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Original poster

gcse examinations and holidays.

58 replies

stacielise · 01/02/2011 18:24

wondering if anyone can help me.
myself and my partner booked a holiday back in october for ourselves my 6 year old daughter and his 16 year old son. the problem we are facing is GCSE's

we go on the 20th May school breaks up on 27th but im unsure if there is any exams on those dates. still waiting for the school to get back to us.

is it possible for children to sit there exam at a later date. or will he now not be able to go on the holiday? Hmm

hope someone can help me with this. i know logically we shouldnt of booked the holiday without checking. jus didnt realise at the time. x

OP posts:
webwiz · 01/02/2011 22:22

There is no way round the situation that's the advice. Your OH's DS just can't go on the holiday as its at the wrong time for him as GCSEs are in May and June every single year.

Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 22:20

How do you feel about going away without your OH and his son? That seems to be the only way for your OH's son to focus on his exams and for your DD not to miss out on a holiday which obviously means a lot to you and your family.

this is something we are currently discussing, its not ideal, but it seems the only option, jus hard to tell the young lad he cant go now, especially cause his dad didnt organise things properly. :(

OP posts:
Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 22:19

thankyou maureen.

i have tried speaking to my OH and trying to sort stuff, but clearly some people on the forum have got the complete wrong end of the stick. i didnt intentionally book anything to ruin GCSE exams, the lad wants to go in the army and i know he needs his gcse grades to do this. hence why im the one searching and trying to sort something.

OP posts:
MumInBeds · 01/02/2011 22:18

How do you feel about going away without your OH and his son? That seems to be the only way for your OH's son to focus on his exams and for your DD not to miss out on a holiday which obviously means a lot to you and your family.

Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 22:16

right so im trying to sort it coz i think wasting my time asking questions searching websites ringing people is all part of my 'FUN' activities.

the holiday was not booked not thinking of the OH's son and frankly u have no right to judge me in that way.

ive asked advice. im clearly no longer getting any advice i was looking for. could of ended at no, you cant take him out of school, cant take exams later never mind judging me.

i asked the advice so that i could think of a way around the situation, because it cannot be changed, not get told i should cancel etc

OP posts:
MaureenMLove · 01/02/2011 22:15

If his school is anything like mine, they will be setting up revision lessons during haf term as well, so personally I wouldn't take him during half term either.

I think your OH hasn't thought this one through at all tbh. It's all very well saying he can re-sit it, but will he really be in a great frame of mind for taking his exams when he gets back from a holiday? I doubt it. Which will mean potentially sitting more than one again in November. Not very helpful. He needs to spend that week, getting his head in a book, not on a sun bed!

(I understand it's not you btw!)

ajandjjmum · 01/02/2011 22:10

But you have booked the holiday, which implies that you don't think the exam period is important. And it is not just in half term (which is valuable revision time anyway), it would actually take a week out of school.

I think you have put your holiday before your OH's son, and I don't think that's right.

Sorry - I know it's not what you want to hear.

TheCowardlyLion · 01/02/2011 22:07

I'm sort of resigned to the fact that parents take primary school aged children out of school for holidays and can see the argument of 'how much will they really miss at that age anyway?'

But I am really struggling with the idea that anyone would book a holiday not only in term-time but during the exam period for a child in Yr 11 Hmm

I honestly wonder what planet some people live on.

Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 22:05

how does no one realise the importance of his exams??? that is not what has been said anywhere along the line. im trying to find stuff out so i can sort things. ive not once said well bugger the exams the holiday is booked. far from it. i done my GCSES only 8 years ago so know fine well the importance of GCSEs i wouldnt be where i am now without them.

OP posts:
TmiEdward · 01/02/2011 22:00

If he misses an exam then the school may charge.
Our local school charges £75 for each missed exam.

ajandjjmum · 01/02/2011 21:56

Yes stacielise.

I think it's really sad that no-one seems to realise the importance of his exams, and that he should be supported in his revision and preparation. They will affect his whole life.

I realise that he's not strictly speaking your responsibility, but surely his Dad should be aware of what's going on in his school life, and the importance of this year, and plan family holidays accordingly.

Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 21:55

we dont live together. i dont live with my OH either. I am paying for myself and my daughter they are paying seperate.
i will not cancel on my daughter and let her down. im hoping an arrangement can be made for the OH's son, but it is not my responsibility, ive tried to sort something, but obviously i cant make the best of an already bad situation.

OP posts:
Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 21:53

poor kid ??????????????

OP posts:
Milliways · 01/02/2011 21:53

I honestly think you'll have to sit down with all family members and explain why the holiday HAS to be changed. This is his whole future here.

My DD refused to go camping on a Bank Hol weekend before her GCSE's as it would affect revision time. End of May is revision, revision and more revision.

DO you all live together? If not then maybe it's not so bad if you go and the boy & his Dad stay home, but if you live together that would be cruel.

Sorry, but I think you have time to cancel/re-book and should do so.

ajandjjmum · 01/02/2011 21:41

Poor kid.

seeker · 01/02/2011 21:38
Hmm
Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 21:27

meaning we enquired about the gcse's dates and because they couldnt give us an exact date we chose to go over half term as to avoid any clashes. but the hol starts a week before half term. and as i said that cant be changed because its my daughters grandparents we are going with and she shouldnt lose out either.

my partner is too laid back and says it will get sorted, but hence why im trying to sort it coz it never will if he is in charge! and my OH son doesnt seem to fussed either. obviously i dont agree with this or i wouldnt be searching for advice, id of jus let him get on with things.

OP posts:
MumInBeds · 01/02/2011 21:21

stacielise In the same post:

"yeah thats the site i was looking on mum in bed. we did enquire about gcse's before the holiday was booked. but they didnt have exact dates yet"

"reason why i chose to go over half term too. jus didnt think for the OH sons gcse's at the time."

They don't seem to go together but maybe that's just me.

What do your OH and your OH's son think to things? I know my DS would be very upset if I booked a holiday for him over his GCSEs then suggested he delays his exams.

Original poster
stacielise · 01/02/2011 21:15

i merely asked some advice. hes not my son, so final decision will not be down to me. thats his dads choice.

im the one trying to sort something out about the holiday not my problem he cant be fussed.

i dont see why me and my daughter should have to lose out. its a holiday with my daughters grandparents hence why it is booked for when it is so cant be changed.

i would never take him out of school to miss exams, i wasnt allowed when i was at school. i had to wait till the year later while all my brothers and sisters had their holiday.

OP posts:
PixieOnaLeaf · 01/02/2011 21:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

roisin · 01/02/2011 20:45

This is a CRAZY time to take a yr11 student out of school. Even if he doesn't miss exams, he will miss vital revision lessons.

If he misses an exam he will have to re-sit next year.

seeker · 01/02/2011 20:34

And are thinking it's a good idea to get him to take the exams at a later date so you don't miss your holiday??

seeker · 01/02/2011 20:33

You booked a holiday during GCSE time? Why?

Milliways · 01/02/2011 20:03

DS is taking his GCSE's this year, and this is the first time since he started school that we have been able to book outside the Summer Hols - but we are going early July.

Now I have his timetable I realise we could have gone 1 week earlier, but it was too risky to book without the timetable in hand. The only assurance we had was they WILL be finished by end June.

crazymum53 · 01/02/2011 19:01

I would rearrange for the end of June after exams are finished - most Y11s can leave school after their exams so it won't be a problem then.