Y11s & Y13s: no exams, no school, no purpose

[sergeantmajor]

I thought that we'd be fine if the schools closed because our kids would be occupied revising for A Levels and GCSEs. But with no exams, they have nothing to do. And they can't go anywhere. For months.

How on earth can I help them shape out some kind of constructive life for the coming months?

Both my dds( (years 11 and 13) are really down . They both say that they feel lost. I really wish that they had postponed rather than cancelled the exams

they aren't definitely cancelled afaik, they may be postponed (we will get confirmation tomorrow). If they are cancelled, i'm not sure what they are going to do. dd (meant to sit GCSEs this year) wants to teach herself guitar, and she might start research on possible topics for her EPQ next year, but apart from that we don't know, and those 2 activities won't last her months

I agree - each evening my DS was on his computer doing revision, questions etc. Tonight he was on YouTube aimlessly saying what’s the point. He’s so down. I’m not sure what to suggest really.

I had confirmation from my sons school that his a levels will be cancelled indefinitely.

I really feel for teens in this situation :( It’s really important that they don’t lose their study skills though. How about getting a couple of text books for the subjects they want to do at A-Level or university and get a head start? They can slack off for a couple of days until they arrive!

To keep them busy, Ocado and Tesco at least are crying out for workers to get food to people at home. Ditto food banks now looking to deliver food to people’s homes. Healthy teens could have a very productive few weeks helping the most vulnerable.

DS is offering his services to anyone who needs a hand in our village. The village shop is also in dire need of volunteers but he's less keen on that option.
He will play endless hours of guitar and is keen to really get to grips with his sound recording equipment. We've encouraged him to ask for any resources that may be helpful for his A-levels, but have just heard that he's not to go in to school tomorrow due to staff shortages.
He waits in a local pub and will continue to do that as long as possible.
There's talk of a Cards Against Humanity bad parents session where any friends with a deck can play remotely - I thought this was quite enterprising TBH.
Aside from that we're going to do the Couch25k challenge (we live in the arse end of nowhere) and we also have dogs that need walking. We've already insisted that he remains in some sort of routine on weekdays at least, so no staying up till 3 in the morning and then lying in bed till lunchtime.
Even so I see it being a looong 23 weeks

If fit and healthy encourage them to apply for the supermarket jobs, volunteer and help in the community.

They are needed! It must be so hard but if they are busy it will help their mental state. Things will be put in place to save their education but it might not be as soon as they hoped. Good luck to all our youngsters

I sympathise — this is a really tough situation.

I do have one suggestion that could be worth a try if your kids have access to a computer at home, which is to learn to code. There are some excellent introductory courses on coursera.org, and if they turn out to enjoy it, the possibilities of what they can do with the skills are endless (including some very lucrative career opportunities later down the line, though I'm not suggesting this should be the focus just yet!). Perhaps counterintuitively, it can be a brilliant hobby for creative people, as it allows them to bring any fun techie ideas to life (e.g. if there's ever been some app they wish existed, or a silly game they've thought up, they could design and make it themselves). This is one course I would highly recommend for starting out: www.coursera.org/learn/learn-to-program, though there are many others available if they prefer a different teaching style/level, or would rather learn with a specific goal in mind. Coursera courses can always be accessed for free, including all the teaching materials (you get free access by selecting the "audit course" option rather than any of the paid options when enrolling on the course page, which they don't always make very obvious — I think it tends to be in smaller letters under the paid options — so just watch out for that).

Obviously this advice may not be helpful if your kids have no interest in it, but I thought it worth mentioning, because learning to code was one of the best things I ever did, from both a personal and professional fulfilment standpoint, and I wish I'd started earlier (I also got into it quite randomly, but at a much later age)!

