There's no real harm in resitting your GCSE's but at the same time there's probably no real need or benefit in doing so either.
Most of the assessments that you'll undertake have very little to do with GCSE related things anyway aside from maybe the English required for the application form.
There are plenty of people in places like the Jobcentre who can assist in writing application forms etc......There are even people on here that I dare say would be more than happy to help you.
I'm no expert but feel free to drop me a pm and I don't mind having a look over your application to see if there's anything obviously wrong with it.....totally understand if you'd rather not though.
But what I would say mate is that you're applying for a position with thousands of other applicants........The odds are already stacked against even the best applicants right from the beginning simply due to the numbers.
Like I say even the best applicants will have someone who's better qualified in a certain area......The key is showing that you're the best in as many areas as possible.........you can do that simply by doing your research on absolutely everything from the application......The recruitment process.......The training course right through to the things a driver with 30 years experience still faces.
It really is about making yourself stand out from everyone else and if not just being on par with them to give yourself a fighting chance. Also don't give up, very few people get a train driving job first time! It took me the best part of 8 years. If you've got the flexibility don't just limit yourself to one TOC either....remember just because your application wasn't accepted by TOC-A it doesn't mean TOC -B won't accept it.
Don't be sucked in by some of the bitterness by others on here who've stuck one application in and because they didn't get it first time there's obviously a conspiracy either......These are the people that obviously haven't done their research and think that the process is a walk in the park!........that or they're over confident, both of which being a recipe for disaster.
Perserverence is what will get you through dont give up after one knock back and use any feedback that you can as a positive.....no matter how little you've had it can still be used to your advantage.......If you've been told there's more experienced applicants nip down to your nearest train crew depot and as what you can do to get more experience.....think outside the box.
don't be fooled by the GCSE thing mate........Academic things like that will always take a back seat to common sense in this grade. Remember GCSE/ A levels etc prove that you're pretty decent in a classroom environment.........common sense is the thing that stops you killing someone.
You can probably tell from my awful grammar that my GCSE results were nothing to scream from the rooftops about but I'm still a pretty good driver even if I do say so myself lol!!!!!!
Good luck matey.