B in with the Cs too.
.

:T:T:T well done!

FatVonD

OP, we have had a letter from the school saying they are not happy with the marking for some of the Maths papers and asking DS to go in on Monday to sign a consent form for his to be remarked.

Have you heard anything about your DS's?

tillycat123

Update -

Well school replied finally to my desperate email Friday night saying come in for a chat. They have offered a foundation course.
Maths + English 2 hours a week
NVQ level 2 in engineering as a 1 or 2 day work placement (They have a list to pick from)

I have also given them payment for the ICT to be remarked as only 1 marks off of a 'C' grade. Just one 'C' right now would be fantastic!

The college that offered the level 2 course in Motorsport confirmed that they don't have dedicated English tutors and would only get limited assistance with a one hour slot for self study for English a week.

We went at the weekend to look at another college offering Engineering, They had the support for the English and Maths there but were much stricter on the entry criteria and wanted science at a D as well which he does not have..This college was an hour an 10 train journey each way with a change and a £20 a day ticket so not ideally located.

He decided he wants to go back to School for the retakes, he's gone off this morning fine but I am so worried I am letting him make a huge mistake here.

A work placement will suit him just fine I'm sure but I cant fathom if an NVQ is worth anything. The exam board sites suggests level 2 is the equivalent of 4 GCSE passes. Others seems to suggest its pretty worthless and a waste of time.

My son and I have poured over college courses to see if there is something else to have a go at. He just can't see one that he has an interest in and neither can I to be honest.

Trains and street sports are his passion and with all theses PE courses offered by colleges I can't even see a PE course that would fit the bill!

Brighton_belle

Hang on to the fact he has time on his side as a late August Birthday. See this year as a holding year while he gets to focus on fewer subjects and generally mature a little bit more and be in a stronger position in a years time. The placement may be brilliant and be the key to his next step.

It's really great that he is happy to return to school to do this!