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Original poster

Bad idea to take week's holiday Easter before GCSEs?

23 replies

Firesidefox · 07/04/2022 11:55

I booked a week's family holiday for the Easter holidays next year, after which DS 14 will return to school to sit GCSEs.

He is bright but lazy so we are slightly worried about him doing ok in them.

The holiday is skiing so there wouldn't be much time for him to work during it, really.

Should I cancel this? I will lose a £400 deposit - a fraction of the holiday cost. I know it was stupid of me to book it in the first place but in my defence I had covid and was feeling sad and not thinking straight (and we haven't had a foreign holiday for years).

I would love advice on this as not sure what to do.

OP posts:

TeenPlusCat · 07/04/2022 12:04

I think it is OK, one clear break before the final push.
But school may put on revision sessions which he would miss.
Also if doing drama he may want to rehearse with others before a finl performance.
Plus you run the risk of a broken arm...

Your DS should be on board with it though and if not keen then you shouldn't do it. No way will he revise while there.

Is it first or second week? I think first would be better.

HarrietSchulenberg · 07/04/2022 12:08

GCSEs don't start till May so you will have a week or two before the first ones begin, although practicals will have been done before then. If you can keep your ds on track before Easter, I'd say go for it.

Fireflygal · 07/04/2022 12:08

Does he have 2 weeks at Easter? Schools really encourage the Easter period for study. Exams start early this year so the window for study is short. Not sure when Easter is next year relative to exam season. That would be a factor.

How on track is he? Does he want top grades or happy with getting by? For top grades he would be best using the full Easter period. Could you change to half term instead?

Gowithme · 07/04/2022 12:22

Download audio revision on an ipod and get him to listen to bits in the evening. We got a good GCSE history one on WW2 and a good one on Macbeth when we went on holiday before my son's mocks. You can probably get audio revision for all the Eng lit books he's studying. At least that way he is doing something. You could also take the CPG revision book on the subject he finds most difficult and get him to read a bit of that when he wakes up in the morning. I think a week off doing no revision would be a bad idea so close to his exams though.

KloppsTeeth · 07/04/2022 12:25

My year 11 is on a weeks skiing trip this week. It will do him the world of good to be away from exam stress.
I wouldn’t cancel. There are so many different ways to revise remotely these days. Flash cards are brilliant, wifi at the hotel for GCSE Bitesize, MathsGenie etc. All of which can fit around skiing etc. the activity will be good for mental health, so I wouldn’t cancel.

Kezzie200 · 07/04/2022 12:41

If he is lazy, why not try this before cancelling.

Discuss cancelling with him as he will need the time to study. If he agrees - then cancel. If he disagrees or is disappointed do a deal...he works hard from now on and then, when he gets to Easter next year, he can have a good break before he hits the stress of the exam and cramming period.

Original poster

Firesidefox · 07/04/2022 12:43

Thanks all. I am really torn. I think your idea @Kezzie200 is a really good one, actually, as he's desperate to go skiing so will be sad if we don't.

Thank you.

OP posts:

KloppsTeeth · 07/04/2022 17:03

We had a “how to help your child revise” session from school. They suggest short bursts of 20 minute sessions, perhaps for 100 minutes then making time to relax. Cramming doesn’t work for long term retention.
Get him to work on revision notes now.
For example in English Literature they are doing A Christmas Carol. Their teacher suggests making an Excel spreadsheet of quotes and examples for each theme by character. Eg redemption. If he puts work in now, it will pay off next year and enable him to access this from holiday.

TemptingTess · 07/04/2022 19:12

Yes, we got stuck on holiday over Easter and ended up kids missed nearly two weeks of school. Don't risk it!

Galaxyrippleforever · 07/04/2022 19:15

Does he do MFL? If so, he is likely to be doing speaking exams on return. Just something to think about.

maddy68 · 07/04/2022 19:17

I would go BUT on the proviso he works as well

MrsBlondie · 07/04/2022 19:20

Exams start 2,weeks after Easter term here.
I'd do first week so second week was at home revising

Tumbleweed101 · 07/04/2022 19:22

My daughter is doing exams this May. I suggested a last minute holiday deal but she wants to do the revision session they are doing over Easter holidays.

Yika · 07/04/2022 19:24

You can plan around it this far out. Help him draw up a good revision schedule and make sure he’s done covered all the material before you go, then a good healthy break skiing, then refresh / cram on return.

Clymene · 07/04/2022 19:24

I would cancel. You haven't had a foreign holiday for years like you said. You can wait another year. Book a fantastic holiday after his exams have finished - before the schools break up so not summer prices.

TracyMosby · 07/04/2022 19:24

Schools sometimes put a lot of revision on in easter holidays. If he is lazy he will benefit from these taught revision sessions of he lacks motivation to revise effectively alone. But if he still refused to do anything productive after cancelling a family holiday id be pissed. Use it as a bargaining tool.

Clymene · 07/04/2022 19:25

If he does terribly in his exams, who will you blame?

HermioneWeasley · 07/04/2022 19:28

My bright but unmotivated DS suddenly clicked around Feb half term that he needed to be doing more work and is studying 8 hours a day over Easter, and needs to.

I’d cancel or move it if you can? Maybe to Xmas?

user1471443411 · 07/04/2022 19:30

I don't think you should cancel - my dd is doing GCSEs this year and we are going on holiday at Easter, although not abroad but would have loved to. She is also bright but lazy and won't do any revision, but I'm hoping she may do a little on holiday. Like others say, she won't be sitting any actual exams for a couple of weeks after they go back (except speaking tests).
Also there are some sessions running during the first week of the Easter holidays, these could be important if your son is taking practical subjects and needs to get his coursework finished off.

SunshinePie · 07/04/2022 20:07

I’d be cancelling. GCSE’s are really important, if he doesn’t get a minimum of C in English and Maths he’s f*ed

MsTSwift · 07/04/2022 20:11

No way would I go it’s a mad idea sorry. Especially skiing. My Dd would flatly refuse but she’s very conscientious. Theyve got weeks and weeks off in the summer especially as they finish early.

Original poster

Firesidefox · 12/04/2022 20:24

I cancelled. Thanks all. £400 down the drain but worth it for peace of mind.

Thank you all who posted with advice.

OP posts:

MsTSwift · 12/04/2022 23:56

Think it’s a good call. Dd is going to revision sessions run by school during the Easter holidays. Today she went to the library with a friend and had her maths tutor. Spanish oral exam is first week back after Easter. We are definitely not in “holiday mode”.

Seems mad to go away at Easter when they twiddling their thumbs for 8 weeks after the exams.

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