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Yes i get what you are trying to say about only expecting them to do their best. largely i do agree with that, and that is what we always tell them, whether in competitive sport, or school work, you are competing against yourself, and only the best you can do is what is expected. this is why we are not putting on extra pressure to get A*'s. however, knowing as i do how they sometimes backslide, other stuff gets in the way, and sadly they sometimes get a bit despondent, something (and sadly money seems to work), to work towards does help. i know that what they should be doing is working towards high grades for their future, etc. etc. but i am afraid that kids these days are very aware of the world around them, and can see for themselves that high grades and degrees don't always get you a good job, or even a job at all. it's a hard middle ground to follow, but for the others it did work. the one who found things harder, and often did get the attitude that well who cares anyway, did find a monetary incentive something to push towards. i think it worked, after her first year of gcse work they were not very positive and said she'd be lucky to get 2 or 3 A-C grades. in the end she got 5, plus a near miss which she rectified the following autumn in college. i don't believe in pressurising kids the way they are pressurised at school, and if i felt that this was doing that, i would have thought twice. we do have a very open dialogue with all of them though, as we are fortunate enough to live near them and see them at least once, and sometimes twice a week. thanks for the link to the new grading system. i think we have it sorted now.