UK Secondary Schools... Yr 9 or 10

kamjjj

Is it more advantageous to go for Yr 9, ie one year earlier?

DKmum

kamjjj 發表於 17-9-12 08:38
Is it more advantageous to go for Yr 9, ie one year earlier?

If financial is not an issue, the earliest the better.  

However, even if kids start at yr 10, it won't be any problem in adaptationI asked my daughter to go at yr 9 around 3 years ago but she wanted to stay one more year in HK, so she started at yr 10 instead.  Except learning foreign language which local students start much earlier, other than that, she adapted well in school life!

peter_pan

I have no doubt there are many success stories of those starting in Year 10, but personally I cannot recommend highly enough the advantages of starting in Year 9!
1) Most schools begin in Year 7 or Year 9, but even for those schools beginning in Year 7, they inevitably have a large intake for Year 9 students. So arguably it is easier to get into good schools in Year 9 as there are more places available. Some schools do not even accept Year 10 students simply because there is no places available.
2) Due to the large intake in Year 9, it is far easier to make friends as many are in the same boat as new students. Breaking into pre-existing circles is always going to be more difficult.
3) Year 9 allows students to sample many different subjects so it makes picking GCSE subjects easier as students already have a taste of what each subject entails.
4) GCSE courses are 2 year courses so joining in Year 10 will mean having to hit the ground running whereas joining in Year 9 will afford the student a year to adapt and find his feet before focusing on studying the following year.
5) To those whose English may not be of a sufficiently high standard, starting in Year 9 will give him time to catch up before the serious business of GCSE starts!
6) Year 9 is more relaxing and gives student breathing space to sample new extra-curricular activities such as CCF, drama, sports and perhaps even starting a new musical instrument.

Mighty

Yes Peter, all agreed with your points.  Some schools start choosing GCSE subjects from Year 9 so if one has decided to go, should go in Y9.

DKmum

peter_pan 發表於 17-9-12 16:52
I have no doubt there are many success stories of those starting in Year 10, but personally I cannot ...

Totally agreed what you said, it's definitely to start at yr 9 is better than Yr10, as I said if financial is not an issue and the child is ready to go!

kamjjj

DKmum 發表於 17-9-12 13:13
If financial is not an issue, the earliest the better.  

However, even if kids start at yr 10, it  ...

Thanks DKmum... agree child's readiness is definitely a key.

kamjjj

peter_pan 發表於 17-9-12 16:52
I have no doubt there are many success stories of those starting in Year 10, but personally I cannot ...

Thank you Peter so much for the considerations....