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

securityguy

tillycat123 wrote: »

He has only just turned 16, no idea of what he really wants to do in life but was interested in a motorsport course.

Motorsport is one of the largest employers of people with PhDs in physics, maths and other STEM subjects.

angelil

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

This would have never happened at my school! Completely illogical. Furthers my point about people lower down getting more support and also unfair to both higher and lower achievers. Higher - not challenging enough, lower - too challenging/ feel inadequate compared with higher achieving classmates. That's just my opinion though, I'm sure there are statistics to disprove me!

I agree with you. It's a totally unfair system. Even though I was a high achiever in English, I felt completely cheated by the subject until the sixth form, when I was lucky enough to have a wonderful teacher. I know it sounds strange, but I do feel it's important to cater to those of a high ability as well - not just leave them to do their own thing because they'll do well regardless.

Amanda65

I was told about this site recently by a friend whose son didn't want to go to uni and has ended up doing very well. Not sure if there might be information on there that is of use

http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/

Also, another friend's son has just completed year one of a 3 year motorsport course at college and hated it - 12 hours a week and he was bored rigid, although passed the year with merits / distinctions. He didn't want to go back and his mum said he could leave if he had a job so he took his CV round to loads of local dealerships with workshops at the beginning of August and starts a 3 year apprencticeship with a very prestigious car brand (think real luxury market) next month.

Sometimes it's about showing you've got the nouse to go out and look. Good luck to your son whatever he decides to do.

Alias_Omega

19lottie82 wrote: »

When I worked for BAE Systems , there were 70 applications for each apprenticeship. They needed AT LEAST 6 credit (equiv of A/B) Standard Grades, and many applicants also had highers (sort of Scottish equiv of A-Levels).

The company I work for now is taking on apprentice engineers and welders, and the bar is roughly set the same.

My OH is a mechanic and says things are the same in his industry.

I applied for BAE Systems. I was rejected. A bit different now. LoL. :j:j

daisiegg

Dunroamin wrote: »

Unless the school is selective, it's always going to have students way below the C/D borderline.

This is not true. It completely depends on the catchment of the school.

aliasojo

daisiegg wrote: »

This is not true. It completely depends on the catchment of the school.

I don't understand?

Surely any catchment area will have some seriously bright kids, some average kids and some 'thick as mince' kids? (As one teacher once called me, lol.)

The less bright kids may not be C/D pass material?

supersaver2

aliasojo wrote: »

I don't understand?

Surely any catchment area will have some seriously bright kids, some average kids and some 'thick as mince' kids? (As one teacher once called me, lol.)

The less bright kids may not be C/D pass material?

I've taught at 4 secondary schools in my career so far (never a selective school) and there has always been very bright, average and as you say thick as mince pupils! The school I teach in at the moment is in a very well off ward and we do have quite a few children who are in the very bottom sets and are only predicted D/E grades. In my experience there is a broad spectrum of ability in most schools that aren't selective.

aliasojo

That's what I would have thought, which is why I didn't understand daisy's post.

daisy.....you talking rubbish?

silvercar

supersaver2 wrote: »

I've taught at 4 secondary schools in my career so far (never a selective school) and there has always been very bright, average and as you say thick as mince pupils! The school I teach in at the moment is in a very well off ward and we do have quite a few children who are in the very bottom sets and are only predicted D/E grades. In my experience there is a broad spectrum of ability in most schools that aren't selective.

I would say that if a non-selective school is within travelling distance of several good selective schools, chances are that most of the brighter pupils will attend one of the selective schools, leaving the non selective school with fewer than would otherwise be of bright pupils. Happens round here, the local school is non- selective and there are many free selective schools around and so the local school's intake is academically challenged.

daisegg wrote:

This is not true. It completely depends on the catchment of the school.

No such thing as catchments round here, if you are prepared to make the journey, you can apply for a place.

Dunroamin

daisiegg wrote: »

This is not true. It completely depends on the catchment of the school.

Even in the leafy suburbs there are kids who are thick as mince. (Love that expression!)