GCSE in year 6

[Apu1923]

Hi all,
DD's primary school wants her to sit GCSE maths in June. She is working at level 6 at the moment. Could anyone let me know if this is a good or bad proposition? Our concern is that she may not be given a chance to improve her grades if needed due to any change in future. What are the pros and cons.
Any opinion would be appreciated as the school are insisting on a reply soon. Thanks in advance

[stroudydad]

For me it's a no brainer, why would anyone want to do a gcse in year six? Can't we just leave them to be children for as long as possible?

[Guest55]

As a Secondary maths teacher I'm appalled!

She will sit Foundation GCSE which is not very 'inspiring' and may not get a grade C ... what is the point of that?

I would politely refuse and ask for her to be given the opportunity to take the UKMT Junior challenge in April (aimed at top 40% of Year 7/8).

Also she would have more fun looking at the problems onhttp://www.nrich.maths.org or the Primary Maths challenge questions on http://www.m-a.org.uk/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=250.

[Apu1923]

@ stroudydad. Exactly my opinion when she first told me especially as I thought she would be tired of exams by now. But she is excited by the prospect as a few others have been 'offered this fantastic opportunity' and she does not want to look 'incapable' of it.

@Guest55. Thanks for your valuable opinion. She has taken the primary maths challenge in November and won gold award and there is a final exam in Feb, I thought. Is this the same as one you are suggesting?

[Guest55]

Yes - there is not a 'gold' technically in the school level challenge.

However the National stage which she is now going to take does give her the opportunity to get a National 'medal'. See on the link above ...

Point out to her that the best she will get now is a grade C and that won't impress anyone when she comes to apply to University. Does the, probably well-meaning, teacher understand that ALL results have to be declared on UCAS applications?

[Kingfisher]

I would cynically suggest that the school is offering this 'fantastic opportunity' in order to boost its own credentials. There is NO reason why she should do this now; she needs very good grades and in order to achieve them she will need specialist teaching at GCSE level and slightly beyond, in fact, in order to cover any and every thing that might come up on the paper. As flattering as it might sound initially, I would resist this - unless of course someone there has a Maths degree and has experience of GCSE Maths and the range of topics, style of questioning etc required for success at the highest levels.

[stroudydad]

I would agree with kingfisher,

[stevew61]

DD in year six is giving it a go too they have one hour a week teaching in school time and one hour after school. Yes it is good for the school but it motivates the kids which is good too. Just had a quick look at a couple of CGP books and the foundation gcse looks easier than ks3 levels 5-8 and so the gcse foundation is a better fit for high level ks2 students, but hey what do I know. I'm only a parent interested in happy and motivated kids.

[Guest55]

stevew61 - but would you feed your child McDonalds every week? No - GCSE Foundation is the equivalent 'diet' Maths wise.

[Daogroupie]

Admissions tutors have been very clear about this. They are looking for breadth at the end of Year 11 and will be looking at students who can sit a range of subjects in one go. No able student should be doing Foundation Maths and certainly not in Year Six. There is absolutely no point. If she is not being challenged then give her some KS3 Maths to work on. Is your school due an Ofsted shortly? I understand that they are downgrading some primary schools who are not offering enough challenges to ther G and T pupils so this may be a gimmick to combat this. This will go on her record and she will always have to list it in her qualifications. They have drop down boxes now for each GCSE and you have to say how many times you have taken it. So unless someone in admin is carefully checking dates it could make it look on an application form as if she was not good enough to take Higher GCSE. I can see no benefit and oniy disadvantage to your dd. DG