Current Year 10 2020/2021 support thread

DD's tutor is moving after Easter. Got her report and some of the grades were 8- and in red as they've set minimum target grade of 9 which seemed a bit ridiculous as an 8- will go to a 9- which will be a 9. One subject its also 8- as they averaged her y10 test (9- with her year 9 score which was capped at 7 and she got 7).

I finally got DS to suggest 4 options - I told him the Deputy Head had said if you didn't choose you might get none of your choices which was more or less what the e-mail said. Then I got out of him he wants triple science, computing, stats / FM, geography and history with drama as reserve. So I sent it in quickly. He was very amused the form went which humanities do you want geo, history, both. Which language do you want French, Spanish, I don't want a language and they had named the SN option as thrive which he renamed as buried. He hasn't been asked to join that which he's happy about.

Apparently DS got upset in science and ripped up his assessment sad fine now at home and seems to have been fine rest of day. Not sure how we will get him through GCSEs in only 2 years time and still no EHCP or assessment.

Hope yours got on fine in the Olympiad Its I've only had grunts from both mine which I guess means they found it difficult but communication isn't a strong point here. Good they both got to sit it and DS didn't rip it up, DD said he left an hour early but he was finished so that's OK. He never writes any method down so doubt he will do well. No idea about the punting Its I never done it myself only had others do it, have always been wary as when a student the doctors had a list of all the diseases you could get if you fell in on a big board every time you walked in and when I went to the other place the guy punting did fall in and was soaked. I wish we could use canoes or rowing but can't find anywhere doing that.

Oh I’m going to Google that...

I live exams and revision. I am just waiting for him to ask for my help then I am ready.

Ds happy to be back (I think!). Several assessments taking place next week and RS GCSE 1st exam end of March )they take this GCSE in Yr 10 at his school). They'll have another one after Easter and use grades from these two tests and class work and termly tests to arrive at a centre assessed grade. It all seems to be ramping up.

Report in also and ds is hitting his targets so he's happy!

He's doing the Morrisby career Profile rest this weekend- has anyone done this?

@StColumbofNavron - absolutely! I agree - this could be another masterclass that I design and put on, especially for the current year 10's that will likely have to sit some kind of exam next year. x

ridding - what does that mean 'didn't'.

I am thinking off the back of that that exam pre/technique is pretty important and whether the school will teach/coach this in any great detail. Not over-revising, not getting stressed and not panicking and time management are such important skills if they do have to sit the exams.

@silkies - no problem at all! I'll know where to post the link when it's ready x

Parents’ Evening complete finally. DS ridding want to be present until his business studies teacher insisted and then repeatedly mentioned ‘because I teach A Level Economics’ ‘when you do Economics’ which was nice. He is on course and working hard and they were particularly impressed with his commitment to online learning. Out of three kids it was only fair that we have one who didn’t need nagging and worked really hard because he wanted to.

They all said they expect and are working on the assumption that it will be exams as usual next year.

The history teacher explained a primary source to me and DH thought it hilarious (I am a historian) - we had 5 mins and the teacher has no idea what I might know or not know.

@IThinkIMadeItWorse Ds has been on the Sen register since reception but nothing was put in place for secondary really. I presume it's because although he was missing his target grades he was still doing ok comparably. He goes to pieces in class tests so GCSEs are a worry.
I hadn't realised how full on the extra time assessment was

Hi @PringlePopIt we didn't have to wait too long about a week I think. His primary never saw any of the issues he has - the SENCO was worse than useless - so he didn't get extra time in his SATS. He said he never used any of the extra time he was offered lower down the school so didn't really want it. We are relieved he will be able to use his laptop as he really struggles with handwriting. His spelling is terrible but they said if he had the spellchecker on he would automatically loose all the marks available for spelling, punctuation and grammar so they don't recommend it unless the spelling is so bad you can't tell what word they were meaning - usually you can tell what word DS was aiming for even if he has missed by quite a long way!

@IThinkIMadeItWorse Ds school has said about rest breaks too so hopefully that would help if they decide no. Did you ds have extra time in sats? I'm not convinced he will get it as he has never been given extra times in tests since starting secondary. Did you have to wait long for a decision?

I doubt we’ll really plan anything. We will see my family if we can but otherwise my DC tend to be fiercely protective of holidays and claim they are for ‘resting’ and ‘laying about’. I’m reluctant to have to pre book and wear masks for everything. They’ve been dying to go to the football pitch and play football/basketball so that might be the extent of it. DH also hasn’t replaced the car that he randomly sold back in Jan.

Good luck in the Olympiads for your two tomorrow Silkies! Hope they enjoy the papers!

I am trying to think of things to do in the Easter hols but it's tricky. I think two families will be allowed to meet up so we are hoping to see family but they haven't got back to me about possible dates. Punting sounds fun, it's an age since we've been (but the important question of course - do you stand at the right end? Apparently they stand at the wrong end in the other place!) Has anybody else got anything fun planned? It is so weather dependent with everything outside and it just can't be predicted!

DS was assessed for extra time last term but they said he didn't qualify, school have said they can decide about rest breaks though. He will be able to use his chromebook as it is his "usual way of working" so that should be helpful. Hope your DS gets a helpful decision Pringle.

All the best for parents eve St Columbo - hope it is less frustrating that our experience!

