Starting year 13 2016

I actually think the process of writing her PS has been useful for DD - she's doing the subjects with least amount of writing, and was always rather dismissive of the gcse 'persuasive writing' exercises on subjects she wasn't really interested in.

That's better news, HSM.

Definitely, Little! It is a bit of a joke, isn't it? The Head of Dept who gave the talk I went to with DD said they don't even look at them

Mirabelle, I am biting the bullet in the hopes that it lasts till next July. I can't face looking for a new one. DD is miraculously not moaning too much about it - probably because she is just relieved I am going to sort it out for £££

Although I suppose that doing PS's that way would turn the whole thing into an exam and that wouldn't be great. I hope the 'powers that be' axe the darn things soon.

No predicted grades yet. A couple of comments on the PS - take a couple of bits out and then expand which dd finds illogical.

They are not really Personal Statements by the time they have been through a couple of teachers. It woud be much more exciting to sit them in a room and tell them to write about why they want to do the subject. I bet the recipients at universities would find the end result much more entertaining to read.

Ouch, not cheap. Is there such a thing as reconditioned cheaper ones ?

Not jealous, not at all! Though second teen not so good.
re the friend asking if you're due on!

DD's laptop needs repairing - will take 2 weeks and cost about £200 But probably better than having to get a new one now - was planning to sort a new one for uni. Why do these things last only for so short a time?

That is the beauty of conducting your parenting via Skype, no shrieking.

However My PSB turned 13 last week and has turned into sloth boy. Clearly I'm not dealing with it too well as friend watched me in action then asked me if I am due on. I went to bed later and Googled the times of the swimming sessions and she asked today if I'd thought about swimming. Zen-like sounds very appealing.

I think DD is highly unlikely to want to ever go to University listening to her recently She's had some success booking in some photo shoots for portraits and I can see her going down that route . Although she will be loath to admit it the photography BTEC has really helped and I' glad she stuck it long enough to come out with the 90 credit diploma. Just need her to get this A level though to keep all options open.

Sorry, hit post too soon, they have no dm's to take it out on

Predicted grades in, and all very official, AAA, her as grades were ABB, but high Bs, so may be achievable, but still a lot of pressure.

Sadly we are not near Nottingham, we are in Surrey, which is her first choice. Ah, she wants her mumma after all

I wonder what it's like at a girls boarding school

teta, I've taken to leaving early for work for the same reasons!

I've taken to going swimming in the evening to calm me down.The thing is my hormones are awry - I'm 52 - and I just shriek back.Which is no good whatsoever.The swimming makes me Zen-like and I actually sleep well.

Mine isn't a shrieker, more of a -er.

Errol, I agree - some strange results from DD's friends and aquaintances. And also fingers crossed for the working harder and getting better grades

And yes, shrieking is de rigeur here. I am trying my best to step away this year!

HSM - is it worth your DD discussing her predicted grades with her teachers and seeing if there is any movement? The majority of unis end up accepting students with a grade or 2 lower than their offer (as long as they are not the most competitive uni/courses). She just needs to make sure her insurance is a realistic choice if her firm choice is aspirational.

Dingit I get shrieked at regularly here too.Theres no telling them anything .

AS grades don't map exactly to A2 though. Apart from there not being an A*, quite a lot of kids do seem to up their game. This seemed to apply even with the old style, but the new ones there's been a bit of a learning curve. DD says that in some subjects (she particularly mentioned friends who do RS) some had done better than had been expected but others significantly worse - maybe some change in marking scheme that they hadn't got to grips with.

The difference between those two possibilities make a difference for at least two choices. Hopefully she will find out soon.

Surely the predicted grades should be what they atrained at AS level (or internal exams) with possibly a grade on top if the teacher feels they could work harder/do better?

dd doesn't have her predicted grades yet which is a bit of a pain. For all we know she could be wasting her time on some open days.

My DD has has hers too - I think its part of the assembling info for UCAS process.

dingit, do you live far from Nottingham? You could always ask for a dept visit; they are usually accommodating.

Also, if your DD put it down, she would probably get an applicant/offer holder visit.

Would she consider that maybe?

Oh no HSM

Yes same here, aging. I think!

DD has her predicted grades because she went and asked each of the teachers. There hasn't been any formal (if that's the right word) notification.