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

We've got the Winchester one booked as well @AnneOfCleavage, hoping it goes ahead as it is high up DS's list of choices. We did the campus tour at half term.

Dd also used to read a lot at primary and then a bit in early secondary when she went through the Maze Runner/Twilight books but not in the last two or three years. Ds has never been much of a reader.

Thanks for the shiny new thread Monkey

DD has never been a big reader and the only time she really got into a series was when the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries came out and she gobbled through them. She actually still loves us to read to her so we still do at times especially if she's not feeling well.

Booked an open day at Sussex early Oct so we've just squeaked that in as DD has to get her application in to her school by Oct 15th. Super early and it's not because she's doing medicine, it's just what her school have requested. Have one at Winchester booked early next month so hope it still goes ahead as it was booked before last weeks' 4 week extra regulations kicked in.

So weird as parents of last years' year 12 cohort were saying how unlucky their DC were not having open days and having online interviews etc and saying how lucky we were as our DC wouldn't go through that and yet it's still happening and still will for some time. Who would have guessed we would be where we are now this time last year.

It's amazing the 18+ are getting their vaccines now so we are doing brilliantly there but I do feel for the older generations who haven't had theirs in other Countries

Well, I do know what I think, I think, “Will this disadvantage or advantage MY child?”

Thanks for new thread, Monkey.

Not sure what I think about online interviews...

Thanks for the new thread @Monkey2001.

English - its been both my DCs worst subject at GCSE. DS managed a shock 5 last year and never even considered for a moment taking it at A level.

DD (y10) is a big reader but finds the books they are set extremely tedious (having listened to the audio of Cider with Rosie with her in the car on a long trip a couple of years ago I can see where she's coming from). This summer they've got Pride and Prejudice and she's rolling her eyes again, she likes adventure and fantasy not period books. She too is not considering it for A level although it would work with her other choices. It is her worst predicted grade so fair enough. I do think its a shame though.

Blimey, how are we on another thread already? I was only gone for a few days!

Congratulations to all the music exams and others doing so well. It is also refreshing to hear from those who are not all A* students. DS's school often makes me think that him getting a B is the end of the world.

DS used to be a very strong reader up to about yr 9 or 10 and then social media/gaming/you tube took over. He is doing Eng Lit and enjoys it but something that is hugely off putting for him is having to read Chaucer, he hates it and can't actually 'read' it, he just doesn't see the relevance and wishes he could be looking at a modern text. It's nice that his school has about 25 boys that take Eng Lit (even though over 100 take maths!) I think they do need to do more to make it appeal to this younger generation. We have such a wealth of fantastic writers to choose from I am not sure why we can't update the syllabus a bit to engage students in the joy of literature. Or it might just be his school have picked the least exciting books...

I think also reading isn't done just because any more at school. Even at a young age, they read extracts and analyse tediously.(unless you like analysing like me!)

The joys of childhood listening to a teacher reading a book aloud for a calming afternoon went , sadly, with SATs etc.

I spent a whole lesson reading (and discussing) to a class the other day lack of planning!- and it was so much better than I thought it would be.

Thanks for new thread monkey!

Thanks for the new thread @Monkey2001

My two don’t read anymore either. DS1 used to love reading but hasn’t read a book in years. Both would rather be gaming.
DS1 is taking English Language A level

@Monkey2001
Thanks for the new thread.

As for English and reading....Ds1 has always loved reading. He always has a book on the go. He would have done english A level but his teacher really didn't like him for some reason. She was new at the end of year 9 and moved him down 2 sets. Then he had her for the 2 gcse years too. She predicted a 5 on all his reports. I thought it was odd as he'd been in top set the previous 2 years and was predicted higher. She told him not long before GCSEs that he'll be lucky to scrape a 5. He wanted to stay on at 6th form so was worried. Anyway...he got a 7. I think if he'd stayed in top set he may have had a better grade. But a 7 is still great. But he might have taken a different path. He always said he wishes he'd done A level english. He's now doing biology at university.

Ds2 used to read at primary school. Now he won't read unless he has to. Ds3 (year 7) really hates reading too. We have so many good books that my oldest read. But they just aren't interested. It's quite sad really, they'd rather be gaming. Ds3 (who some of you might remember we struggle with) actually has very little interest in anything, no matter how hard I try to encourage clubs, hobbies etc he just says no. He's just had end of year 7 tests and is in top quintile for STEM subjects. So he's doing well at school even if I find him difficult at home.