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As a parent, you support your child through all stages of their education, from choosing their first school to helping them decide on their path for further education. The guidance that you give your child will be invaluable to their success and long-term happiness.
Trying to keep up with education changes, such as GCSE grading and further education options, as well as the changes to apprenticeships and processes for selecting a university, can make careers and education choices seem overwhelming.
While most parents are well-intentioned in supporting their children at key stages in their academic career, the simple reality is that in a rapidly changing world, they’re not always fully equipped with the resources to do so successfully. This page aims to provide a guide for you to support your child through their education journey.
The core and optional subjects everyone must take at GCSE in England are:
Core Subjects (everyone must take) |
Optional Subjects |
| Maths | Modern Foreign Language |
| English Literature | Humanities |
| English Language | Arts Subjects |
| 3 Sciences | Technical Subjects |
| PE | PE |
9
A*
8
A
7
A
6
5 and above - top of C and above
B
5
C
4
4 and above - bottom of C and above
D
3
E
2
F
1
G
U
U
All students are required to gain a grade 4 in English Literature and Maths in order to pass their GCSE. These are the only two subjects which all students are required to re-take at college if they do not meet this level. Grade 4 is equivalent to a `C` and a 5 is a high `C` pass.
