Re-sitting GCSE's options?
Discussion
Looking for advice for options please should my son not get sufficient GCSE grades to take his A levels.
He takes his GCSE's this year, he's a bright & clever lad who could do well, he's predicted to get 6's, 7's & 8's and wants to progress to 6th form for A levels. However his current and previous parent evenings shows he's been coasting for the last couple of years (as I did), with all the teachers saying the same - "he can and should be doing much better than he is". He got 4's & 5's in his recent mock exams.
So, worst case scenario is that he doesn't get the GCSE grades he needs. Can they easily be retaken? If so does he have to do his last two years again or can he do them again in say 6 months? What's the current process please?
He takes his GCSE's this year, he's a bright & clever lad who could do well, he's predicted to get 6's, 7's & 8's and wants to progress to 6th form for A levels. However his current and previous parent evenings shows he's been coasting for the last couple of years (as I did), with all the teachers saying the same - "he can and should be doing much better than he is". He got 4's & 5's in his recent mock exams.
So, worst case scenario is that he doesn't get the GCSE grades he needs. Can they easily be retaken? If so does he have to do his last two years again or can he do them again in say 6 months? What's the current process please?
I didn't manage to get Maths as I was a serial underachieving lazy b
d who went to a rough special measures school. I got into sixth form to do my chosen subjects after an interview on the caveat I re-took Maths in order to get a pass. I did it twice a week in the first few terms and got a B on my first go again. Amazing what proper schooling can do.
Not sure if this is a common occurrence now (it was 17 years ago) but they liked me (for whatever reason) and wanted me at their school so offered me a place and a chance to re-take. I should add I also got into university even though I lacked the right A Levels. Got offered a foundation year doing the same degree instead. Again, due to coming across well in an interview.
It's just dawned on me I've blagged most of my life. Anyway TLDR, there's always a way.
d who went to a rough special measures school. I got into sixth form to do my chosen subjects after an interview on the caveat I re-took Maths in order to get a pass. I did it twice a week in the first few terms and got a B on my first go again. Amazing what proper schooling can do. Not sure if this is a common occurrence now (it was 17 years ago) but they liked me (for whatever reason) and wanted me at their school so offered me a place and a chance to re-take. I should add I also got into university even though I lacked the right A Levels. Got offered a foundation year doing the same degree instead. Again, due to coming across well in an interview.
It's just dawned on me I've blagged most of my life. Anyway TLDR, there's always a way.
I second the tutor – even at this stage.
We did it for one of our daughters with four months to go (Maths) and feel pretty certain it’s what enabled her to get the 6 she needed.
Likewise, just done it again last week (but A levels and Eng lit this time) in the hope of raising her grade slightly in order for her to get in at the uni of her choice.
However - it will only stand a chance of getting results if he's realised he needs to get stuck in.
We did it for one of our daughters with four months to go (Maths) and feel pretty certain it’s what enabled her to get the 6 she needed.
Likewise, just done it again last week (but A levels and Eng lit this time) in the hope of raising her grade slightly in order for her to get in at the uni of her choice.
However - it will only stand a chance of getting results if he's realised he needs to get stuck in.
Danns said:
Might be somewhat late, but considered a tutor?
Just done this. Son was at prep school with very low teacher pupil ratio and didn't want to board after leaving, which left local rural comp as the only option. The school's maths tuition is risible. Private maths tutor (who seems excellent) is just under 30 quid an hour. Made a huge difference.
I can see me adding other tutors once into GCSEs TBH...mainly for improving the why knowledge rather than the, just do this and this.
worsy said:
Ask
The school
On Facebook local sites
Other parents
Google
In that order is my experience
^^ This. My daughter (primary) got a tutor under lockdown (remote) and she still has her. 1:1 makes an enormous difference as the tutor can personalise the teaching and reinforcement. My daughter struggled to engage with maths at the time so the tutor make it all about Pokemon... she actively looks forward to the sessions with the tutor.The school
On Facebook local sites
Other parents
In that order is my experience
Also consider undiagnosed conditions - dyslexia, dyscalculia, etc - the school can test or you can get it done privately. There is a broad range of facets to both dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Coasting can also be because of other issues.
Big Stevie said:
What's a good way of finding a good tutor please?
