Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Corona Cohort Y12 into Y13, braving the storm of the third wave

986 replies

Monkey2001 · 20/06/2021 11:24

Supportive thread for parents of Y12 students going into Y13.

Previous thread - www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/4240252-Thread-16-Corona-Cohort-Year-12-2021-Zooming-through-Summer-Term

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 23/06/2021 16:47

Yeah, sorry. I must have jinxed it.

estherfrewen · 23/06/2021 16:40

Just had University of Birmingham email to say it is cancelled for next week

icanbewhatiwant · 23/06/2021 16:19

@MirandaWest we booked a test at a test centre just over an hour away. Though it would have been ok to get ithere. Then changed it to one a little nearer using the app.

crazycrofter · 23/06/2021 16:13

@Piggywaspushed I was just wondering whether he'd 'need' the A prediction in Economics, if the other two were A? I can't think of any courses where he'd need 3 x A* predicted grades, although I might be wrong? But the principle needs to be challenged certainly, as it could cost some students places at top unis.

Dd seems reasonably happy after her Psychology and RS exams, although she didn't finish RS. She's very slow, both in thinking and writing. I'm wondering whether she'd qualify for extra time? Ds is currently being assessed for extra time, but he does have a diagnosis of ADHD.

Piggywaspushed · 23/06/2021 16:06

Bath does a strange selection of subjects. Very focused on certain things.

It is true for English that RG are best unless St Andrews found itself in the mix. Lancaster is good, Loughborough a bit dull. For English that is. Of non RG, UEA is excellent.

Piggywaspushed · 23/06/2021 16:03

There are no subject talks at Birmingham so may just be tours.

Original poster
Monkey2001 · 23/06/2021 15:52

Y7 went back on Monday, Y10 now off. Must be quiet in school with Y11 and Y13 finished, Y10 and various other bubbles isolating!

I think Birmingham will cancel unless it is all outside. Last year universities cancelled things with a days notice or less.

Congratulations on the drama Piccolo.

@MirandaWest you can change the booking with DVSA 10 times, so I booked one I really hope we won't be using, but I am not willing to pay for the apps as I object too them on principle, so I don't know whether they let you change the centre, but others here will know. I found an article saying that slots are actually released throughout the day on a Monday, so next Monday I am going to be ready with several devices from 6am!

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 23/06/2021 15:43

No idea yet crazy. Grade sheets soon. I hope so for sociology certainly.

crazycrofter · 23/06/2021 15:37

Well done to your Dd on her drama result @Alsoplayspiccolo!

crazycrofter · 23/06/2021 15:36

That’s such a shame @Nard75. Dd was supposed to do silver last year too but has moved schools.

@Piggywaspushed hope you sort out your ds’ predicted grades! Is he likely to be predicted A* in his other subjects?

Nard75 · 23/06/2021 15:35

It is usually overnight but because of COVID they were coming home Thursday and Friday evening.

Alsoplayspiccolo · 23/06/2021 15:33

Thanks, Shimy. It’s the confidence boost she needs right now.

DS did his bronze DoE expedition a couple of weeks ago. They weren’t allowed to camp, so simply did 2 walks with cooking, and it could be doubled up as the silver practice expedition too.

estherfrewen · 23/06/2021 15:31

We are having second thoughts about Birmingham open day... can’t see the sense in courting infection. DOE is outside in the fresh air but can’t see the open day will be!

Piggywaspushed · 23/06/2021 15:24

It makes me wonder how on earth Birmingham open day can go ahead.

Is the DofE overnight? That could be why. Insurance prohibitive.

Shimy · 23/06/2021 15:07

Just received message that ds's guitar exam has been moved from Friday to tomorrow morning! I hope to God he has managed to do some practise and wasn't planning on spending all of tomorrow doing it.

ealingwestmum · 23/06/2021 15:05

Oh Nard75 that is so disappointing! Yep, it grates against the so called logic (and science)...

Nard75 · 23/06/2021 14:54

DS1 just had his D of E silver expedition cancelled which was starting tomorrow as Birmingham is area of concern. He should've done it last year. It is ok to have 60,000 fans at a football match but not a group of 6 boys out walking. I have had enough now and don't think anything will get back to normal anytime soon. Blush

Shimy · 23/06/2021 14:43

Oh but you must definitely.

Piggywaspushed · 23/06/2021 14:33

Yup! Don't worry...I shall muscle flex back!

Shimy · 23/06/2021 14:31

Predicted grades shouldn't be based on a pecking order. They should be based on each student's academic performance. His bit of 'muscle flexing' could cost your ds and many other dc the university of their choice.

Piggywaspushed · 23/06/2021 14:19

He is actually really nice, to be fair, and a very good teacher but it us a bit annoying. DS is slwsys about thirdly any class pecking order.

Currently listening to an Edinburgh talk on their policy and society course. Sounds really interesting.

Shimy · 23/06/2021 14:16

@Alsoplayspiccolo Congratulations to your DD on a fab result.

@Piggywaspushed How bloody arrogant of him! I hate it when people think they hold your future in their hands and so can do what they like. I'd just love for your ds to get into Oxbridge and then go back and visit the twat.

Piggywaspushed · 23/06/2021 14:06

I think it's just that teacher. I'd be willing to bet he predicts an A* for ( insert name of teacher's pet here)

MirandaWest · 23/06/2021 14:06

DS drove me to school for his exam (and then I drove back). We saw someone from his year in a car on her own - she passed her test yesterday! Think he was a little jealous.

Have been looking at driving test cancellation websites/apps and seems you need to have booked a test before you can use them.

I presume it doesn’t need to be the centre you will hopefully use? The ones I can see are for December and nowhere near here but hopefully then something will come up sooner and here!

Original poster
Monkey2001 · 23/06/2021 13:45

@Piggywaspushed if DS is still considering Cambridge, they will accept a communication from the school saying they don't predict A* for that subject, it is more common than you might think!

OP posts: