GCSE 2018 no. 6: stress, struggles and success (hopefully) *Title Edited by MNHQ*

DS3 seems quite laid back at the moment. Hopefully not too much, but better than him stressing.

Most of the schools locally have sixth forms but there's a lot of movement between schools after Y11. There's also a large college. So the end of Y11 definitely marks a major transition. Even if you stay in your own school, a lot of your friends will be leaving and there will be a lot of new faces in sixth form.

DS3 gets study leave after half term and a short leavers' assembly on the 25th May, prom after the exams.

I hope all poorly DC recover soon. So miserable to be ill at just the wrong time.

I missed my A levels due to shingles, but in the days when sitting resits was fairly easy, so I took them in the following January. I had 6 months working and went to university with a bit of money behind me. It seemed a disaster at the time but it was fine in the end.

I am getting freaked out by the reference to the paper on Friday? In that this paper is not on dd's exam list. Her English language exam is listed as:

Code O55DS
Title: First Language English OPT DS Reading Passages (EXT) 21
Board: CIE

It was a 2 hour exam but 2.5 hours for her with extra time

It was the one re work experience and a father writing a report

But also had another section on miners I think?

Anyway - we do not have a second English language exam listed for Friday?

But the rest of you do and it appears to be the same IGCSE

DS seems ridiculously laid back about it all I keep saying aren't you stressed/nervous at all!!!!!??? I know I shouldn't really say anything but at this point with DD she was up round the light bulb!! with me not far behind!

BlueBelle123 - I'm finding DD is revising but she's more laid back than she was in January with the mocks and it's definitely tools down at 8pm every night.

Oddly enough I think she has a mature attitude towards the exams ..she's put in probably more than enough work to get decent grades but is not fretting about higher grades - in her words, she does not want that pressure.

DS was struggling to revise tonight so I told him to take the night off, he was a bit reluctant so I suggested we watch an Inspector calls, as its one of his books for Literature, I was just getting in to it when DS turned it off apparently it was confusing him as its different from the book.......he's definatly reached the point where he's struggling to get any enthusiasum for revision. I shall be glad when monday arrives!!!

DD was practising writing a newspaper article in English last week ... a large sigh from me - DD's IGCSE Eng Lang after HT!

mmzz all the exam boards will be different. On CIE it could be a letter, report, article etc. Check your DS's syllabus if you're worried but I'm sure it's fine.

Prize giving for year 11 is not till October.

Thanks sandybayley and cherrybun

DS will have last exam on the 15th, then a week of work experience, then they have an U16s cricket tournament on the 26th and 27th, back in school for 28th and then end of term on 29th!

Cricket all that weekend and then a 3 school festival the 2nd, 3rd and 4th and then that’s it.

Superdoodle - Could it be hayfever and tree pollen causing the sore throat - both DD and I struggling ..DD nose partly blocked and breathing is quite bad and sore throat (but hoping that worst is over with three pollen and then we can progress to grass . Try antihistamine may work.

No leavers assembly either - school goes up to Yr 13...they had a party in the playing fields last Friday...Hoodies are given out on the last day they all sit the same exam so assume that will be either Eng or Maths. Prom tickets already on sale ... There is a prize giving in June but only for girls who are awarded a prize.

Keep chins up for the DC's who found English tough today..onwards and upwards...

I don't think I ever want the words Computer Science mentioned again after next week ..I'm expecting DD to spend most of this week on the said subject largely down to gaping holes in what was taught over the last two years.

mmzz I bet the maths dept love whoever made that decision as well!

I'm obviously not an English teacher, but one of the biggest issues we have with students writing reports in exams is that they start off with good intentions (headings, an intro summarising the requirement) then it all fizzles out. They forget to link elements together, so they move abruptly from one element to another, and rarely put a brief conclusion at the end.

Now, do I ask DD if they've practised writing reports as well as the persuasive letters they seem to have been wallowing in for months?

I do think it must be an anti-climax if they don't have a moving onward/upwards event of some description.

No it's CIE igcse Sost

It was IGCSE CIE sostenuto

Sandybayley was that aqa board? Or do all aqa sit on same day as DGD got eng. Language after bank hol.?

Sandybailey was that aqA?

Nite to all good luck for tomorrow to all DC and though it be hard remember, a smile a day keeps the doctor away!

Got a bit more out of DS1. He says it was indeed a report (a father reporting on his son's work experience). He says he's seen harder papers but it was a difficult one. Apparently they'd practiced every other format (persuasive letter etc) but never a report.

He also thinks that the paper on Friday is the easier one.

No leaving do for him. A couple of 6th form familiarisation days but it just seems to peter out.

Sorry to hear DGD has got her period sostenuto. I feel for her, got mine on my wedding day

Sorry, to clarify I meant it's difficult for them to tell if they think it's gone badly. Not that those for whom it has gone well might be wrong!

Does anyone know the date for exam work is? I know coursework for art has to be done by 30th may.