Year 11 does seem to be a bit of a mess with different schools doing different things - why they didn't make a plan B at the beginning of the academic year is a mystery to me! Fingers crossed they will get their act together and release any adjustment guidance for the 2022 exams quickly. Must be a nightmare for teachers, I really feel for them.

We have Parents' Evening tomorrow. DS distinctly unbothered.

Ds is really enjoying being back. He had an assessment this week for the possibility of extra time. I'm not sure how long it takes to get a decision back so I'm sat with my fingers crossed.

Thanks everyone re DH. DS just had his fourth day back and seems happy to be back. DD has been in since last Tuesday and still no isolations, hoping can keep going until at least Friday's orthodontist. She is about to change tutor due to problems in other one which should be much better.

Was reading this thread and its quite worrying, hope its sorted out for ours: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/4194019-Teacher-Accessed-Grades-what-a-joke

Both have the Olympiad tomorrow. I was trying to make plans for Easter but its a minefield with possible isolations, stay local etc. I got very excited at the idea of outdoor swimming reopening, booked a lake then realised it would be about 8C with a risk of hypothermia, have booked punting and have booked a lido. Punting should be OK, lake I have put back dates to end of month and will push back again, lido I'm not sure about now as my vaccine looks like its delayed - DH has his. Really want to go out though. We've not really done anything since last summer due to house sale, lockdowns and isolations apart from work on houses.

Great news and a huge relief for you all Silkies
The news here from South Wales is that years 10-13 will be having Lateral flow testing but not until after Easter! Who on earth comes up with these policies?!
The only good thing (from a purely selfish point of view) is that we’re less likely to have to self isolate over Easter. We’re not really planning on doing much, but it’ll be really tough on the kids if they have to spend the holidays stuck in the house.

Gave up on catching up - apologies to all whose news I've missed!!! Silkie caught yours about DH, you must be very relived, and hopefully DS will settle a little more once he's back in the school routine
@Rollergirl11 DD's birthday is the 31st March and they are off school so have been suggesting that she make plans with some friends - the problem we have is the weather here is so unpredictable. We've had birthdays where we've been out in shirtsleeves and others where we've been clearing snow
Managed a whole week back in school so far - which is longer than they did in September, one maths test already and more to come next week. DD has admitted to being shattered, and the lesson with the maths test she really struggled to concentrate for the full hour
Just praying we get to Easter with no isolations and footie can start back

Oh and Dulling hope DD has a good first day back today! 👍

Excellent news for your DH Silkie, you must be so relieved! Punting sounds amazing. Here’s hoping we get some warmer weather soon.

DD is hoping for better weather as it’s her birthday on Good Friday. Luckily for her the rule of 6 in gardens comes in to play on 29th March so it means she can have some friends over to celebrate. She also is busy trying to plan a trip with mates to Westfield in the Easter hols once non-essential shops open back up again on the 12th. Fingers crossed it all goes ahead.

DD did her 1st Covid test at home last night. DS is having his 3rd and final test at school today then he will be tested at home too. We have to do them Sunday and Wednesday evenings.

I don’t think the government will make any firm plans for our cohorts exams anytime soon. I think it’s too early to know and I guess it depends on if there is any further disruption to them in the Autumn/Spring term of Year 11.

I wonder if and when they will announce any changes to the exams next year? I'm hoping sooner than later

@Silkies that's wonderful news about you dh. What a weight off your minds

Thanks both yes a huge relief. Hope everyone is having a good Mother's Day. I've just seen punting opens here from 29th March, said to DH and he said oh we can book a romantic trip for 2 of us and I'll book it on your birthday and take day off then DD announces that she is coming and to book the type she wants and says that after 3 hours she will start being horrible to me even though its a trip for my birthday but she says she can be nice for 3 hours. So DH said to go for 1.5 hours with all of us. Just hoping they stay in school until then, ends on 26th here. Not sure what weather will be like but at least its first day out since the summer really, we were doing house stuff then finally booked days out when it briefly reopened and they all had to be cancelled as DS became close contact twice and school only had 4 cases so far.

@Silkies that is such good news.

So pleased to hear about your DH result Silkies, must be a massive relief for you all. Hope you manage to get the house stuff sorted.

I think DS would be reluctant to give up any free time for optional extra classes, much as I might like him to. He found focusing in online lessons very hard and had really had enough by the end! So glad they are back in school now, Hope the return for those in Wales goes really well.

I'd really appreciate the offer on an online class though obviously mine are in y9 and y10 - I would imagine the kids would say no though DD might say yes if she was y11.

DD went back on Tuesday and DS on Friday and both glad to be back though DD having issues with tutor group so been trying to sort a solution. DS has his options so trying to get him to choose. Glad to be able to stop his online classes on Friday so I don't need to do those as long as school stays open.

Finally got DH's cancer result back and its benign so that's a big relief. DD has stayed on track during lockdown, I suspect DS fell behind this one as he was always in the bathroom or with a duvet over his head whilst I tried to read it out to him but will see. The other two he stayed on track / improved in science but he was like the grumpy part of Muttley the dog permanently with school this lockdown, growling and muttering about everything. He said he was hibernating and he was very cross schoolwork interrupted that.

Got stamp duty back from house sale as overlapped and HMRC even paid interest Just about finished all the admin from that, now just have this house to sort. Still nothing else to do atm.