I used go student - just based on googling. You get a free lesson to see your child gets on with the tutor and they have a teams like teaching format and we're rural recommendations were slim. Edited by TGCOTF-dewey on Friday 27th January 10:45
TGCOTF-dewey said:
Just done this. Son was at prep school with very low teacher pupil ratio and didn't want to board after leaving, which left local rural comp as the only option. The school's maths tuition is risible.
Private maths tutor (who seems excellent) is just under 30 quid an hour. Made a huge difference.
I can see me adding other tutors once into GCSEs TBH...mainly for improving the why knowledge rather than the, just do this and this.
Submitted that post before finishing, I speak from the other side of it, previously top set for maths, then come year 10 or so I gave up trying. Private maths tutor (who seems excellent) is just under 30 quid an hour. Made a huge difference.
I can see me adding other tutors once into GCSEs TBH...mainly for improving the why knowledge rather than the, just do this and this.
Required A*/A* to take A level maths, which I required for my scholarship and to go on to study elec engineering at uni.
After a few weeks of musing, humbly brought this up with my parents, got a tutor and went from D at mock to A*/A*, and come to think of it, timing must have been rather similar to the situation with OP.
Went to see tutor once a week on Sunday mornings, was pleasant, ex chemistry teacher, really picked through all the bits I hadn’t paid attention to.
And yeah, I don’t believe it was extortionately expensive. 1 on 1 is far more effective in such situations than keeping quiet in class to not appear to be somewhat behind.
I'd second the tutor, and I would also explore other schools & colleges for A level and other routes to tertiary education & employment.
My youngest changed schools at A Level, dropped out of uni 4 weeks in and went down an apprenticeship route. Neither was easy at the time but after 3 months at the 2nd school, a year or so in the apprenticeship and definitely on looking back now she's never been happier.
My youngest changed schools at A Level, dropped out of uni 4 weeks in and went down an apprenticeship route. Neither was easy at the time but after 3 months at the 2nd school, a year or so in the apprenticeship and definitely on looking back now she's never been happier.
I had a tutor for Maths. After school every Wednesday from Y10. Randomly, he was my RE teacher.
Though I later found out that they lost our school's Maths GCSE papers so the C I was proud to have scraped might not actually be what I achieved!
I'm not sure tutoring would do it. If the teachers think he's capable of better, then is it not simply a case of pulling his finger out?
I'm afraid I remember it well, as do my folks! They landed two lazy sons - and my Dad's a master procrastinator - so they're very jealous of the fact that my Y11 daughter is diligent and hardworking - she already has a 9 in History and an 8 in short-course RE in the bag, as they take a GCSE a year early at her school.
My Y9 son on the other hand is just like me. At least as smart as his sister but he coasts along doing the bare minimum, if anything at all. I just figure we've had an easy ride with eldest and now karma's giving us two more years of constantly going on at youngest to actually do some work!
Though I later found out that they lost our school's Maths GCSE papers so the C I was proud to have scraped might not actually be what I achieved!
I'm not sure tutoring would do it. If the teachers think he's capable of better, then is it not simply a case of pulling his finger out?
I'm afraid I remember it well, as do my folks! They landed two lazy sons - and my Dad's a master procrastinator - so they're very jealous of the fact that my Y11 daughter is diligent and hardworking - she already has a 9 in History and an 8 in short-course RE in the bag, as they take a GCSE a year early at her school.
My Y9 son on the other hand is just like me. At least as smart as his sister but he coasts along doing the bare minimum, if anything at all. I just figure we've had an easy ride with eldest and now karma's giving us two more years of constantly going on at youngest to actually do some work!
Retakes would either be in Autumn or next summer - talk to the school (or other local schools) or the exam board because you need somewhere to actually sit the exams. Presumably you'll want somewhere that uses the same exam board for the subjects.
I think tutors can be a good option. Especially if the student is willing.
Our daughter has had Japanese lessons online through tutorful which have been excellent, and we've just started her on A level geography lessons because her school has had a bit of a high turnover in teachers leading to a bit of a disjointed experience.
The geography teacher we found is an ex-examiner for the exam board and daughter says that his explanations are very good, but also the exam technique advice has been invaluable.
I think tutors can be a good option. Especially if the student is willing.
Our daughter has had Japanese lessons online through tutorful which have been excellent, and we've just started her on A level geography lessons because her school has had a bit of a high turnover in teachers leading to a bit of a disjointed experience.
The geography teacher we found is an ex-examiner for the exam board and daughter says that his explanations are very good, but also the exam technique advice has been invaluable.
Big Stevie said:
What's a good way of finding a good tutor please?
