Year 13 A-levels 2021 - general support thread?

(if they've done the work, which not all of them have)

And that's certainly no different whether you are in state or private. Several girls had HUGE meltdowns yesterday, when they "realised" they hadn't done any of the work set.

Ds1 has had nothing work wise (y13)
Ds2 (y7) was sent home ill from school yesterday.
And so it begins....

DD2 has been set a pile of work too - this is at an ordinary state 6th form. They were good through lockdown as well, to the point where the current Yr 13 are not behind where they should be in terms of completing the syllabus (if they've done the work, which not all of them have).

So had an email this morning to say first covid positive case in DS school. Luckily not in yr 13 but one younger year form group and 2 teachers sent home yesterday to isolate for 14 days.....and so it starts

We are lucky. Yes, we are an independent, so we pay for it, but some state schools have been very good too.

I think our main strength was that we were early adopters of iPads and app supported learning in classrooms. So, crucially, all IT systems already set up for remote learning, DC's already knowledgeable on IT, and of course already had all the kit. So, very easy transition from class based tech to home based.

@Baaaahhhhh your DD's school does seem to be really proactive.

@Baaaahhhhh your dd is lucky the school doing so much.
My dd is on her 3rd day sitting around doing nothing
She already changed one off her subjects

No tests for DD, they had remote exams in May, and got "working at" grades. They will get their predicted depending on how much work they have done since, where they are at with preparation for this year, several pieces of work they had to complete over the summer, and their work over the next four weeks. They really have to hit the new term at full speed.

pointythings Hi Pointy, I remember you mentioning this back on the GCSE thread. Poor girl, as if there wasn't enough to worry about this year. Hope she improves soon.

DD2 started back last week and is currently laid low with a flare up pof her fibromyalgia - we are talking being unable to walk other than to get to the loo. We haven't had a flare since April, but they do happen - Yr 13 is going to be a toughie.

Dd is currently doing some work! I agree that the fear of God has been put into them about predicted grades so they are not relying on a last-minute sprint.

ceaseanddesist - that is scary. Like every other new yr 13 and yr 13 parent, I am concerned about universities being full up with deferred students and the volume of applicants this year. Over on the student room it seems that masses of kids are taking Autumn A Levels to up their grades. Some of those have been promised a 2021 place.

I wonder if dd should ask to defer, but in normal times the top universities only accept deferral requests from geniuses!

I think the issue is the different offer that children get from schools and 6th form colleges.

My DD is doing three subjects and will get five hrs teaching for each.

Friends DC at other provisions have varying differences, some more/some less.

During lockdown there was daily work set for DD via show my homework, but no online teaching and no marking or checking work is complete and up to-date.

My DD completed all work set and more, but many of her peers haven't. They are sitting tests this week to see where they are all at.

There has been talk that they can repeat year 12 and it sounds like this will be encouraged, depending on the outcome of the tests. It sounds like a number of her friends are considering this option (I'll encourage DD to do the same if exam results are lower than expected).

Hi Everyone!

DS starts back next week.

Frankly he needs the routine!

School (state) was great over lockdown and they had virtual lessons and homework submitted marked online so DS is pretty confident they aren't behind the syllabus.

He's doing 4 A Levels and wants to read Maths at Uni.

Fingers crossed for everyone this year!

He has an induction afternoon on Thursday.

His timetable has been altered twice already.

Hi 👋
Ds1 went back this week and has been doing his ucas predicted grade exams.
He is doing history, geography and politics.
He has worked hard over the summer but
sadly his college were dire over lockdown...no online teaching at all for weeks then the geography tutor just told his class to "go through the textbook".
He is going back for 2 days and 1 day of online lessons.
We are going to get him a geography tutor I think.
Teaching doesn't start til 14th.
This cohort have been thrown under a bus imo 😡

My dd got timetable today and a completely different timetable put up online on the parents app.
It had my dd on app for plumbing instead off business studies like what a load off crap why have apps that are not tested before they are put up.
One off my kids not on the app at all.

DD had "orientation" afternoon yesterday. All went well. Saddest thing was that they have lost their 6th Form Common Room this year, which has been requisitioned for an extra classroom for the year 7's, apart from that, everything else pretty normal. Full days, full timetable, and they are currently going ahead on the presumption of full exams next year.

DS is back this week but only this week, then he's back to virtual teaching for two weeks, then one week face to face and one week virtual. He's doing history, politics and a language and will probably do something politics-related at uni (though I did suggest he trained as an electrician the other day as it may well pay more).

He is a last minute crammer, good at exams, so the uncertainty over exams and possible predicted grades etc isn't really suiting him. He just isn't the sort of person who can work well without a deadline. At the moment his predicted grades are lower than he needs for the universities and courses he has been looking at, although his personal tutor said that if he pulls his finger out now they will go up.

How is AAAA not good enough for a physics degree by the way?

Hello everyone, my dd went back yesterday and is doing maths, physics, biology and geography. She received her predicted grades AAAA and her timetable. We are now worried that if predicted grades do turn into actual grades at any point that she will miss standard offers for Physics ( which she obviously doesn't actually have just yet). It's going to be a very stressful year I think!

Morning, my ds is off for his first day today but I suspect for housekeeping rather than lessons. He is really looking forward to seeing friends but concerned about the next year.

He is doing Chemistry, Biology, Geology and is thinking of Pharmacy

Can I join please?

DD returned to 6th form yesterday, was only in an hour to pick up timetable etc. Lessons start today.

She is studying psychology, sociology and BTEC health and social care. She wants to go to uni to study nursing.

She had a positive day yesterday and is pleased with her timetable, so it's a good start.

I am worried about the year ahead tbh and so is dd. Nobody seems to know anything re next year’s exams. I hope content will be reduced or allowances made as they’ve missed so much time and I can’t see how they can get it back.

Yes please! I would love to join-my ds has just started yr 13 back today. Studying Maths, Biology and Economics-dropped psychology just before lockdown. He is worried now as wants to study economics at uni and hasn't got further maths as an A Level- or rather I am worried now! How are you all feeling about the year ahead? X