Gcses 2019 support thread 5

Well you can do grades in singing!
I'd take him seriously and get him information from places such as the course from Surrey (I would be very happy if a child of mine did that course). He seems like he is doing the wrong subjects to get into those kind of courses though - but if he insists then the BTech won't do too much harm, and he might find it much harder than he expects. And lots of people change their minds and subjects over the summer.

I would wonder if he should be taking up an instrument on the side with it though?

Oh god, Molly - I said this exact thing to him last night.

Apparently... 'my VOICE is my instrument, mum'!

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, bless him.

He does have a nice voice, and he does write beautiful lyrics, I'll give him that. Just can't play a note. I dunno. Oh, for the confidence of youth!

Thanks fibbke and soursprout - that's really reassuring. The irony is that I accept lots of students onto my programme with BTECs rather than A-levels, but equally I know they tend to struggle a little more with the step up to university work, so I think that does affect my feelings about BTECs a bit. Mine is an RG uni but it is a more 'vocational' course, so...six of one, half a dozen of the other as they say!

I guess if he keeps History and Politics as well he's keeping his options open.

Perhaps I am letting my feelings about his father's life-path cloud my judgement a little. I can't tell you how galling it is to hear 'dad's being much more supportive than you'...yes well darling your father lives on the other side of the world, pays no child support and still thinks he's Iggy fucking Pop so excuse me if I take his opinion with a bucketload of salt...

What can you do anyway? We can only advise and encourage and try to make sure they have everything covered. So true! I just want him to be happy really and be able to pay his own way and not put all his earnings up his nose yes I am looking at you ds's father

OK, I will chill out. He's off to another introductory day today. This college runs a similar course but would require him to audition! I've told him to ask lots and lots of questions. We'll see.

soursprout the cost of non uniform really depends on what they already have by way of civvies and whether or not they are still growing. My DDs have had a clothes allowance since age 14 and have built up a solid wardrobe. I paid nothing extra for Dd1's 6th form wardrobe and it will be the same for DD2. They're both canny charity shoppers too.

BTechs do have the advantage that they are all coursework, and by the end you already know pretty much what grade you have. DD's college really rates them and has got students into pretty good Universities with them.
I would wonder if he should be taking up an instrument on the side with it though?
(If he is really interested in that career - the gold star course is the Tonmeister course at Surrey - but I think you need to be grade 8 to get on.)

Dd is goong to bath uni with a btec and 2 a levels.

Dd2 emailed exeter to ask if she would be considered with eng lit, rs and textiles as a levels, they emailed back to say as long as she got an A in English and excellent grades in the others they didn't mind what subjects she did.

So it may not necessarily be a problem. Fwiw my dd3 would love that btec!

Angst after yesterday's intro day. DS has now decided he wants to drop an A-level in favour of a music production/performance btec. I am extremely doubtful about this idea. He is really into his music but doesn't really have any experience - doesn't play an instrument etc. He says according to the course leader this doesn't matter.

Apparently he's been thinking about it for 'ages' but didn't say anything 'because I knew what you'd say'...

His feckless father is a failed rock star and so is egging him on, from the safety of 6000 miles away

Would two a-levels (eg history and politics) plus a btec ('worth' either one or two a-levels depending on which course he chose) really be a problem? Am I overthinking this, with my academic-snob hat on? He says he wants to do something creative that he's passionate about as well as standard a-levels...can I really argue with that? He doesn't really know if he wants to go to uni or not.

Aaargh.

Dd has had no uniform from Y7. Starts off quite formal then by A levels school is very hands off with guidelines, girls are so casual they look like Uni students. Originally disappointed there was no uniform but it has given her confidence to make fashion choices and put a working wardrobe together. It’s much trickier I think for girls!

Mixed feelings about reading the reports of sixth form attire. DS expecting to go back to school sixth form and no real change to uniform. They're allowed to wear coloured shirts rather than white but still other full uniform incl tie, blazer, black trousers/shoes. It's easier and cheaper than buying a suit and having the worry of what the relaxed uniform 'should be' if there were fewer guidelines, but it feels less of a transition to adulthood. DS seems very happy though and that's the main thing for me. I'm already getting anxious about results but trying not to pass that on to him.

I think I somewhat misrepresented the uniform policy at DS's current school, as this was going on hearsay. Despite us not having actually applied to the school for sixth form, we seem to be getting all the letters (and the headteacher did say, when I went up to say thank you and goodbye at the prize day, that if DS changes his mind there is always a place for him).
The actual uniform policy is as follows:
"The Sixth Form uniform policy requires all [boys] to be dressed in formal jackets and trousers, though we will not be insisting that they wear ties. They will need to wear formal suit trousers, stiff collared formal shirts and a suit jacket whilst they are in school, as well as formal shoes. The jackets and trousers can be black, grey, dark brown or navy blue in colour, though they do not necessarily have to be matching."

