Should the 'Foundation' option in GCSEs be withdrawn, particularly for core subjects?

Definitely. It's a joke how easy foundation papers are. The foundation maths papers for example are literally year 7 level maths.

Yes. Of course the questions are much easier, but when you consider the number of marks required for each grade, the marks/percentage needed for a C could be equivalent to that of an A/B on a higher paper - looking at marks alone.

Whereas at GCSE higher the marks needed for a C are really quite low (compared to A level!). The sort of people entered for foundation probably don't like exams at the best of times, so despite the questions being easier, many probably just 'switch off', don't bother and ultimately don't scrape together the high number of marks required for a C, instead getting lower, which is no use and they have to resit in college etc, wasting everybody's time. It'd be better to put the effort into learning slightly harder content to get a C in higher, this probably involves both teachers and pupils alike. In fact I remember in maths some textbooks differentiated certain questions to different grades so in theory those aiming for a C could just master all the C/B level questions and miss out the A questions and possibly get a C?

For example in Edexcel maths last year:
Higher: 65/200 for a C
Found: 139/200 for a C.
Doing higher seems to be 'better value' for marks.

I've never done foundation, but I understand, some people don't care and even if they are lazy, why should we care? People are entitled to their own lives.

As a current GCSE student I completely understand, foundation is not taken seriously by students and in maths this case is very relevant but in subjects like science where half of the students in my school do foundation, all they care about is passing the subject and they believe foundation is good for them and are confident in passing... We can't deny them the opportunity to pass their exams.

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I think it depends on the subject, for maths and english higher should be considered for most/all, but for science and arguably the 'academic' option subjects e.g. geography, history, languages, it may be wise to retain foundation for some. I can't comment on the difficulty of 'GCSE Science' since I did triple sciences but I know many who did higher in all subjects and were in middle sets for science but did foundation for certain units, so I understand.

I agree with setting students by ability, however I think the lowest could've been mixed with the 'middle' attainers. For the core subjects and science there was Set 1 (for science we did triple science) then sets 2-5 all did higher, with set 5 being 'borderline'. Then there was set 6,7,8 which was the problem, who all did foundation. I'm not sure what their (english/maths) classes were like, but if they were surrounded by similar abilities/behaviour I can't imagine there being much motivation and possibly poor behaviour and so poor progress. They could be mixed with the 'middle' students which could help.
Ideally for English/maths I would have a set 1/2 to stretch the highest ability to A*s, then mix sets 3-7 who need to pass, and a much smaller foundation group for those who may need special support.

What about greg? And I don't have a problem with you, I just want you to see how if I am making you feel annoyed, you're doing the same to others. If you want to joke don't be obnoxious please. I'm sure you're incredibly talented, but you don't need to rub it in people's faces. I'm predicted slghtly higher grades, but I don't want to rub it in your face. So please just stop.

Foundation shouldn't be scrapped.
Most of you on this post seem to be the sorta C and higher achievers, so of course, all of you should be entered for higher tiers to get your best possible grade. I have friends who could be getting Bs, but are instead entered for foundation which is of course, limiting them. But this issue should be taken directly to your teacher and if you feel that strongly you should do higher, then stop sitting on your backsides complaining and get parents to complain to school and make some actual progress.

Foundation is designed for pupils who are just looking to pass, and some of the skills that higher papers ask you are just too much out of the reach of these sorts of pupils, even though the grade boundaries are lower and seem easy to achieve. Take science AQA for example, the higher papers require you to apply knowledge, whilst foundation just needs you to recall information. If you're hoping to go into an apprenticeship or a BTEC unrelated to science, then all you want is a pass right. So the foundation papers give the opportunity to get a pass on memory and revision skills. It's much better than putting a pupil of a low ability through the strains that everyone else can find quite easy on the higher paper. Besides, higher papers are designed to get you Bs and As and A*s, if you're only aiming for a C I don't think there's even much point, especially if you struggle with it.

Same with maths and English. If you're one of those who likes to complain about how trigonometry is irrelevant for your future compared to simple numeracy skills, then foundation maths is designed for those pupils who just want to get a C to show they have some mathematical ability that could help them in their future jobs. The AQA English language papers ask you to use more basic skills, like less language analysis. And to be honest, not all jobs need you show you can analyse language. So, foundation is also relevant for this subject.

I'm guaranteed a full set of Bs and higher at GCSE, but In French I was entered for Higher reading and listening foundation. I'll still get a B though, because my coursework is an A. But I chose foundation in this case because I struggled that much with the quicker speaking, and as I'm not taking French to A Level I don't really need to give myself an ego boost and do higher. I just want my B.

Maybe if you all actually thought into the purpose of foundation, you'll get it. It's meant to be easier for a reason. But if you find it that easy, go do higher and get a B or A or something.

I am the retard. Yet, I am in higher for everything, you're the one that is probably doing a btec level health and social care course.

I agree with you to an extent. I do think certain subjects need a foundation paper i.e. the Core subjects, but the options do not need a foundation paper. If somebody is going to only get a C in maths then chances are they want to take a vocational course such as hairdressing, plumbing, public services etc. at Level 3 BTEC, so maybe a Level 2 BTEC will suit them better than doing GCSE options at foundation level?

That definitely wasnt true for my year 11 cohort, alot of us went to do A-levels and then a fair few of those are now at uni

That's great.

What are they studying?

I study theoretical physics, the others do mech eng, chem eng, chemistry, psychology (x2), straight physics, history and another humantities subject (think it was geography)

Also 6 of these (including myself) are at russell groups (not top 5, though I did have an offer from a top 5)

Must have not put enough effort in that, what a shame.