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Original poster

Would this be a sensible or a stupid thing to do?

60 replies

BertrandRussell · 19/11/2015 16:35

DS is in year 10. Last year he had a fantastic English teacher who really enthused the class and got some fantastic work out of them. DS loved it and made excellent progress. This year, however, the teaching is very -"pedestrian"- for want of a better word (you can tell by the homework set, it's not just what DS says)- and DS is just gloomily getting on with it. He's conscientious, so is doing what he has to do and getting good marks, but he is bored and there is a lot of year left. He tells me that the others in his group feel the same. I am sorely tempted to send a tactful email to last years' teacher asking for her advice. But that would be really daft, wouldn't it? Particularly as this year's teacher is the HoD?

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Original poster
BertrandRussell · 24/11/2015 21:12

As I said earlier- I am very good at using my 7 minutes. And there are several teachers, after all..............Grin

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HocusUcas · 24/11/2015 20:16

Hang on Bertrand - you've only got 7 minutes - don't get too ambitious Grin

IguanaTail · 24/11/2015 16:22

Yes do update. Hopefully they won't have to brace themselves as usual!

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 24/11/2015 15:14

I might ask tomorrow- I'll let you know. If i have time between being difficult and unpleasant and launching aggressive verbal attacks.

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SheGotAllDaMoves · 24/11/2015 15:08

I bet they do learn how to do it.
It's just that they won't be tested on it.
At GCSE content is more important than structure IYSWIM.

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 24/11/2015 14:27

It just seems a shame that they aren't learning how to craft a proper essay as they go along. For those who are going on to A level it's something else they have to learn in 6th form. And for everyone else it's a skill they might find useful- conclusions to pieces of writing in particular are often a good thing. Particularly if the reader is only going to read the first and last paragraph of your CV, proposal, report or whatever........

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SheGotAllDaMoves · 24/11/2015 13:16

talkin of course it is basic.

It does not require 'proper' essays as this thread shows.

A GCSE is an academic starting point. There is no more basic academic qualification. So do please save your pointless biscuit!

talkinnpeace · 24/11/2015 12:31

GCSE is still pretty basic though.
Biscuit
There are thousands and thousands of kids for whom it is their upper limit.
It is such an offensive attitude to generalise like that.

GCSE is a precursor to higher exams for the academic
it is not pretty basic

SheGotAllDaMoves · 24/11/2015 06:41

GCSE is still pretty basic though.

A levels certainly involve intro/conclusion.

SettlinginNicely · 23/11/2015 23:27

I assumed you were laughing at yourself for being over keen/earnest at parents' evenings compared to your peers.

I'm Shock about the essay intros and conclusions. Back in my day you had to craft a reasonable "five paragraph essay" to get into tertiary education, but I'm not even British.

IguanaTail · 23/11/2015 20:08

(I know what was meant.)

By the way there are zero marks available for the intro and conclusion - it only needs to be there to set up the argument and to make it cogent.

lifesalongsong · 23/11/2015 17:54

Rather than speaking to the previous teacher could you raise the concerns with the current teacher or HOD. I don't think there's anything worng with a tactful discussion.

You sya there's not much parental involvement so maybe you'll be the only one raising concerns but you still might be lucky and someone may take your comments on board.

And FWIW I knew you were joking about the bracing, it's the kind of comment I might make about myself too Smile

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 23/11/2015 17:46

Wow, iguana. Just wow. A whole thread- then one word and I'm planning to be difficult and unpleasant. Another Hmm is called for I think.

Ralph- I think my previous GCSE child had a much more old fashioned education- and it was only 5 years ago!

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RalphSteadmansEye · 23/11/2015 17:04

I think openings and conclusions have been off the table (so to speak) as far as marks are concerned for years...right up to degree level.

I don't think you're supposed to tell them what you're going to tell them before you tell them, you're just supposed to tell them! (But you can use the opening to tell examiner you understand context - whereas in my - your? - day, you never referred to context: it was all about close reading of the text.)

IguanaTail · 23/11/2015 16:19

Oh I see. It was the word "braced" that made me think that, as it means to prepare yourself for something difficult or unpleasant. When you said that your child's teachers would be "braced" and said "as usual" it gave me the impression that you were planning on being difficult or unpleasant and that this happened normally. Obviously though you then said it was a little joke.

I have to say I have never felt "disconcerted yet delighted" at the same time? Maybe the split second when I have a chocolate in my mouth and realise it's the last one?

talkinnpeace · 23/11/2015 15:09

Molio
With one of DSs teachers the only way to stay within the time limit is to cut across them constantly to get to the point.
Last time I watched about 4 parents do it to the same teacher - and on they witter Grin

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 23/11/2015 14:12

Just a little........surprised.........that anything I have posted might lead you to believe I was remotely likely to "launch and aggressive verbal attack"

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IguanaTail · 23/11/2015 13:14

Why the confused face after my quotation, Bertrand? Is something not clear?

SheGotAllDaMoves · 23/11/2015 09:21

bertrand I suspect the teacher will cover how to top and tail an essay, but will also advise them that these are the bits that attract least marks so better to skate quickly over.

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 23/11/2015 08:55

"The way you worded it made me think that you were psyching yourself up for some kind of aggressive verbal attack. I would hope that's not the case!"Hmm

Molio- nope, but I am very good at using my 7 minutes.(there is talk of cutting it down to 5 as more parents come -but so far it's still 7)

She's-thank you. Seems a shame to me they aren't learning proper essay writing, as well as the "stuff"- but I accept that my time has passed!

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Molio · 23/11/2015 08:08

Iguana perhaps Bertrand is simply one of that league of parents who go massively over their allotted five minute slot? THESE PARENTS ARE VERY ANNOYING. (Apologies if you're not guilty Bertrand, but I'm limbering up for my 50th secondary school parents' meeting on Thursday and have wasted hours of my life....).

SheGotAllDaMoves · 23/11/2015 07:36

bertrand IIRC my DD was told to do very brief intro/conclusion lady year as there were no marks in it.

She applied them merely for tidinessGrin.

Students who always found themselves running out of time were advised to skip 'em.

So I'm thinking that bit hasn't changed too much? DS never mentioned this. But he did IGCSE so could have been a different marking scheme?

IguanaTail · 23/11/2015 00:41

We don't have a huge amount of parental involvement - I'm neither disconcerted nor delighted when parents have questions. I don't really see why anyone would be. Parents have every right to ask questions - the whole point of a parent consultation is that there is a two-way conversation between two interested adults.

The way you worded it made me think that you were psyching yourself up for some kind of aggressive verbal attack. I would hope that's not the case!

Original poster
BertrandRussell · 22/11/2015 22:08

It was a sort of joke, iguana. But it's not a school where there is a lot of parental involvement. So teachers are simultaneously delighted and disconcerted when they come across a parent who says "yes, but........"

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IguanaTail · 22/11/2015 21:57

The problem is that nobody knows for sure what is going on with English GCSE.

Why would your child's teachers be braced for a meeting with you?