Tutorhuntwww.tutorhunt.com
Its what I used when I was studying for my GCSEs, A levels and medical school entry exams
So I used it for 3 years, up to fairly recently.
Simply find a tutor and get their mobile no. , then pay them outside of Tutorhunt via bank transfer . Saves you money, and them money too as you cut the middleman (TH is extortionate)
worsy said:
Big Stevie said:
What's a good way of finding a good tutor please?
Ask The school
On Facebook local sites
Other parents
In that order is my experience
For background I was (and still am) suffering from ADHD, dyspraxia and a sensory processing disorder (all diagnosed, NOT my son must have ADHD because he’s a little s
t). I was a medical school hopeful.I was going through a tough time as well
1) the school. I have never met a bunch of bigger
s in my life. I am glad I am out of the st that is secondary school, it was a terrible experience (apart from the friends you make). The school provided me no support at all, believe me I came to them frequently. I won’t deny it, I am extremely bitter with my own experience so I will make sure I send my own children in the future to the best education they could possibly get.Help with finding tutors
Help with reviewing personal statements
Help with applying for academic scholarships
Help with applying for bursaries
Help with finding work experience
Help with appealing academic decisions
Help with with my own learning and mental health difficulties
NOTHING was done. It’s all fake! They’ll claim to do something and then never act on it.
In the end I had to do everything completely on my own, with no guidance from anybody. Yes independence is good but a bit of a helping hand or guidance from someone more knowledgable is so valuable.
I think you’ll find most comps this side of top level grammars or private schools are badly run, corrupt messes and teachers are getting unmotivated and more overworked, probably because of a lazy and greedy board determined to suck every penny out of the (dwindling) education system , while at the same time paying the teachers less and less. My school was falling apart, I wil be happy to see it get shut down. Not to mention an awful pastoral team that doesn’t take anyone seriously. I can rant for hours about it.
So I wouldn’t even bother talking to a school because you’ll come out knowing nothing better than when you came in
2nd point - Facebook. You will find many overpriced and under qualified “tutors” on here, many with little or dated knowledge of the curriculum. You’re best going to a “off the books” tutor known by word of mouth.
3rd point- Parents, many parents have little idea of what’s actually going on at tutoring and therefore its best meeting the tutor yourself and gauging how effective their style of teaching is. You might find some parents prefer a “disciplinarian” form of tutoring which is too strenuous on the student, for example hours and hours of just past paper exam questions. Others might prefer a “fun” approach which is too light on actual work and more of a social club for kids to muck about in. Finally. Some parents think they’re getting a bargain but are vastly overpaying. I went to a tutor who at the time was charging me £20 an hour for Maths, but one girl in my class was happy for her parents to pay £60 an hour!
This is why I suggested TH in an above post - I hate the site, but its a good location to just find an affordable tutor, read about them, and then end up skipping the middleman to pay less.
Our son is dyslexic (as well as autistic and ADHD) and really struggled at English. He got 3s in all his mocks, despite having a tutor. After the final mocks he was utterly downbeat, asking what the point of school and learning was etc...
Tutor asked to see his paper, which the school allowed us to have. Told us it was a 4 and knocking on the door of a 5.
The big day... he got a 6... Smashed it out of the park.
So we learned 2 lessons - firstly the school was treating him very harshly compared to a real examiner. Secondly, kids keep the big guns for the big day. I coasted through out school near the middle of the class, then rose to top of the class just before exams which i smashed...
Tutor asked to see his paper, which the school allowed us to have. Told us it was a 4 and knocking on the door of a 5.
The big day... he got a 6... Smashed it out of the park.
So we learned 2 lessons - firstly the school was treating him very harshly compared to a real examiner. Secondly, kids keep the big guns for the big day. I coasted through out school near the middle of the class, then rose to top of the class just before exams which i smashed...
Danns said:
Might be somewhat late, but considered a tutor?
100% I doubt it’s too late at all. My son did ok in GCSEs and is dyslexic, had a tutor to help with maths and English, is doing A levels this year and has just been given an offer for Oxford uni.
He always wanted to do well though, if attitude or interest in getting good grades is the issue a tutor can only do so much.
pocketspring said:
IMO mocks are a complete waste of time. My mock results (crap) were nothing like my proper results (Very good).
Did you A) Raise your game after your mocks? or
B) Gain some valuable exam practice?
That’s the point for many kids plus for things like uni entrance etc for A levels.
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