Why would a school stop early language GCSEs?
Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 9:45 pm
Hi all,
I wonder if those of you who understand about GCSEs, IGCSEs, league tables and school politics could shed some light onto this matter?
My son's grammar school, which is an academy, have changed their languages policy. In the past, all children who already spoke another language could take a GCSE with their support. I know two boys who took it, one in year 8 and another in year 9. These children were bilingual and the rationale was to get them out of the way so that they were free to work on their other GCSEs in year 11.
They have now changed the policy and all bilingual students will have to take the exam in year 11. Moreover, the school will only support those who speak a language taught at the school. No reasons has been given. Also, they are currently doing IGCSEs for languages and in two years they will be changing to GCSEs.
Now, many things spring to mind. Would this have anything to do with the league tables?
I understand that if the child speaks another language at home that the school has to support them in taking their GCSE. Is this true? Is there a time specified or is it assumed that it would be in year 11? Does this rule apply to academies?
What happens to those early entries? Are they classed as them being taken independently? Do they count towards the school's league tables? Do they count if taken in year 11?
Why would it be of any advantage to a child who is getting A* on all their mocks to wait until year 11?
Why would it be of any advantage to the school?
Is there a cost involved?
And finally, could the parent just register the child independently bypassing the school? Would it be bad form? Would this make a difference to the school?
Many thanks for your input.
I wonder if those of you who understand about GCSEs, IGCSEs, league tables and school politics could shed some light onto this matter?
My son's grammar school, which is an academy, have changed their languages policy. In the past, all children who already spoke another language could take a GCSE with their support. I know two boys who took it, one in year 8 and another in year 9. These children were bilingual and the rationale was to get them out of the way so that they were free to work on their other GCSEs in year 11.
They have now changed the policy and all bilingual students will have to take the exam in year 11. Moreover, the school will only support those who speak a language taught at the school. No reasons has been given. Also, they are currently doing IGCSEs for languages and in two years they will be changing to GCSEs.
Now, many things spring to mind. Would this have anything to do with the league tables?
I understand that if the child speaks another language at home that the school has to support them in taking their GCSE. Is this true? Is there a time specified or is it assumed that it would be in year 11? Does this rule apply to academies?
What happens to those early entries? Are they classed as them being taken independently? Do they count towards the school's league tables? Do they count if taken in year 11?
Why would it be of any advantage to a child who is getting A* on all their mocks to wait until year 11?
Why would it be of any advantage to the school?
Is there a cost involved?
And finally, could the parent just register the child independently bypassing the school? Would it be bad form? Would this make a difference to the school?
Many thanks for your input.