Thanks @FiveSecondsMore - I will suggest that to DS - may be an idea - he does play a couple of musical instruments so he can do lots of practise on those too!

my son won't be 16 until the end of July so abilty to get a job or volunteer limited. He does have a paper round so hopefully that will continue for at least a while.
We will putting in place a weekly schedule including
trips to the allotment
weekend movie marathon eg Star Wars, Harry Potter, Ice Age
if its allowed daily cycle to the park, two laps and home
daily weights session ( buying some kit tomorrow)
swingball in the garden
learn to cook
find some reading for his college course
scouts have sent a list of things he can do to work towards badges
daily face time with friends
group chats with friends
board game night with me
if theres time after all that he can play on the PS4

There are plenty of free online courses via Futurelearn (part of open university) - certainly year 13s could do a few relevant to their chosen Uni course to give them a head-start and keep the study habit.

they aren't definitely cancelled afaik, they may be postponed (we will get confirmation tomorrow).

It sounded like Gav said they were definitely cancelled. That’s what my kids’ schools have said today.

@sleepismysuperpower1 do we share the same child, same plans here

I've got a Year 11 and a Year 13 who have both been told they have to keep working via the school remote learning platform. The teachers will be sending work and they will be doing assessments, essays, homework etc etc.

It's rather like having young children and having to schedule them activities all over again!
I normally wouldn't be so draconian, but I think it would be extremely easy to drift into an aimless existence without parental input.

great minds must think alike

@ScrapThatThen ^

There's so much they can do. Life isn't about exams.
Learn a language online.
Learn to cook.
Learn to clean, do washing, car maintenance etc.
Support neighbours.
Read.
Draw.
Paint.
Watch iconic films.
Learn about politics.
Write a book.
Start a diary.
Create a you tube channel.
Do chores.
Look after siblings.
Teach younger siblings.

Etc etc.

Some brilliant suggestions here, thanks.

There are a lot of urgent temporary jobs going locally (supermarkets plus catering/laundry in a huge retirement complex) but I can't really decide if that's a terrible idea - on the one hand the purpose of having a job and doing essential work for your community but on the other hand my child being out in the world at this time. None of us have underlying health issues.

Mine has been told they are all waiting for tomorrow when we should get more information on what is going to happen with grades. Depending what the plan is they have been told there may still be some work set for them in some subjects.

She will be getting some text books for the subjects she wants to do at A level and thinking about finding an online course in the subject she wanted yo do but can't fit in with her other choices.

For now, after the rollercoaster that this week has been, some much needed downtime is top of the list.

Year 11 and Year 12 DDs here. Our school is providing work online and support by email or telephone, everyday during normal school hours, from Monday onwards. Teachers (even the ones who are self-isolating, unless they’re actually ill) are still working and so are the students. My DDs are expected to ‘hand in’ their work via email, as normal, to ensure they are continuing their studies. Obviously awaiting the answer re GCSEs tomorrow, but Year 11 already told they’re still expected to complete work set, to ‘keep their skills up’. If exams totally scrapped and predicted grades being used, so no need to keep on with revision, then they’ve been told they will be getting work set online to get started on Year 12 work in their chosen A Level subjects (even if they’re moving on to a different school). I’m making sure DDs get up at a set time, get breakfast, showered, ready for the day etc at set times. Then go to their rooms to get on with work, having a break time and lunch time as normal. We’ve also drawn up a list of ‘jobs’ that, in their spare time that they would previously have been out socialising, they will help with. This includes things like cleaning the cars, inside and out, helping with gardening jobs like grass cutting and hedge trimming, tree pruning, dog walking and - a big one in our household - decluttering! We’re going to sort, photograph and write up descriptions for anything that can be sold on eBay, sort charity items, sort dump items, and get all the categories ready for when life goes back to normal (ish). I am a natural planner and list writer though so maybe that helps 😀

Nothing has been issued from DS's school about keeping on working, but I've advised him that if predicted grades are used, he should keep revising and working on the subjects he's planning to take at college for A levels. Maths can certainly go a bit rusty if he lets it slip.

I mentioned the Joe Wicks livestream exercise thing and he was interested in that.

We'll be looking at other things to do, too.

Oh for fucks sake! It is not the end of the world! People are dying!! We've been in total lockdown here for a week and life goes on. All the exams do is allow you to have huge debts and maybe a marginally better job. A year out wont hurt and maybe will do some good to the snowflakes.

If they are 16 get them to apply for the numerous jobs in the supermarkets. Most say no experience necessary and it's mostly shelf stacking etc but a few months working will really do them good.