Year 11 GCSE Exam Support Thread 2

Dd has to have icecream! She love blueberries, so I have those for healthy snacking.
I've also bought her some multi vitamins. I know it's debatable whether they work or not, but they can't be doing any harm.

Just doing tomorrow's shopping delivery and trying to think what DD would like. She has strawberries, prawn cocktail crisps, pea and ham soup and ham and pineapple pizza . Funny combination when you look at it written down ! Lots of focus on what's for tea from her these days.

At DD's school PSHE is covered in tutor time (and in KS3 also in other random lessons like drama)

Yes I think he must do it in form time. He has already started his GCSE options, and he doesn't have it timetabled.

4 hours of maths sounds like my idea of fun!

(But DD's idea of hell).

SugarPlum - 4 hours of maths sounds even worse!

at HT's interchangeable children.

DD has PHSE but is trying to persuade teacher to let them revise. But she is so worried about Ofsted coming she isn't letting them.

BTM, DD has 4 hours of Maths today. I need to buy something nice for tea as find that softens a tough day at the moment .

My dd was asked to do an essay in RS giving the viewpoint of one religion. She chose atheism & was told it wasn't allowed. Hope she doesn't do it in the actual exam! Zero marks.

DD does PHSE. She says it's usaully chatting about social stuff (drug use, relationships etc). They also haul in speakers.

She also does half a GCSE in RS (what is the point of that?).

DS does neither.

I think it is compulsory to study PSHE to a certain age - is Citizenship part of PHSE, and then that is what they do the exam in?!
RS/RE is also compulsory to study, and at the DC's school, they are all supposed to do the exam - was an easy one for DD last year, thank God

I didn't think PSHE was exactly the same thing, but at DD's they do them in the same slot in the gcse years, along with RS. They don't have to do any of them for gcse now (hurray) but I thought that it was compulsory for all kids through KS4 to do a bit of them all. Maybe your DS's year is just doing a bit in form time or something, dingit.

PHSE/citizenship is compulsory at the DC's school, but I think some DC have dropped it now in Y11. DD is still doing it.

She went off quite happy this morning - saying that she has 4 hours of science

PSHE is the same as citizenship isn't it? Dd has to do that as a GCSE, which she's not impressed with, but I think that's because of the teacher. However she got an A* in her mock, so it's good UCAS points innit?
DS on the other hand y9, doesn't do it at all.

DD's sixth form has similar 'enrichment' choices Tulip - though the gold DofE is in addition to everything else. Her HT has suggested that she does some sort of electronics project for an EPQ to make up a bit for the lack of the systems and control A-level.

She's a bit jealous of a school nearer to our sailing club which has started taking sixth formers there to learn to sail as an enrichment option.

SugarPlum Art was fine, a bit boring but half of the work was done. I should add I have DD and DS both doing art. I use them interchangeably because I am lazy so my messages aren't as long winded.

No revision sessions here either but after the GCSE the lessons become revision time. After DS has done art today they will be able to either revise or do whatever art they fancy in lesson time.

General Studies is done here as well, plus they can choose from the sports leader award, community volunteering, school community award, DofE Gold, Active-U (no idea what that is!), Extended Project Qualification (ditto), Pre-Graduate Certificate in Education, Work Experience or Critical Thinking. DS is already doing AS level critical thinking so he might do the full A level in that time but he hasn't thought about all that yet.

errol they are indeed [eyes bills sitting on sideboard sternly].

TBH though I still don't think they'd countenance our approach.

If necessary I will say they're ill with sickness and the runs ( both schools have boarders and fear this like the plague ).

That said, if DC are getting useful revision sessions at school then I think it's wise to go in. But both mine find it easier to properly get their heads down at home. They say that if you take into account all the assemblies/PE/PHSE etc plus actually getting there and back, there isn't much time to actually sit quietly and learn stuff or do past papers on your own.

I can only hope they're making good choices .

Glad your DD had a good time, word. They're at private schools, aren't they? I'm not sure state schools are allowed to just let parents use their discretion now like that. Though I don't think my DD would contemplate an unauthorised day off anyway!

No, not discussed with school, am simply making an executive and unilateral decision.

In the past, when DC have been ill, all I've had to do is call and say they won't be in. No one's ever actually asked what's up. So am assuming the same situation will apply tomorrow .

I think we will probably hit and miss until proper study leave.

BTW DD is back and had a fab time. She's in the bath now turning the water grey!!!! There's no way on God's Green Earth she's going in tomorrow.

Word re your informal study leave. Have you discussed this with the school or are you just going to phone in saying not coming in?

I'm wondering, as DD has some empty sessions as dropped a subject and when they are last period I'd rather she just came home as she can work more effectively 1-1 with me.

Here at Casa Wordfactory, we're instigating study leave informally, when we feel the need, prior to anything 'offical'.

DS has already said he probably won't go in tomorrow, and will spend the day revising at home. DD will probably benefit from a day off and TLC too after her camping exertions.

Excellent news on Maths HSM

There are after school sessions for some subjects at DD's school and study leave starts 15 May.

Whether DD thinks it's as bad will depend largely on whether it's the same teacher as they had for yrs 10/11, I suspect. As I understand it, at her school they have to do it but don't have to do the exam if they're doing more than 3 proper A levels. (she's down for Maths, FM, Physics and comp. sci - but not so keen on the latter, wishes there was a 'further physics'!)