Year 11 GCSE support thread 6 - exams and proms

Does anyone have a full list of which subjects have two exams that count (AS and A2) and which ones they will have to take in one horrendous meltdown scenario sitting in 2017?

Shame about the sixth form Lynette but at least he knows now.

canny - two of my dc's are the same. Take after DH.

Hope he goes this morning, Lynette.

Promzilla here - we had a few words last night about the cost of hair/make-up, etc. I have decided to give her a lump sum and it's up to her how she spends it. She still hasn't tried on the altered dress, and I will have to try and shorten it without her having any shoes yet. I foresee yet more promzilla'ing

With the A Level and AS stuff the other change that seems to have come in under the radar is related to UCAS points. Presently an AS is worth 50% of the points the same grade A Level attracts, from 2017 (so our lot) it will become worth 40%. I can't see many cases when it would make any difference but it is worth being aware of.

I'm hoping my ds carries on the (same as your dd) four A Levels too Errol. As you say the maths ones are the present style so hopefully that will take a bit of the pressure off after the first year and I think there is enough overlap between the four that it should bring the total workload down compared to doing four very different subjects.

Does that mean he has ruled out going to that SF Lynette? Or was the induction optional?

DS is doing his work experience the this week. He's at a local swimming pool. Not said much about it.

Well induction at the sixth form DS was considering didn't go well yesterday....DS decided not to go! Oh well, he seems all set to leave for induction at the school he's been very happy at for the past 5 years this morning. But we'll see...the weathers lovely and he and his friends may well get distracted on the way....

Errol I've just reread the A level changes.Yes you're right the Maths changes are not being rolled out for a couple of years whereas the Sciences are changing from Sept 2015 to linear courses.As levels do not contribute to the A level result but are stand alone qualifications but can be taught concurrently on some subjects.Its all such a puzzle at the moment.I guess this means DD can do the first year of further Maths only,if she wishes which gives her more options.
DD is very thrilled to be able to ditch the essay writing for ever.How come all my kids love Maths and dispise writing,when that was the only thing I was any good at.They obviously havn't inherited my genes then.

It is confusing about AS levels. I think dd said that her school will still make them do them even if they have to be examined on the whole course for A2, but that some subjects still are examined in two halves (I thought she said the maths/FM were but I or she could be wrong).

She's starting with four and I hope she carries them all on to A2 as if she did drop one after AS it'd probably be computing, and I think that maths, FM and physics is too narrow a set. I don't remember double maths, physics and chemistry being an excessive amount of work though we didn't do all the other stuff they seem to now - 'enrichment' (epq) or DofE etc)

So, definitely not doing pure maths but will do use of maths. Liked physics but thinks no point without maths. Preferred graphic deign to product design.

So... Graphic design, use of maths & geography.

Easier here. Dd doing extended Btec diploma (theatre studies-she's going to a performing arts school daaaahling!) and (at my insistence) history a level as well.

True. So will my dd. Ditch the essay subjects that is.

Some of them are quite predictable because they are either really arty or hyper sciency. I know for a fact that younger ds will ditch all arty essay subjects.

Unpredictable teenagers Littleham? Who knew

Good to hear that your teenagers are taking the same number of subjects. Very reassuring. I really can't guess at the moment which one my dd will drop as she is so unpredictable.

DS had the induction day today, he was planning on doing Psychology, RE, English Literature and Biology but is now thinking of taking Sociology as he went along to the lesson for that so he could confirm that he didn't want to study it. Hohum. Now he can't choose between RE and Sociology.

Littleham, like Juggling, DD is planning to start with 4 and drop to 3 - History, Psychology, Economics and Eng Lit at her first choice, though if she doesn't get in there, she may swap Eng Lit for Fine Art at second choice.

Dingit, I have bookmarked one of the YouTube tutorials! I would rather pay to get it done, but the lovely alterations lady said she needed 2 weeks notice (gets v busy I think)

Juggling, glad your DD had a lovely Prom night.

*of

Same here. Starting with maths physics chemistry and graphic design. If course these could change at induction/ results day. She's already worried physics will be too hard, which will rule out engineering

DD is planning on starting with 4 subjects in sixth form Littleham - and most likely dropping one at end of Y12 - which one will depend on how they're going. It is confusing I agree that things are gradually changing this year and some of her subjects may offer an AS qualification and some not - I think!

Plans ATM are Biology, Geography, Maths, and Art, with the last two the most likely contenders to be ditched at some point - Art because it's so time consuming or Maths because it may prove challenging (might be OK though and we both think useful/impressive if manageable - a real facilitating subject especially for data analysis in biology?)

Many thanks also for all the support here getting ready for Prom night last Friday - DD had a great night with her friends and looked lovely (sorry, no pics available yet or allowed!) All the advice here plus the kind invitation from her friend to a pre-prom preparation gathering meant we just about got our mice and pumpkin sorted in time I loved how much she enjoyed it - gave me a a complete run down of the evening sitting on the kitchen floor afterwards!

Induction day in full swing.

Felt very travel sick on bus.. so not a good start!

Was put in pure Maths, when he wants to do use of maths and hated it. Didn;t like physics either.. but he was very much deciding against both of those.

DD still sticking to the same A Level choices (hope they are not too difficult).

How many A Levels are your dc taking? At my dd's sixthform they start with four and drop down to three in the A2 year but I'm a bit confused about what is going to change this year.

DD just about to head off for induction day. One of the talks is apparently about "making the most of the summer". This is likely to involve sitting in a hot hall on a warm day....... . DD is less than impressed! However, prom coming up soon. Have dress but no shoes, accessories etcetera yet. Looks like a shopping trip is on the cards. Good luck to all deciding A level subjects. It's arts all the way here, grades permitting, so fingers crossed! (Needs at least B's for everything, but better would feel a bit more secure)

Mines doing a week of work experience at a Vets.There was much discussion about what to wear on the first day and how to get there.This involves the train followed by bus and walking the last half mile.Dh is picking her up tonight but future evenings will involve a taxi ride to the main train station or she won't get home until gone 7.

Dd's school have advised 3 A levels only unless you get at least 6 A*'s in your GCSE's.Their rationale is the the Alevels are getting harder and they would rather good grades in 3 than mediocre results in 4.Dd's subjects in Maths,further Maths and sciences have no As levels any more apparently though some Arts/humanities still do.Also apparently universities only require 3 A levels for all courses.
I am a bit worried that her school have got this wrong though ( Gdst school).

Poppy I'm glad things seem to be looking up.If only there was a manual for dealing with teenagers ( seems to be masses for infants).

Tilly, there is a youtube tutorial showing you how to do that

Dd has a Saturday job! She's going for a trial run, then hopefully will start after our holiday.