help in understanding UK school sysyem

[Nicola63]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to offer me a little help. I grew up in South Africa and know very little about how the schooling system in the UK works.

In January, my 13-year old stepdaughter is moving from South Africa to the UK to come to school here. She is going to be attending an independent school in London. She is going into "Year 9", which is what the school tells me is appropriate for her age. She had to write English and Maths tests to get in to this school, and apparently her maths is not quite upo to scratch, so she will have to have extra lessons. She will also of course be a term behind, as the year here has already started (the school year in S Africa runs from Jan to December).

I would be grateful for any pointers on the way the school years here work, when you have what exams, etc. My schooling was completely different, with the years having different names (Grade 1 and 2, then Standards 1-10, finishing with matriculation exams to get into university). I've done some reading about the system here, of course, but any help from inside would be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

[foundintranslation]

Hello Nicola How are you doing?

If your dsd goes into Yr 9, she will have SATs (national tests) at the end of it, which are graded at various 'levels' (teachers please correct me if wrong, but I think level 4 is the 'average' expected). She will also be choosing subjects for GCSE this year. GCSEs (consisting of coursework and written exams) are taken at the end of Year 11. I don't know what it's like now but I did mine in 1993 and took 9 subjects. They are a first school leaving qualification but to go onto higher education she will need to stay on 2 years (either at a school with a 'sixth form' - her independent school is bound to have one - or a further education college) and take AS and A levels (3 or 4 subjects I think, quite specialised - has the advantage of being able to drop the subjects you don't like/aren't good at). Uni applications are made early in Year 13. AS/A-level choice has a bearing on the courses you can apply for at uni, so should be chosen carefully.
HTH!

[texasrose]

Hi,

The SATs tests are held usually in May of Year 9 (so in your dd's case May 2007). They are in English, Maths and Science. In one sense they are not that important compared to the GCSEs which she will take in yr 11. However many schools use SATs results to determine which 'sets' or ability-related teaching groups to put kids in for yrs 10 and 11. When she starts in yr 10 next September she will be doing GCSE coursework straight away which will count towards her final grades (unless the exam boards cahnge things yet again!)

So yr 9 is quite important for preparation for GCSEs. She won't have missed too much but if her English class have studied the Shakespeare text for English SATs it's important that she catches up by getting to know the play. You can buy some good study guides specially for SATs.

Hope she settles in okay and makes good friends!

HTH.

[fizzbuzz]

Hi, usually by this time of year have Y9 coming out of my ears, but am on mat leave at moment so not suffering. she will sit SATS at end of Y9 in Enclish, Maths and Science. All other subjects will get a teacher assesment. The expected level at end of Y9 is a 5 (not4!)-this is where most of school population across company will be. It can go as high as an 8 for exceptional students. A level 5 in Sats is sort of a prediction for GCSE grade C, although it can sometimes be a D. A level 6 would equal predicted grade B at gcse, 7 an A and 8 an A*, but these are only vague guidelines.

She will choose options she wishes to study in Y9, but the following subjects are compulsory: English, Maths,Science, RE PE and Citizenship. Most subjects carry A LOT OF COURSEWORK, but government is changing this.
Hope this helps...

[snorkle]

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[somethingunderthebedisdrooling]

coursework is expected to be dropped entirely from maths, and science starting in 2007. it will therefore affect your dd as they are the first year group to start their GCSE's then. GCSE preparation is a two-year endeavour starting in year 10.

i teach languages and i think (or should i say 'hope' that coursework will also be dropped.

yes, level 5 or above is what most children are expected to achieve in maths, english and science.

[snorkle]

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[Nicola63]

I can't believe how many replies already! Thanks so much for the helpful info! We are prepared for the fact that she will have to be doing extra lessons, extra work etc (I am loooking forward to helping with the Shakespeare etc!!). At the school she is going to they have to do Franch and German to GCSE and she has not previously studied either, so she will be likely to need extra help with this too.

[Nicola63]

PS FIT hello. I am doing much better thanks. As you see, I have a whole new lot of stuff to think about, and am recovering from the m/c and aftermath, so feeling 100% better. Hope you are also feeling better!

[snorkle]

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[Nicola63]

Yes, I think that is a good idea, the school seems very nice and geared to individual requirements so I am sure there is room for discussion. (The secind language she has done up till now is Afrikaans which is of couse no use here!).

[Nicola63]

second not secind! (looks like I can't speak English never mind anything else!

[snorkle]

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