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Year 11. Does your child have work set for the summer term?

31 replies

snoopy123456 · 12/04/2020 19:19

My sons school seem to have chucked them out of school with no word of any work/studying to do next term. My son seems quite happy with that but 6 months of nothing doesn’t sit well with me? Does anyone else have this problem?

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WombatChocolate · 16/04/2020 19:25

The school I know is offering students a chance to start 4 A Levels, with online work and lessons. I think their GCSE teachers will deliver some introductory A Level work. I'm not sure how many weeks it will run for, but I think they are using it to help decide if students are suitable for A Level study in that subject.

AuntieUrsula · 16/04/2020 14:51

DDs' school is offering 3 weeks of A-level type work in May - not quite sure what that will entail, as a lot of the kids are leaving anyway to go to different colleges. Then from half term they're off. I had hoped they might find temping/part-time work/volunteering/work experience over the summer but that's no looking so likely in the current conditions!

BellaVida · 14/04/2020 17:03

DS is back to a full timetable of ‘virtual’ lessons from Monday. The school has emailed to say that they will work to finish the GCSE curriculum until the would have gone on exam leave in May. Then they will be offered a range of A level preparation classes and other activities to choose from until the end of the summer term.

Punxsutawney · 14/04/2020 16:54

Ds's school have set no work at all. We have been told that they will be sending home some A Level bridging work after Easter. Ds is unsure if he is staying at his school for sixth form but I will encourage him to have a look at the work regardless.

VerbenaGirl · 14/04/2020 14:52

The School’s SLT are meeting over the Easter break to review the guidance and take it from there. There has been mention of preparatory work for the A Level courses they are hoping to do. I think realistically there won’t be much for them to do.

KingscoteStaff · 14/04/2020 14:45

From next Monday, DD will have normal hours of teaching on Google Classroom - A level prep / possible work on an EPQ / Core Maths for those doing Science A levels but not Maths.

They are also starting UKAT familiarisation for their potential medics.

PE department are sending out new fitness videos every three days - I am particularly enjoying the 'firm your triceps with baked bean cans' one!

snoopy123456 · 13/04/2020 15:47

This is all really helpful thank you. I haven’t used mumsnet before. What is DS and DD? We fall in to the category of 6 months of potentially doing nothing too which seems so wrong. I’m really happy for him to have one or two months of down time at some point but 6 months can’t be good for them at this age and then there is the concern that they are missing out on the experience of sitting official exams. I wonder how this will effect them in the future?

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ProggyMat · 13/04/2020 09:48

On the subject of DIY , DD has painted the bathroom and helped me with the hall, stairs and landing
It has certainly helped to lift her mood but she hasn’t reported for duty as yet so I’m wondering if the novelty has worn off Grin

RedskyAtnight · 13/04/2020 09:40

Job wise - I presume Year 11s are still "officially" in education until June so can only work a limited number of hours at the moment anyway.

None of the supermarket type jobs round here will take applicants under the age of 18 at the moment.

DS did have a summer job lined up (working in kids club) but that is now dubious as well.

DS's school sent home a letter telling them that they needed to keep engaging their brains over the next few months - this didn't have to be school work, but could be learning a new skill such as how to cook or DIY.

After the holiday I will be creating some "rules" around what DS does and insisting he does something constructive with at least part of his day.

Richlyfruited · 13/04/2020 09:04

It was articles like the one below @namechangenumber2 If PT work isn't an option for them (and I do understand the concerns) then I'm genuinely worried it might be up to 6 months of Xbox and Netflix for DS - not healthy at all Hmm

//www.google.com/amp/s/inews.co.uk/news/education/gcse-a-levels-coronavirus-supermarkets-summer-job-2532848%3famp
https

TeenPlusTwenties · 13/04/2020 07:41

I suspect there may be a difference between schools with their own 6th forms, and schools that finish in y11 (like most here in Hants.)

Oblomov20 · 13/04/2020 07:39

Ds1 had some general work set, 2 exams for mocks, and some i media coursework that he was asked to finish.

