GCSEs are an important milestone for children. They’re an opportunity for them to have more influence over the subjects they study in school and set them on a particular path with regards to higher education and beyond. While it’s an exciting time, it can also be quite daunting for teenagers, because they have to start making some big decisions and become a little more independent. With that said, you may need to give them a little extra support and be patient with them if they seem stressed or anxious. Read on for some more information on GCSEs, from a senior school in Hertfordshire.
Start by ensuring you are as clued up as possible on what’s involved with GCSEs, what options are available to your child at their school and how they are graded. You should attend GCSE open evenings with your child and ask lots of questions to find out more. GCSEs are now graded on a 9 – 1 system: 9, 8 and 7 being the equivalent of A* and A. They are usually studied over a course of 2 years, starting at the beginning of Year 10. Exams usually take place in May and June of both years.
Students are asked to choose their GCSE options at the end of Year 8 or 9. Encourage your child to choose subjects that they both enjoy and are good at; don’t pressure them into taking a subject just because you’re interested in it, it has got to be their decision. They might also feel like choosing a subject because they like the teacher or because their friends are going to choose it, but this is a bad idea. If they don’t feel inspired by the subject matter, they won’t get good grades.
You should also ask your child to consider what they might like to do after their GCSEs, in terms of their a-levels and future career. If they have a dream job in mind, they might want to focus on particular subjects that will give them the necessary qualifications to follow this particular career path. However, it’s perfectly okay if they’re not quite sure what route they’d like to take at this stage, as there’s still plenty of time for them to find their way or change their mind.
*This is a collaborative post.
