GCSEs will be a big step in a child’s development of their studies, as well as being a key part of how your child will be able to progress to A Levels or other qualifications. Parents should aim to keep themselves in the loop to help their children with their studies, provide support, and understand the amount of stress they could potentially be under. With that all in mind, in this guide to GCSEs from a prep school in Somerset, we take a look at what parents should know about GCSEs and the process for their children
What to prepare your child for
Your child will have been aware of the importance of GCSEs many moons ago, as from around Year 9 age your child will be taught the curriculum ready for their exams. From here you should keep yourself in the loop with all that your child’s learning at school and offer support where you find points they struggle with. Parents evenings and sessions with teachers will help with this and give you the guidance that can help support your child.
The exam process
When your child picks their subjects in Year 8 or 9 they’ll be following the GCSE path for their choices. The exams will usually be organised into around 2 – 3 weeks, with a break so that children have the chance to fully prepare themselves for the upcoming weeks.
There can be one or two, or even more, exams per subject and your child will need to be aware of each. For example, if your child is studying French they’ll tend to have a separate written exam, listening and speaking exams. English Literature and/or Language exams tend to be split into two parts as well. This means you will need to work with your child on what exactly they should be revising each week depending on the exams coming up.
The grading system
In the past GCSEs were graded with a A* – U rating. This has now changed to a 1 – 9 rating, with 9 being the highest grade and 1 being the lowest grade. This has been in effect for a while now, but it can throw off parents that could have been used to the old system.
When your child receives their grades after their exams, usually late July, then they’ll receive a slip with the information of their grades. If your child wants to reach A Levels or head to college there may be specific grades they’ll need to move forward.
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About Debz Louise
Debz Louise is a UK-based lifestyle expert and the founder of several lifestyle blogs. Specialising in everything from interior design and home renovation to body-positive fashion and parenting, Debz brings a wealth of hands-on experience to every guide. Her mission at Stereotude is to simplify the modern world for her readers through expert curation and fiercely honest advice.