Year 11 2023-24

Dd is really struggling this week. She is halfway through her mocks and suddenly realising that the “revision” she’s been doing for the past couple of weeks has not really worked. Some of the exams have not gone well and mentally she has checked out. We had always assumed she’d get at least the 6s she’s needs for sixth form but now I’m not so sure.

Havent a clue really how to support her. I’m offering to revise with her but she says I’m just stressing her out talking about it. Any advice?

I agree with what you are all saying in theory (even though my child is looking to switch to state for sixth form), but sometimes there is another side to the story.

We had to look for a school place in Year 9. No local state schools had places so we were forced to go private. It was never our choice and now we’d like to switch back. It’s nothing to do with trying to get a contextual uni place, as we’re fully aware they take into account where GCSEs are taken.

I couldn’t agree more.

I hope that education from 5-16 gets taken into account on university applications too, not just the post 16 years.

I couldn’t agree more.

I hope that education from 5-16 gets taken into account on university applications too, not just the post 16 years.

I’m pleased to hear that state schools prioritise state educated pupils and don’t let them get pushed out by those transferring in from private schools tbh

Me too. I'm not happy with my DC's school for doing this. They revamped the sixth form and took the lower school facilities to make a massive library and common room for the 6th form I think to encourage kids from the public school to transfer for 6th form. The private school kids are always the ones that get Head Student etc. I thought universities had to look at where a child went to school for their whole career, not just 6th form, because so many parents were trying to game the system by moving to State 6th form.

We had sixth form open evening this week which was quite interesting in terms of the variety of A levels on offer. DS would like to do politics which they do offer (it’s not an option at GCSE) and economics which they don’t offer but he really wants to stay at school and not look at FE college or other sixth forms in the area.

I’m pleased to hear that state schools prioritise state educated pupils and don’t let them get pushed out by those transferring in from private schools tbh. It’s not a problem in our school as it’s a Welsh medium comprehensive and there are no Welsh medium private schools for pupils to try to transfer from. Hopefully it’s not a big surprise to those planning this move!

@MrsHamlet thank you we have parents evening in a couple of weeks so will ask for a copy and mark scheme.
Emailed couple of tutors too as DS actually asked for one. He needs a 5 in English but 6th form would consider a 4 as he thankfully does well in other subjects.

You need the paper and the markscheme and to know what he missed. "Explode" is not helpful!

Hi Teen yes we do and actually I think her plan b will be a much better fit and entry for maths is 4 minimum. They do say she would need to resist but there's isn't a deadline I can see. Her current school where she has her heart set on state 5 minimum and if not achieved resit only November to get

Thanks for your reply x

Hi can you ask to see a mock paper? Sorry if daft question. DS spoke to the teacher at lunchtime she said something about what why how paragraphs and explode! all lost on me.

https://www.my-gcsescience.com/parents/
this option also looks good

worth a try I think

We have Seneca but he’s asked for a tutor which we could start but we all ready have 2, one for English and one for maths 🙈

@tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz Do you have a plan B? If not you/she probably should. I think a 2 to a 4 is doable maybe as you have 6 months but the grade 3 band is quite wide.

No experience myself but Tassomai has got good feedback on previous y11 threads.

We use Seneca and Physics and Maths Tutor....

Have you tried Seneca? My son finds it really useful.

Anyone use this? https://www.tassomai.com/gcse-science-revision-app?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlfup1MmAgwMV1vftCh0MowY7EAAYASAAEgIIPPD_BwE

Can anyone recommend a science online platform which is good for higher revision?

DDs results came in today.

A 5, 6 couple of 4s and then 3s and a 2 in maths which was our fear. She got a 2 in Maya mock and needs a 5 to stay on for As.

Feels like it's such a huge mountain to climb and all school are wittering about in this week's newsletter is how with a positive attitude and growth mindset anything is apparently possible.

We are clinging to the unexpected silver lining of a 6 in media.

Going to have a few glasses of red this evening then focus and regroup tomorrow I think. If nothing else I know she's a bloody hate working trooper

One of my y11 said today "miss, you've already told us this".

Yes, Bob. That's because paper 2 question 3 always wants these things.

"Always miss? That's well easy then".

Yes, Bob.

Eng Lang.

Get the paper back, see where he lost marks and why.
Each question is specific what they are looking for.
Did he know what he was trying to do and just not able to do it / didn't do enough detail, or was he not trying to do the right stuff?

DS got his results just sent me a pic of them. Gutted for him he badly failed English lit and Lang got a3. Passed everything else except for Spanish even got an 8 in one subject.
Really need recommendations please for English I only scrapped a pass in Lang my worst subject.

My son has made it to the end, he's at school taking his last two mocks today (computer science and french writing) sore balls and all.

The only one he has to make up later is the full day DT exam ...so could be a lot worse.

We are absolutely knackered. Me from driving him about while he can't get the bus, plus working and helping with revision, and he seems to have some kind of brain strain as I keep finding him sat staring into space he's so worn out.

Hope everyone else is ok and those of you still with a week to go (or more) good luck, so thankful he breaks up on the 12th! 😴😴😴