AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
A teenager claims he is being denied the chance to study a subject he loves because teachers don’t think he will get a C in the subject at GCSE.
George Falloon, who has autism, said reading and studying books helps him understand other people and the world around him better.
The 14-year-old and his parents from Blackwood said he has been denied the English literature GCSE option at his school, Ysgol Cwm Rhymni in Fleur-de-Lys.
The teenager said even if he won’t get a C in English literature when he takes exams in two years time, he should not be stopped from trying.
His parents said their son’s school told them he cannot take the GCSE English literature course in years 10 and 11 because he will not be able to do well enough and is not able to get a C at GCSE.
But they say their son has been allowed to choose drama GCSE among his optional choices.
In a statement issued through Caerphilly council, Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni said it provides appropriate levels of support to match pupils' needs
The comments come as the number of pupils taking English or Welsh literature GCSEs in Wales has plummeted.
Source: Autistic teenager claims he can't study subject he loves because teachers don't think he will pass
A teenager claims he is being denied the chance to study a subject he loves because teachers don’t think he will get a C in the subject at GCSE.
George Falloon, who has autism, said reading and studying books helps him understand other people and the world around him better.
The 14-year-old and his parents from Blackwood said he has been denied the English literature GCSE option at his school, Ysgol Cwm Rhymni in Fleur-de-Lys.
The teenager said even if he won’t get a C in English literature when he takes exams in two years time, he should not be stopped from trying.
It would be very useful because English literature gives an insight into how to understand things and people. That’s particularly useful for someone with autism.
It’s a very important part of my education and it makes me feel very angry that they don’t want people to even try.
It makes me question why.
– GEORGE FALLOON
It’s a very important part of my education and it makes me feel very angry that they don’t want people to even try.
It makes me question why.
– GEORGE FALLOON
His parents said their son’s school told them he cannot take the GCSE English literature course in years 10 and 11 because he will not be able to do well enough and is not able to get a C at GCSE.
But they say their son has been allowed to choose drama GCSE among his optional choices.
They are not giving him a chance. We are not educating children, we are training them to pass exams.
English literature might be more challenging for him as an autistic child but there is time in two years.
At options evening we were told it was not one of the options open to him because it’s only available to certain children.
But even if they don’t get a C those pupils will have learned things and can always try again if they fail. They’re not being given a chance.
– SAM FALLOON, GEORGE'S MOTHER
English literature might be more challenging for him as an autistic child but there is time in two years.
At options evening we were told it was not one of the options open to him because it’s only available to certain children.
But even if they don’t get a C those pupils will have learned things and can always try again if they fail. They’re not being given a chance.
– SAM FALLOON, GEORGE'S MOTHER
In a statement issued through Caerphilly council, Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni said it provides appropriate levels of support to match pupils' needs
We are unable to comment on individual cases, but would like to reassure parents that we always provide appropriate levels of support to match the educational needs of all our pupils.
We want to ensure the best outcomes for all our learners and we plan their individual learning pathways accordingly.
– YSGOL GYFUN CWM RHYMNI
We want to ensure the best outcomes for all our learners and we plan their individual learning pathways accordingly.
– YSGOL GYFUN CWM RHYMNI
The comments come as the number of pupils taking English or Welsh literature GCSEs in Wales has plummeted.
- 2017 English Literature entries fell 44% to 16,835 compared to 30,100 in 2016.
- 2017 Welsh entries declined from 3,705 to 3,320.
Source: Autistic teenager claims he can't study subject he loves because teachers don't think he will pass
