What is the difference between a grammar and a good comp?
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Karen
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Jed
Foundation and higher level GCSEs really mimic the old O level and CSE system, where a top grade in CSE was equivalent to a 'C' in O level.
Initially there weren't 2 levels in GCSE, but then it was found some lower ability students became very demotivated when trying to tackle questions aimed at differentiating the higher ability B-A* students.
It's not true that grammars don't ever offer foundation papers. I know several that put some students in lower sets in for foundation GCSE Maths and languages. Not everyone in a grammar is good at everything. Bit it's more common in comps where they have a much wider range of abilities.
As long as you are satisfied that this range includes high as well as low ability students, and that those of high ability are fully stretched, I don't think you should over-worry about this. Any comp worth its salt is not going to be happy that a student who achieved, say, level 6+ in key stage 3 takes only the foundation level GCSE.
Jed
Initially there weren't 2 levels in GCSE, but then it was found some lower ability students became very demotivated when trying to tackle questions aimed at differentiating the higher ability B-A* students.
It's not true that grammars don't ever offer foundation papers. I know several that put some students in lower sets in for foundation GCSE Maths and languages. Not everyone in a grammar is good at everything. Bit it's more common in comps where they have a much wider range of abilities.
As long as you are satisfied that this range includes high as well as low ability students, and that those of high ability are fully stretched, I don't think you should over-worry about this. Any comp worth its salt is not going to be happy that a student who achieved, say, level 6+ in key stage 3 takes only the foundation level GCSE.
Jed