Just catching up with all the proms and induction days. DD and I spent a couple of days in London last week and it was great to relax a bit. We went to Bodyworks which was great fun.

I noticed a few dc are doing NCS , dd was meant to be but a week and half before told her she was wait listed despite having a place confirmed in Nov. She had rung up and questioned whether her recent medical form had any impact and they said no. Her friend enrolled yesterday morning and was told to tell if she got there by 12pm they might have place but when dd got the message it was too late. She rang NCS and the lady told her that she had been taken off due to epilepsy so we are now back to I can' do anything anymore.

on a different note , I saw that a lot of your dc have preparation for A Levels. Is this just for people changing schools and is it no=science subjects. As dd has finished and not received any preparation work although starting to think what she might do for EPQ.

DD has the "not up it, down it or through it" rule, and they have to be "modest" but any kind of casual is fine. They also have the "collarbones" rule, which is frankly bonkers, they have challenged it, but school are still going with the "it's distracting" line, which is pretty Victorian if you ask me.

I must admit, I find it a bit old fashioned now, with so many schools/colleges still towing the "business smart" rule, when so many businesses, particularly the new industries, no longer have a dress code. DH (IT), probably only wears a suit one a month now, the rest of the time he wears shirts (no tie) or polo's and trousers. Several of DD1's mates have gone into grad jobs where T-shirts and jeans are the norm. It will be interesting to see if there is a general further relaxation for our DC's generation.

Anyway, soapbox over, DD2 gone back into school today to join in U6 muck up day, which is always fun, then helping at Sports Day tomorrow, keeps her busy . Prize giving is tomorrow, then we are officially free, hooray !

Oh triggers, that is bad luck about the exam.

ds sixth form (same school) is smart casual, not jeans and shirts must have collars. He has induction days next week and currently doesn't own any clothes which are suitable apart form his prom suit. I keep suggesting we go shopping, but apparently I'm nagging!
one pair of trousers and 2 polo shirts, just go and get them for next week!

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. Dh is back from Glastonbury today so we'll discuss when to tell her.

Dds open taster days went well and she has chosen her A levels which are English Lit, French, Psychology and Music. She'll drop one after a term
Dress code is fairly relaxed mustn't be able to see up it , through it or down it, plus natural hair colour.

Our 6th form dress code is simple: no belly buttons, no ripped or dirty clothing, no offensive (read racist/sexist/homophobic etc) slogans on shirts. That's it. And yes, they do all look like students.

We have some school 6th forms nearby that require workwear but dd's is a 6th form college so more casual, I can't see a dress code written down and never needed to refer to it with ds. dd is loving the freedom to dye her hair but isn't a short skirt and crop top kind of girl.

We are a little early but as dd isn't quite clear what she wants to do after college (two main paths in mind) we went for our first university open day on Saturday, she loved it but it is slightly aspirational for her (Loughborough), she would really have to knuckle down at college to get the grades. We have Prom, NCS and a couple of big performance art events before that though.

Just sent ds off on his first college introductory day - it's his 'insurance' choice, quite a bit further away from us than his first choice, and an early start so he's not in the best of moods

He has had a good, fun summer so far; no prom or anything like that but lots of parties and his first festival yesterday! Oh to be 16 again!

Fibbike - it means you should be thoughtful about if your clothes will offend others (can also be commented on if unpleasant slogan T-shirts were worn). To be honest the students dress like students - mainly jeans, trackie bottoms, trousers (with the odd skirt) and t-shirts etc. Lots of dyed hair. But on the whole they look comfortable, which to me seems a good look for study. And the teachers teach rather than comment on clothes.
A few come quite dressed up at the start of the year - but pretty soon lack of sleep leads to a fall in sartorial standards.

Now at parties (official or otherwise) they do wear short skirts and crop tops etc.

The dreaded sixth form (boys only) is a suit and the school tie. DS's current school for boys is a suit, but any tie, and summer uniform they can ditch the blazer and tie. For girls is it way more complicated, not too short, not too hugging, - at least twith a son his time we don't need to negotiate that. If DD (Year 8) stays for sixth form, then we may need to deal with the complexity then.

respectful

Blimey. Respectful to whom?

If you aren't Muslim then you can wear short skirts surely?