Year 9 - 2022/2023 Support Thread

@Circleoffifths - yes, one of those. But very much not a done deal. She's very happy at home - and of course the funding is a tricky thing from what I understand.

We are very grateful that DD2 already has her options. It helps with this year I think --- but I know lots of people don't like a three year KS4. Also doing Sixth Form open days for older daughter - but she wants to stay put which is easier!

I think Y9 is very tricky for this reason.

I've told ds2 that whilst I appreciate he will koto be taking MFL, nor CS I expect him to still make an effort and be respectful.

some pupils behaviour absolutely tanks in Y9.

I agree that y10 can't come soon enough! :)

Hope the visit to the potential new school goes well @MackenCheese. I ended up moving schools when I was in Year 9 (many years ago!) because of a timetable clash with options I wanted to take at GCSE. It was a very positive move at the time - good opportunity for a fresh start.

@minisnowballs - that sounds very exciting for your DD2! Is it Wells? Purcell? Good luck in any case with the process and decisions.

The sooner the options process comes around the better for us. DS definitely losing interest in the subjects he knows he won’t be taking next year. I feel for the teachers to be honest trying to keep Year 9s interested in the full range of subjects.

Will have a few open days coming up soon for eldest for 6th form. Bit anxious about that as it feels as though demand definitely outstrips the number of places locally for the more popular schools. Although, to be honest, it has felt like that all the way along since nursery.

@QueenMabby This isnt chetham’s - though she is now seeing that too (because they very sensibly then suggested she see them all before deciding).

She wants to do ‘something with music’- but is not sure that something is conservatoire and then professional orchestral player. Maybe singing? At least they seemed to understand that it isn’t always obvious at 13.

quite an eyeopener for us all, anyway. We will see.

Not sure DD is quite as fast as your daughter @QueenMabby ! And she's thoroughly happy if she gets to read, so it's less of an issue.

We've had a massive curveball this week. Took DD2 to see a music specialist school for a taster day that was a little more serious than we'd realised. She liked them, they liked her (though suggested she perhaps did more than 20 minutes practice a day). It's three hours drive away and they've suggested a formal November audition for a Year 10 place.

We're still reeling from the contrast between massive london comp and rural boarding independent with music specialism. Potentially very big decisions for our 13 year old this autumn.

@QueenMabby my dd had the same problem with maths in Year 8.The teacher understood that she didn't want to draw attention to herself, so when we talked to him he agreed that he would watch for her getting a book out as a signal to give her more to do. And then he put her at the front and watched her like a hawk. She was, in the end, slightly cross that she would be doing less reading.

Your poor DD - honestly, if she's miserable I would move her. Is there a girls' comp nearby too or just a mixed one? My dd2 is at a girls' comprehensive and it feels like a healthy place to be. I wasn't sure initially - but it is right for her. But if she's been miserable for two years now might be the time to go?

Thanks guys, your replies are making me feel better. I know people would give a limb to get into the school where she is, but the reality is that her friends are unhappy too, but are prepared to grit their teeth. So I know it's not just her.

As it turns out she's come down with a v sore throat and a streaming cold from school yesterday, so we've postponed the comp visit to next week. She's excited about a possible change, just not up to it today....
Thank you all so much. Making these sorts of decisions is tough!

I feel for you.

My gut instinct would be to move her. I moved both my children at various points of their schooling and it was totally the right thing to do.

Good luck x

Can I join please? DD just started year 9 and they haven't picked their options yet. However, we´re thinking about changing schools. She´s currently at a girls grammar and v miserable since year 7. Cries herself to sleep the night before the new term starts each time😕. We´ve had many conversations with the pastoral team and we know shes is doing v well academically and there's no bullying,...but..... the atmosphere is not healthy. Going to see a very good mixed comp tomorrow (she might want to stay put afterwards lol). But I feel if we are to make a move its now or never. What do people think? I shall report back!

Well we got a message from the school yesterday to say year 9 boys are having a special assembly today about their attitude towards the girls! I asked ds about it and he said there is a small group (about 5) boys who are making sexist remarks to the girls to wind them up. Ds has rightly distanced himself. Little sods though! 😡

Lets hope the message gets through! Personally I would inform their parents.

Oh...thats strange Re: sciences 🤔

Ds2s school.do a range of options and 3 vocational qualifications.

So things like fine art, sociology, psychology, graphic design, drama...

The vocational qualifications are in child care, car maintainance and a Computing qualification.

He doesn't have to do mfl which he is very glad about

Only just caught up with everyone’s posts. Seems everyone has had a good first few weeks back. Bar the detentions for @Circleoffifths DS.

@Chevyimpala67 interesting what you’ve said about sciences. My eldest 2 did triple but youngest doesn’t enjoy sciences so wanted to do double. It used to be that double science still covered all three but just two-thirds of the content and gained 2 GCSEs. They’ve now changed so that it’s full content of two sciences. Given she doesn’t really like any of the sciences she doesn’t know which would be better to drop. I’m disappointed that it’s changed to this as I think she’d be much better off still studying all 3 but to a lesser depth. I’ve no idea what their rationale has been for changing.

Choices at our school are fairly limited. Theres nothing a bit different; it’s the basic subjects -
maths, 2x English, 3x sciences, 3x MFL, history, geography, RS, computer science, Art, Drama, DT, music, Food. They have to do maths, 2xEnglush, 2x science & 1x mfl. Then add others to make 10.

Ds1 has joined another drama group at school.
So two performances next Spring! 🙄
Not masses of homework yet 🤔 but went to a careers fair today.

Yes homework definitely ramping up! Trying to make sure he doesn’t get behind in it. He’s staying late at school for rugby club tonight, so I’ve told him no moaning that he’s too tired for homework!!

Homework ramping up, organisation NOT ramping up. Tendency to join ALL the clubs only getting worse...Plus hormones.

Not a winning combination this weekend. Hoping things will recover later this week...

How is everyone getting on? DS is busy accruing detentions at an increasing rate for not doing or half doing homework. Have asked him if he just loves spending extra time at school as that is how it seems he’s in detention so often. 🙄

Mine has just done her DofE application - I'm not too bothered - her sister did it (and Silver) and you can often use stuff you're doing anyway - so school sport and music, as well as volunteering such as Brownies (if child is a Guide) or similar. We didn't find it time-consuming except for the two expeditions.