No Graduation in the UK?

[Debi]

bboyminn:
> So, my question is, what are the options for students who don't
> do well on their GCSEs, yet still want to do well in life? Are
> they allowed to take them over? Are they forced to go back to 
> School as they are in the USA? Can they continue on in public
> (government sponsored) school, or if they need tutors and so 
> forth, do they have to pay themselves? 
> 
> Within limits, in the USA, you are forced to keep going to 
> school until you get it right; until you make the minimum grade.
> 
> In the UK, what are the options?

Joeydebs:
No, you don't carry in school and you aren't forced even if you get no GCSEs at all but there are options. Not having been in that situation - I did well at GCSE and carried on to do my A Levels - it's difficult to state though I've heard of some options:

1. Just going straight into full-time work
2. I think you can re-take GCSEs at any point in life but they cost though I'm not sure about under 19s (anyone know?)

If you get SOME GCSEs there are apprenticeships that only ask four or more GCSEs at grade C (that's the minimum pass).

Obviously, that's not definitive but I think it might be the limit of options...though it's also possible to get on some degrees I've seen with just English, Maths and Science at C (they're the *really* important ones because a lot of jobs demand at the least the former two).