GCSE’s summer 2020 thread 5 - And then there were none..

We haven't heard from her current school or another school who provisionally have accepted her about A levels or whether she is actually accepted or not.

Like what crazycroft says DD wants to study History and Eng Lit plus Dance and each of those have their own syllabus depending on the school so we can't really start studying and so we feel in limbo. She is still doing GCSE work in those subjects just to keep her mind active on them but has dropped most of the others as doesn't need them for A level. We've recommended doing some maths every week as that is really easy to fall back in if no practice and a bit of science but French has been totally dropped.

Current school (independent) is doing A Level prep after Easter, but dd feels she doesn’t need to do it as she’s not staying! I’m trying to convince her it would be a good idea anyway!

We haven’t heard from any of her potential sixth form places. History is a tricky one as each course is different (and also different to her current school’s course, so no point following that work) but I’m assuming RS and Psychology are similar whatever board is chosen, therefore she might as well do the work her current school sets for that?

Dd is very independent at the best of times, likes to work to her own agenda and has already made her own lockdown plans, mainly involving music! Convincing her to do anything else will be difficult!

DS (private school) is doing GCSE revision and then some open book assessments at home until mid may. Will then be switching to pre a level work.

No more GCSE work from DDs current school (Independent) -although she is ticking stuff over on her own accord-and new school (Independent) is providing A level prep work after Easter holidays.

DD's independent school is switching to
A Level prep after Easter. Seminars and an EPQ like project. She's actually doing IB at another Sixth Form but will follow A Level courses in some of her IB subjects (Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Economics).

It's worked out quite well as she can have a taster of Economics before she commits to it as her IB humanities SL course.

Are these private schools still doing GCSE work?

Ours have suggested that the addition gcse weeks are in case they need to do any final assessment.

For some reason our school is doing four weeks GCSE work, then A levels. Really odd they are dragging GCSE work out for a month. I guess it takes them right up to the May deadline.

@KingscoteStaff our school has said two weeks post Easter of continuing Y11 work (Whatever that means as they’ve done next to nothing since shut down) then starting preparations for A level.

Just checking in with you guys again. Marking my place. Then I'll go back and read thread.

DD is staying at the same school, so is starting her A level subjects from next Monday. So much for study leave, frantic exams and then total sloth from June 15th...

My school hasn’t either and I’m worried that the children in these schools are going to be at a disadvantage later on

@crazycrofter I living on the hope that by August we’ll have some semblance of normality so hopefully your DD will be able to do her practice journey before making any decisions, maybe an open day might also happen if the schools go back at some point in the summer term. 🤞🏻

I think I’ll check on the school website to see if they’ve put an info up about enrolment, if not then hopefully they will email at some point.

@ProggyMat I think she knows she’ll have to decide without an induction day unfortunately. She can’t even trial run the buses at the moment as that’s a factor - hopefully that will be possible before August.

The problem is they’re such different settings - grammar vs sixth form college - and she can see pros and cons with each.

@JustHereWithMyPopcorn I think he would still need to officially enrol, but maybe that’s done in Sept? I’m sure they’ll let you know at some point?

So not having had any DCs go through a results day / 6th form enrolment, how does that work if your child is already at the school?

I just assumed that DS would rock up on the first day of term and find out his timetable. Are they meant to do something else? He has had his A level subjects accepted (obvs based on passing his exams at appropriate grades) so if the school have this info already is it a given?

@crazycrofter - it’s another layer of stress for those in a similar position!
We’re fortunate as DD is moving for sixth form and has received reassuring emails from her new school and will be receiving ‘prep work’ for her chosen A levels next term
Could your DD make her mind up without doing the induction days?

*Oscillating not isolating! I’ve obviously been using that word too much!

Yes, I’m also wondering how sixth form enrolment will work. Dd is still isolating between two options. Induction days would be helpful in making a decision but we’d kind of assumed they wouldn’t happen.

I don’t think sixth forms could cope if there wasn’t a national results day. Her third choice have said that they need to sign up on results day and it’s first come first served, which wouldn’t be fair if results didn’t come out on the same day for everyone?

I think it may end up being the original date but that is just based on hearing it will be no later than that

Reading across several threads it seems that many students wait for their results before registering for the 6th form of their choice.
This is normally done on ‘results day’.
Surely there has to be a ‘national results day’ in some format in order to facilitate this?

If schools go back in June, would year 11s be legally required to attend? Or I suppose the more pertinent question - would schools be legally obliged to provide education to year 11s?

If not, do you think sixth forms will run their induction days if they’re back up and running by then? I’m very dubious that schools will be back before Sept but there seems to be a growing opinion that they might be.

Not sure if a Results Day is a good idea. Normally teachers would be consoling pupils disappointed with their results. How's that going to work when the pupil sees the teacher as being directly responsible for it?