Y11 2025/26 The Final Stretch

So the point here is that the validity of the results is key – was the test one that can be relied on to produce trustworthy results, and one tha tests what it is supposed to.

Accurate results may follow from this but not necessarily. The validity of the testing process is key.

The language used in bio answers is very important.

Caveat: not a biologist, but I am a words person :)

This is definitely a thing. It’s called "body doubling". It really does help.

When DD was at uni and Covid happened so her second year was shot to bits and she had to do it all remotely, I was also wfh and we used to sit in the same room both working. Not particularly talking, but just a calm atmosphere of study. It really helped us both.

Right- so DS has justt had a meltdown in biology revision. He said that scientists check results to ensure results are 'accurate' and the mark scheme said 'to ensure results are valid - disregard mention of accuracy'.

He's baffled. I THINK I understand the nuance of difference but he's certainly not listening to me. Any insight would be gratefully received!!!!!

My DD loves having the cats in her room when she's revising. I think they're living fluffy purring versions of a stress ball (stroked not squeezed)💗

I often sit with DS2. Or- he sits with me. I usually MN or watch tv on mute.

I help with his English as it's not his strong point. Everything else I leave to him. He's just recently been put into Higher maths and he does seem to enjoy baffling me with the questions!

Oh the other thing I ‘help’ with is- she sometimes just gets loney revising by herself so she asks me and the dog to sit in her room with her. I read my book the dog snores and she revises. It weirdly helps her.

@GreenYarn its a minefield knowing what to do. I know I jocked up thread about doing science GCSE but this is the only subject I’m involved in, and this is for a specific reason. Basically she was borderline higher paper and was at risk of going down a set, but she hates the teacher in the lower set so at the beginning of the year we agreed the two of us would do regular science together to really boost her chances of staying up. At the last mocks she went from a predicted grade of 4/5 to a 6/6 (with her teacher saying she could get higher). So it’s paid off!

The rest of her subjects I leave her to it.

My DD is definitely not having me involved. She does not want the added stress of parental involvement. I always ask what subject she is tackling and then check in on how it’s going and make sure she’s snacked and watered and that’s it. I am confident she’s getting on with it in her own way and am hoping this independent streak will serve well for her future education journey. They are all so different I realise though.

Ah @3GoldenLamps i teared up a bit reading your post. DS1 has autism also and it’s not easy. I am sure as others have said he’ll end up with plenty of signatures though. I also think A levels is a time when many who have found school tricky to navigate can come into their own a little.

re exam boxes @GreenYarn - I’ve done “exam survival packs” for DS1 and for various nieces, nephews and godchildren over the years and the following sort of things have gone down well:

hot chocolate sachets
sweets
chocolate bar
tin of mints or tictacs
small fidget toy or squishy
drinks coaster based on a special interest or with a funny message on (ie gaming, dancing, football themed etc)
mini desk toy or science themed thing (for a science geek!)

as someone said girls are easier! - for nieces and goddaughters I’ve also included stuff like

mini scented candle
silver earrings or friendship bracelet type thing with exam good luck message on
bath bomb
lip balm or nice hand cream

Etsy are great for lots of the above bits and pieces and for nice personalised good luck cards too.

Aah that's lovely. I am sure there will be some kids who are worried also.

I can’t help with anything at all. She won’t allow it

Same here

I think it honestly depends on the child. When DS1 did them 3 years ago and now with DS2 the best thing I could do to support them is leave them alone. I have bought more snacks than usual and provided a big box of stationery and other than that left them to it. Any sign of me attempting to help if making it in to a 'thing' is just counter productive.

Hi everyone!

I hope you don't mind me joining in the madness of the upcoming GCSEs!

I would really love to support DS and maybe make him up a GCSE/exam care package.

Does anyone have any suggestions what to put in it for boys? I think it's slightly easier for girls!

Also does anyone have any tips on how to cope or manage over the next 6-8 weeks?

Those who are doing it a second, third or even fourth time round.. what worked best for yourselves or your children?

@3GoldenLamps - DS2 has shirt signing next Friday too .. I’m sure they will all sign everyone within reach - DS1 has signatures on his I don’t recognise at all and from the pictures the school circulated it certainly looked that way . Sure it will be fine . It wouldn’t really have occurred to me but I will tell DS2 to make sure no one is left out in his school at least

It’s all starting to feel very real now!! I’m feeling so nervous but will need to hold it all together. Like someone said up thread it feels worse than doing it ourselves!!

Dd is having the afternoon today to meet friends in the park and jazz up their shirts ready for Friday! I can’t believe this is the last official day of y11 before study leave!! @3GoldenLampsim sure on the day everyone will want to sign everyone’s!!

My DS couldn’t care less about the prom, I think he is intending to go but don’t know. We are then planning on going away the following day. Assuming by then the exams have in fact finished and contingency is not needed.

today has been a mixed bag. DS was swimming in the regional champs but did an hour of maths before going, an hour of English in the car, and 30 mins of history poolside. His coach thought the poolside part was funny! He’s planning on a couple more hours this evening and then we go again tomorrow.

Ahh @3GoldenLamps that's so sad :( but actually as others say I am sure plenty will sign it. Can you tip off his form tutor or similar to see if they can make sure he gets a few signatures – I know I would have gladly done that in a subtle way.

@Stowickthevast German A level for the win! It’s the best (assuming you can find a setting that is offering it). Happy to advise

I know. I'm telling him that people will be excited and there will be alot of adrenaline going around and he will definitely have his signed.

His one and only friend isn't doing A-levels. We are worried for him next year tbh. Even a couple of his teachers have made a point of messaging me and saying they'll keep an eye on him next year. His school is the best. ❤

That's tugging on my heartstrings @3GoldenLamps. I remember when we had our last day and went round signing shirts and leavers books we all just signed everyone's, whether we knew them well or not.

Our post GCSE celebration is to go to Australia as soon as the contingency day is out of the way. DH and DS2 will have a couple of weeks together and then they will join us. They both have a shared hobby they love so they will be doing that at the weekends. We will be seeing my parents and hopefully doing a road trip- fuel crisis dependent.

They are doing the shirt signing day next friday and poor DS is terrified no-one will want to sign his shirt as he doesn't really have any friends and is seen as a little weird by some in his class. (He has quite anxiety and autism and struggles socially). It's been really weighing on him and he mentions it several times a day 'No-one is going to sign my shirt'.

DS's school doesn't have a prom I don't think. Most seem to stay on for A level so there's no big 'end of Y11' celebration.

I was a super diligent GCSE student and revised religiously: 9-12pm and 2-5pm every weekend day, 7-9pm every week night. DS is nowhere near as diligent 😂 but then is far more naturally academic than I was. I can't say I know any of the current GCSE content in all honesty, I don't need to actually help him learn anything - it's just about keeping him on track, trying to stop him procrastinating and providing the snacks!

I'm definitely on for a post exam celebration though. I find it far more stressful parenting a child doing GCSEs than revising and doing GCSEs myself. (Though not as bad as supporting eldest with ASD/ADHD and mental health challenges through his uni course which honestly nearly killed me, DS2 is a breeze in comparison).

First written exam for DS next week - German writing and listening.