Y11 2025/26 The Final Stretch

DD's first exam is French speaking on 29th, although did get food tech and drama practicals completed before Easter so the timing worked out well with those. Discussed her revision timetable up until study leave with her yesterday and she doesn't seem too stressed at the moment. Long may it last.

Dd has her first art exam next week, I wish she hadn’t taken it, it’s taken far too much of her time over Easter when she should have been revising other exams. I don’t understand why the actual creative work has such a small percentage of the marks. She struggles academically, but is a very talented artist, unfortunately her book work means she’s on course for a 3-4 despite very high marks for her creative pieces. I really don’t understand why we value academic ability over creativity / artistic skill, especially for subjects like art / food tech / drama/ dance. Surely creating amazing food, or putting on an incredible performance or designing and creating a fabulous art work, should be awarded higher grades than the academic side of these subjects? I dunno, I just feel a bit despondent about our educational system.

Hello. Not joined this thread before. Son had graphics today (and tomorrow). He said he thought it had gone well so 🤞

Thanks for new thread, DS had ICT today, he’s still on Easter break, they obviously staffed the exams, but after he has gone to a friends for a sleepover, so I’ve not been able to talk to him! I got a ‘good’ on WhatsApp!

Frustrating timing @Walkingbkwrm , my eldest is just coming to the end of her treatment, must have started just before Y11 exams, it is painful the first day after an appointment, have paracetamol ready.

Aw ‘The Final Stretch’ - the thread title makes me feel quite emotional! In a good way. The finish line is in sight (even though we’re not properly over the start line).

Thanks for the new thread. Hope all the art and speaking goes well.
Here no language speaking exams but he does have a drama practical exam tomorrow and is a bit worried as it is apparently marked by a visiting examiner rather than just videoed by his teacher and submitted. Have told him that they are probably just a teacher from another school but don’t actually know if that’s true! Seemed to calm him down a bit though. I have my fingers crossed.
In other bad news he had an orthodontist appointment today and they want to replace his current brace with “train tracks” (no idea what the official name is) mid exams. Managed to persuade them into a half term appointment to give him a few days to get used to them before actual exams but bit worried that it will totally distract him from revision.

Thankyou for the new thread

Good luck to all with the speaking - DS2 isn’t doing MFL … mostly due to DS1s experience and travails

Yeh I did my first AQA French GCSE assessment today. Man there was a lot of bits of paper for the students. Worth getting them to lay it all out in order before starting the test (pretty sure that's allowable) so they are looking at the right thing!

FWIW I'm a German teacher and will be running the new style speaking exam next week..I'm probably far more nervous than the kids!!
Good luck year 11!

Hello!

Thanks for the new thread!

Good luck to all DC for art and speaking MfL exams. No art for us here but DT final
project submission is Monday so will be good to get that in.

Thanks for starting a new thread.

No art here. DS's first exam is French speaking next Wednesday and then PE practical moderation on Thursday.

Thanks for the new thread! Speaking exam on Monday here…

Hi everyone,

I hope Art went well for everyone? My DS's first is German speaking next week. Is anyone else in the same boat? 💐

hello everyone, hope art went well today. My son is tired already but ploughing on!