They are now off for easter now. As they should be.

I'll see what happens when they go back.

Lonecatwithkitten · 13/04/2020 07:32

The should is creating. Diploma that will relate to what the individual is going on to do next. They will be awarded at prize giving in October.

TeenPlusTwenties · 13/04/2020 07:23

Year 11?
The focus will no longer be teaching them but working out the grades to send in to the exam boards. Apart from that the focus will be shifting to y10 to ensure they stay as well prepared as possible for next year.

What your y11 can do:

Get him to do some pre-work for A levels if applicable.

If doing a science A level then whether or not doing Maths keep going at any applicable strands.

If passing Maths/English Language at the required grade might be an issue then keep going with these in case 'resits' are needed.

If doing a BTEC contact the relevant college and ask for guidance.

namechangenumber2 · 12/04/2020 23:19

What have the media been saying @Richlyfruited ? DS is hoping to get a job when/if this calms down

namechangenumber2 · 12/04/2020 23:17

DS has done nothing, and has been given nothing. We've had an email from one of the colleges he's been given a provisional place at, to say they are putting together a plan of ideas of things YR11's can do in prep for starting in September

Richlyfruited · 12/04/2020 23:04

Nothing has been set by school at all and because DS is moving onto a vocational course at college I can't see him doing anything until the lockdown/social distancing ends.

I really think he'll need to get a job but that option has been heavily criticized in the media over the last few days. Not sure what he (and other yr 11s not taking A Levels) are going to be able to do Confused

FlyingPandas · 12/04/2020 22:55

Our school will be running ‘get ready for A level’ courses online - dc can sign up for each A level subject and courses will run until the end of June. The expectation is that work will be completed if students sign up. They’re also running alternative shorter courses for those who don’t plan to go to take A levels.

No more GCSE work or assessment though.

Crookshanksthecat · 12/04/2020 21:16

We're planning on doing some prep work for Alevel.
There is no point in doing any further GSCE work as it can't possibly count towards a grade as it is not reliably their own work.

RedskyAtnight · 12/04/2020 21:02

Surely everyone is currently on holiday and it's too early to tell yet?

We had a letter from DC's school saying that Year 11 should absolutely not plan to do nothing between now and September, and suggestions that there would be some work set by school. I'm assuming we will find out what form this takes when the holidays end in a week's time.

secretskillrelationships · 12/04/2020 20:49

My son will have 2 weeks consolidating/finishing GCSE courses and then moving on to A level syllabus. Feels like it's meeting the school's emphasis on education rather than teaching to the test and will set him up well for September.

Silverhill · 12/04/2020 20:46

DD's school has not set any work since 20 March. Y11 were asked to hand in their textbooks on the last day they were in school. The implied message from the school is that they have finished Y11.

DD finished off the last bits of the GCSE courses herself as best she could (using CGP revision guides) and now plans to do some pre-reading for the A-level courses she hopes to start in September.

Pieceofpurplesky · 12/04/2020 20:44

My DS has been set A Level bits and pieces to prepare him. The school I work in does not have a sixth form, it is a feeder school for a local one. We have worked with them to set appropriate work that will link to A Levels.

@Lordfrontpaw your friend who is a tutor has obviously not read the guidelines. The 'union' has had no say - it's all come
From the government and is based on a number of things. There is a clause in the documentation about continuing work

Lordfrontpaw · 12/04/2020 20:31

I have a friend who is a tutor and he said that ‘the Union’ is saying that it’s based mocks, school work and teachers input, and possible work done over the holidays (assessments set) - but that it’s not set in stone.

It’s all a bit worrying - DS did appallingly in one mock (I thought his teacher was going to cry) and he managed to start getting decent grades just before the holidays so god alone knows what that will mean for him. Most of his teachers were saying ‘he can do it when he pulls his head out of the clouds...’

QuestionMarkNow · 12/04/2020 20:29

My ds has had some work before the hols. His friend (different school) has had nothing

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