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Original poster

please please help urgently; English gcse set texts.

62 replies

RedRugNoniMouldiesEtc · 29/05/2015 22:23

Ok, long story short my foster son has been massively let down. After a tumultuous two years he had just a few weeks in school to do enough to get through a few gcses. Turns out they didn't cover any of the higher science so poor lad had 5 days and revisewise to try and get through it. Now we've realised that the only thing he's done towards English is coursework and looked at one poem. Add to this that they haven't told us which exam board he's under and I simply can't help him. I was hoping to pick up everything I can tomorrow and make the best we can but I don't know where to start now!

His exam is Tuesday 9am. Can anyone suggest what we need to look at? Any ideas for cliff notes type things?

Whilst I'm pretty cross right now I don't really blame the school, they simply aren't used to dealing with kids who want to get into college and are happy to do extra work. The poor lad is aiming for a medical based career so this is a big deal for him Sad

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MissMillament · 02/06/2015 20:29

How did the language exam go today? I thought the paper was quite good - fairly straightforward and plenty to write about. I hope your DFS found it OK.

Haffdonga · 02/06/2015 20:00

How did he feel it went today? Hope all's well.

ValancyJane · 02/06/2015 17:57

I teach science (mainly bio and chem) - if there's anything I can help with do pm me OP!

woodhill · 02/06/2015 17:50

hope he did ok. I was invigilating so partly saw the paper

Leeds2 · 02/06/2015 09:33

Good Luck to him, RedRug.

KittiesInsane · 02/06/2015 09:03

Also rooting for him here. My own DS has somewhat buggered up his exam revision for today but hasn't anything like the hurdles your amazing lad seems to be tackling.

The stormy night didn't help with getting a good relaxed night's sleep either!

Original poster
RedRugNoniMouldiesEtc · 02/06/2015 09:01

Thank you Smile is it too early for Wine

Maths next - Argh! Grin

OP posts:
DrankSangriaInThePark · 02/06/2015 08:59

Flowers for you Red, and good luck for dfs today.

You are a brilliant fMum. x

Original poster
RedRugNoniMouldiesEtc · 02/06/2015 08:54

Well, he is safely installed in school having revised like you wouldn't believe. Unfortunately he started stressing last night and couldn't sleep until about 5am Sad fingers crossed and pray!

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woodhill · 30/05/2015 21:12

yes AQA English lang, answering questions on a text then looking at 2nd one

Point
evidence - quote
explain

comment on language, metaphors, interesting phrase etc

gillviola · 30/05/2015 20:21

I would log onto the websites of the exam boards where you will be able to see past papers and he may recognise them. Also try mr bruff on YouTube.

mushypeasontoast · 30/05/2015 17:22

Something else to consider- ds1 wants to be a vet. A number of the courses at uni have lower grade requirements for dc from comps if their parents haven't been to uni.
Medicine may have something similar.

gaslamp · 30/05/2015 16:10

I don't have any wise words to offer but rooting for your dfs on Tuesday. Very good luck to him

JacobWrestling · 30/05/2015 15:04

I'm an English teacher. PP are right - it's language on Tuesday.

Regardless of the exam board, it will consist of reading and writing.

For reading, he will have to read some non-fiction texts and answer questions on them. He will have to show understanding of the content, identify some language techniques; and probably compare them. He must manage his time carefully. GCSE Bitesize is useful.

The writing will be 'functional', and he will probably have to do two tasks. He needs to know the features of formal and informal letters, reports, speeches, and leaflets.

Please feel free to PM me if you / he have any questions.

LynetteScavo · 30/05/2015 14:31

Just want to wish your foster son the best of luck for his GCSE's. He sounds great, as do you. Smile Flowers

Original poster
RedRugNoniMouldiesEtc · 30/05/2015 11:31

Do you know, I hadn't even thought of that mums! I'll get hold of the exams officer on Monday about that too thank you! Smile

Thanks bunbaker, I think it's taken him a while to realise that he doesn't have to be "the man" and deal with everything himself. He's getting there though Smile

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mumsneedwine · 30/05/2015 10:19

Hi. I think you are doing a fab job. Just a thought - has anyone let the exam board know about all this. They can take extenuating circumstances into account when grading - and it sounds like he's had a pretty rocky road to navigate. He sounds like he's trying so hard it might be worth a try. Good luck

Bunbaker · 30/05/2015 10:03

I wish him lots of luck in his exams. It's a pity he didn't come to you earlier.

Original poster
RedRugNoniMouldiesEtc · 30/05/2015 00:34

Thank you again everyone. I've had some lovely helpful pms and we have a line of attack ready for tomorrow.

If anyone can pull this off dfs can. He managed to answer about 75% of the science questions - obviously no idea if they were correct - but I think taking a decent stab rather than going to pieces shows an amazing level of fortitude and determination Smile

OP posts:
Charis1 · 30/05/2015 00:08

contact the college, they will still take him in these circumstances.

MissMillament · 29/05/2015 23:57

OP, have PMed you.

Original poster
RedRugNoniMouldiesEtc · 29/05/2015 23:54

Madonna, before this school he was in mainstream but had been excluded, he'd been through many mainstream schools during the gcse years. He came to us from out of area so it took a long time to get him accepted into our area inclusion unit (is that even the right name?).

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Original poster
RedRugNoniMouldiesEtc · 29/05/2015 23:50

No not those either piece. I'll pm you Smile The school have sent the timetable to me and dfs in the post apparently, then again when I said they hadn't arrived - still nothing. Tbh I'm torn between them being terrible and them being brilliant under the circumstances! I will take a look at the website, I hadn't thought of that thank you.

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TheFallenMadonna · 29/05/2015 23:50

No, I see now that it is an inclusion unit so a much smaller cohort. Sorry for not reading properly. What was his provision before he started in his current setting?

pieceofpurplesky · 29/05/2015 23:34

North west? Cheshire area?

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