Year 10 2024/2025 - come and join!

Not much homework here either. I am surprised. I am sure older sister had much more than this. Maybe it will ramp up soon.

Still not that much homework here - I’m sure I had tons more in year 10. DS is all up to date on it but still has plenty of time to play Roblox and Minecraft every day 🙈🤣

Thanks for the tip RealHousewivesOfTaunton have shared with DD.
Doesn't seem to have more homework at the moment and has been doing at least some extra maths revision.

DS is definitely shocked by the amount of homework but I don’t think he’s getting loads. He’s trying to avoid it which obviously isn’t working. I am finding physically sitting with him is difficult as I get home late and often have work over the weekend, I’ve told him he’ll have to do prep at school for an extra evening if he doesn’t start getting on top of it. He currently has prep 2 nights and art club one night, so gets home at 6 on those evenings. He does get more holidays than if he were at state so that makes up for longer days a little.

The school's starting to do their end-of-half-term tests so I'm quizzing DS on the topics they've covered. I used this website, which lets you do one quiz free every day before you have to start paying:

Anyone else's DC finding there is a lot of work to do? Lots of homework? How do you support them?

DD & I saw David Tennant & Cush Jumbo in the current West End production of Macbeth. It was incredible. Seeing the text performed by such a talented cast has really brought it to life for her.

Our understanding is Maths, Physics (Assuming they mean Triple here) and combined science.

The OFQUAL survey is to see if it should be extended beyond the 2027 cohort.

https://ofqual.citizenspace.com/public/gcse-maths-physics-and-combined-science-2025-7/consultation/subpage.2022-09-20.8715115722/

The link. There's quite a lot of information. I don't remember the triple science answer @XelaM hopefully it is explained in the link.

Some people say the formulae sheets are only for Combined science and do not apply to those doing triple science 😮 Is that right or just a rumour?

Do you have a link @MrsMcNallysMaureen? There's been a lot of chat about the formula sheets. Most think it's daft to make kids memorise formulae in the age of Google and that the focus should be on showing that they can apply them.

DD's school have asked us to complete an Ofqual survey about the formulae situation. She told me she has already completed it too in the hope that they are supplied for future students too.

@RealHousewivesOfTaunton that tie scam is genius. He will go far.

DS doesn't have predicted grades yet but his target based on progression from SATS (which he didn't sit because of COVID ) is straight 9's. I've reminded him that he actually needs to work for them, they won't just arrive because of his innate wondrousness.

They're so thoughtful, aren't they? Last year I found out that DS had a racket going where he'd sell school ties to classmates wanting to avoid a detention for losing theirs, then come to me saying he'd lost his in the changing rooms so I'd buy him replacement stock. Thanks DS. Nothing spells "I love you" better than scamming your own mother.

@RealHousewivesOfTaunton my DS got ink all over the inside of his blazer on day 3 of y9

DS isn't really into stationery. He likes dismantling his equipment though, much to my frustration! His favourite is to take his pen apart, write with the bendy tube of ink and then wash it in his blazer pocket so ink goes all over the laundry 🙄

DD is exactly the same, as am I!

Thank you. It was one of DD's favourite books when she was little. We still shout 'fetch your mother's floor cloths Maureen' whenever the opportunity presents itself.

DD is also enjoying the new stationery. She loves the idea of being organised more than the reality (and I know where she gets that from!)

Love your username by the way

@Peasinthefreezer rote learning science equations is just silly anyway, so that's good news. You can only learn them by doing questions and ultimately you will remember them anyway by the time you sit the gcses if you've done enough questions in preparation.
DD is happy with her subjects so far. She did well in a food tech test this week. A few science end of topic tests are coming up in a couple of weeks.

My daughter was so happy to hear this news today - she was just saying the past couple of weeks it was unfair they won’t be getting the equation sheets like the last few years! Let’s hope they keep them permanently but good news for our year 10s

schoolsweek.co.uk/gcses-exam-aids-to-remain-for-three-more-years/

DS has been off for a couple of days this week too. Just a cold but he was dripping snot and just not fit to go in. Yuck.

@RealHousewivesOfTaunton @MrsMcNallysMaureen @Walkingbkwrm thank you. It's just been a nightmarish week. I can't stand to think it's deliberate as my neighbours are seemingly a good bunch.

The homework really hasn't ramped up yet and DS just doesn't seem to have been given the resources or much guidance on what he should be doing!

Really sorry about the cats @MyBestFriendKenny .
There a lot of lurgy going on around here too - DS2 (in yr 8) was ill at the weekend - he was most put out to be better by Monday!
DS1 still isn’t getting very much homework - am starting to get a bit worried. Apparently suggesting any revision is “putting too much pressure on him” and “suggesting he is rubbish as it’s extra work the teacher’s don’t think he needs to do”. Argh!!!! Wish his teachers would be clearer on the need for independent study, he might listen to them!
Mind you next week he has 2 lots of NEA’s (like coursework but done in class) in history and English and he has begrudgingly done some work for those so I suppose I should count my blessings. I really hope they go ok…🤞.