Year 12 (4): The one where they're pondering what to do next

I would suggest waiting to see how the September exams go. My DS was at DUU (D in Maths AS as it was still the old system for Maths). In September he got DDE and ended up with CCC and got into his BBB Uni offer! My DS also has a special need diagnosed late on. Does your daughter get extra time, does she have problems interpreting questions? Have you thought about getting a tutor for a couple of the subjects? My DS's grades did gradually go up during the Autumn term of year 13, so it can happen!

I think her retaking would be the best option for her, maybe changing one or more of her subjects too. I've also suggested an apprenticeship or BTECs. She will not listen to me though, and just throws back at me that I don't believe in her. I'm feeling extra sensitive about it today as found out last night that mother-in-law has been talking to her daughter (my sister-in-law), about DD. Has really upset me.... Sister-in-law's sons are both very academic. her eldest son had interview at Oxford, graduated with a masters degree, turned down the opportunity to do a PhD and youngest son will be starting a masters next year....

Sandwiches I would let her retake and see what happens. The conversation that follows should include the lead on SEN at the college - it may be that now they have the diagnosis and with the right support she can pull the grades up but it may also be that the retakes show the exam format - or the subjects she's taken - are just wrong for her. It sounds like the college is hoping she'll see that when she retakes the internal exam but I suspect they'll push her to drop the AS subject in any case.

Ironoaks College actively discourage any parental involvement, however I forced a meeting in July after her internal exam results. They told her that usually they would not allow students to continue with those results, however they threw her a lifeline and gave her a second chance, she will have to sit tests when she returns in September and depending on the results of those will determine whether she is to continue. Of course during the summer holidays she has received her AS level result. And to also add into the mix, she was diagnosed with autism in July!

Fed up with being the big bad wolf. I do believe in her, just trying to be realistic

sandwiches77
Is the college / sixth form definitely happy for her to continue studying A-levels in Y13 with those grades?
If she starts again in September with a different course, she can still get funding for two more years.

Also HugoSpritz suggested she changes subjects but am met with the same response

HugoSpritz I have suggested she retakes year 12 but she just comes back at me that I don't believe in her..... sigh...

DD got 3 x U s in her end of first year A level exams (1 x AS level, 2 x internal) she is hell-bent on continuing with A levels when I suggest any alternatives, she says that I don't believe in her...

She has spent 90% of her summer holidays doing nothing. A tiny bit of revision, nothing towards her EPQ or personal statement. Whenever I raise with her, she replies "I know"...

Can she really turn 3 x U grades around?

Too far for us I'm afraid, but the fact that Newcastle Falcons will have home matches against Cornish Pirates could sway it I suppose.

Did anyone’s DC go to the Newcastle Open Day?
DS is off for a ‘self-guided’ tour this week and can ask to see 2 accommodation sites - any recommendations about which to see - or anything else to look out for?

@millicentmartha - I'd like to think not, BUT I'm not sure. The one aspect of life I have tried to embed in my DD is to enjoy travel. We have spent much of the last 10 years plus travelling at every opportunity (on a budget most of the time with the occasional treat)...creating so many memories :-). She's definitely keen to travel far and wide but needs someone younger than me for company. Who knows I may be able to wow her with a treat.

Enjoy your cruises, we have nothing planned on that front ...I did consider sneaking in a 2-night cruise from Southampton to Hamburg in July which was on offer for £99 on the Queen Mary 2 (but I think DD would have hated the stuffiness).

Oneteen, I bet it won’t be your last holiday with your DD. I spent a few days in Barcelona earlier in the holiday with DSs 1, 2 & 3, ages ranging from 21 -17. If it’s a free holiday to somewhere nice, they’ll come.

@looseattheseams - The fjords are lovely, although I think my DD definitely enjoyed looking have the hens - this year. Emor, was definitely a handful escaping from his pen at every opportunity. There is something quite nice about opening a hen house and finding freshly laid eggs (I was raised on a farm and never experienced this).

It's nice that our kids are at an age when they have opportunities and can choose what they do during the summer...music tour sounds lovely and helping out at performing arts too. DD's just about to start guitar lessons which she is "beaming about", she plays the piano but is looking forward to playing guitar without exams!

I agree - some downtime is definitely needed. One of DS's friends has a holiday job but this hasn't rubbed off on him! On the other hand he's going on a musical tour at the end of the month and there are rehearsals so actually I think he's better off as he is.
I'd love to see the fjords! Maybe next year!

Dd has just pulled out of an offer to go to Devon with her grandparents for a few days in favour of a weeks work helping at a performing arts summer school.

I'm very relieved to hear that lots of your offspring are also having a fairly unproductive summer. DD has just completed a week getting her pool lifeguard qualification, but has no actual plans to use it just yet. She's going on a week's residential that has nothing whatsoever to do with her A-levels or university choices. Apart from that, she's reading a lot of fan fiction and we're going to hide on a campsite for a couple of weeks at some point. Today she sat in her wardrobe all day reading a book .

I feel she should possibly be a bit more focussed, but to be honest it's nice to have a chance to be a bit vague for a while. No doubt things will ramp up again as soon as they are back in September.

Yes - we were ...seems a long time ago now. Quiet summer for us this year (we were housesitting in Devon for 10 days - looking after Hens which was actually a really lovely experience although DD would like some Chickens now). Big holiday planned just before Xmas - probably last holiday with DD :-(

Good news from this end too - that DD has arranged two days of work experience in the Labs of the company who make pregnancy tests (should be interesting).

Oh, in DS's defence he claims he's done the philosophy reading that was set. I think some work may be coming on holiday with us!