Year 10

Year 10 Parents Information 

Year 10 is a critical year and it is important that students make the best start to their GCSE courses that they can. 

There are a few key things to remember: 

1) When the government moved the exams from grades A*-E to 9-1, the government deliberately set out to make the exams harder. The content is more difficult, and often includes things that were not taught until A level previously. There is also more content than previously. 

2) 9-1 grades have 9 at the top, highest grade. 4s are known as a “pass” and 5s a “good pass” by the Department for Education. There is less coursework than in the past as exams have become “linear” – most subject now have only exam at the end of Y11. 

Parents can support their children by coaching them – there is some guidance here:  How to Maximise Your Progress - Top Tips

3) The content covered in Y10 is not repeated. Other than a very quick revision session at the end of Y11, the things that students study in Y10 will not be revisited. So they need to get it right first time.

Year 10 Letter July 2025

Course and Exam Boards