Angry, upset and annoyed or over reacting rant

FBaby

the middle are just allowed to sit in a class of 32 with no one challenging them. They become disenchanted and end up doing nothing.

Why aren't they challenged? That's the whole point, the lessons should be adapted to the 'middle' levels so that these lessons SHOULD be challenging to them. It sounds to me like poor teaching for normal lessons rather than an issue with offering more able pupils a better chance to work at their own level.

bunty109

Just a note about resits: these should be declared on university applications which is one reason I didn't want DD sitting maths early as her teacher couldn't see the issue with resitting. DD really didn't want to be in position to say she'd resat maths when sitting it later would mean she had the best chance of a good grade.

chiefpossession

Students do not declare GCSE resits on their UCAS application - the only resits shown are AS because these will show the UMS marks achieved so far and whether the qualification is still pending

[Deleted User]

Gove is very much against students being entered for GCSEs early and that's what all the new exam changes are about. From this year there are no modular exams so students can't take various bits of exams at different exam series throughout the year, they all have to be taken at the same time. This November is the final time that students will be able to enter for maths or english for their first attempt. After this year, all exams will have to be taken in June and November exams will only be for re-sits. So your son's school will not be able to enter students for maths next November unless they have been entered already in June and are re-sitting. Your son, on the other hand, can have a go in November and could then re-sit in June.

I think the school are just trying to do the best for him. As a previous poster pointed out, only the student's FIRST attempt now counts in Performance tables so it would be in the school's interests to hold off entering them until next June

Spendless

FBaby wrote: »

That's the problem with the disparity in teaching between primary and secondary schools.

It was very diplomatically put but when I recently attneded a meeting at a yr 6 transition to Secondary school. The Secondary school staff mentioned they are working with children from yr 3 onwards in English and Maths by going into the Primary schools in order to bridge the gap between Primary and Secondary education.

EmmaBridgewater wrote: »

This just isn't true in reality. In my experience (not too long ago) the lower and middle children were given far more support and guidance whilst the A graders were left because "oh they're smart, they will get on with it" I appreciate that there are people on the boundaries between D/C but there are people on the A*/A boundary too.

What CP has said re help has been my experience with my kids and my own are above average. They have had opportunities given to them which my friend who does have children of average ability haven't, nor have hers got any support, like the ones who struggle do. The middle ones seem to fall through the gap.

Dunroamin

chiefpossession wrote: »

Students do not declare GCSE resits on their UCAS application - the only resits shown are AS because these will show the UMS marks achieved so far and whether the qualification is still pending

You're supposed to put all exam results on your UCAS application .

Rebecca01

Dunroamin wrote: »

Does that mean they don't get "pushed" in the other lessons?

Course not!

Guess teachers cant win. In an ideal world they would all have 1:1 geared to their abilities. Thats just not realistic though. We try our best (staff I know at least) dont know what else we can do!

mountainofdebt

With regards to the original question I think I would be mightly naffed off that the school were putting my son in for an examination early, not having covered the work.

I'm also not convinced about this taking exams early and then resitting if you dont get the grades farce either

chiefpossession

Dunroamin wrote: »

You're supposed to put all exam results on your UCAS application .

Yes of course - I am forgetting that the Maths GCSE will be cashed-in in November so resitting will count as a second final grade.

squibbs25

Thanks for all your responses.

I am really concerned that the school expect the children to take this exam early.
Ds is thinking I'd a career in haematology and I believe that he should be taught the curriculum fully before any exams take place.
The school has been a farce from day one. They push the kids through, he took Spanish gcse at the end of yr 9 got a D, apparently was a few marks away from a C, the teacher talked him into re doing it the following year although he wasn't have Spanish lessons but the teacher did offer an after school club after school on a Monday.
History was taken in June (yr 10) along with the Spansish, English lit (that no one knew was being taken til the exam list came through!) science foundation level.
The history grade was a D again a few points away from the C, the teacher wanted ds to retake but we said no, teacher was not happy at all. I said tough! If he wants to do haematology then he needs to concentrate on his sciences, English and maths, without the pressure of another exam.
The Spansih he did was a 2 year course that was condensed into 1 year which actually turned into 9 months as the exam was early may!

My husband and I have been talking and I am going to speak to the head teacher tomorrow about ds not taking the exam early as like the general opinion we believe it's more damaging than helpful.

Again thank you for taking the time to respond x