What did your dc do in the summer between GCSEs and A-levels?

[Ducal]

DD is finishing year 10 and some of her friends already seem to have big trips lined up for the long summer after year 11. DD is already feeling some pressure to have plans, talking about getting a job or getting work experience. She has declined a European road trip/interrailing with me 🙄

DS had a school trip in July, went to a festival with friends in August. Also spent a couple of nights camping with friends. And went on our family holiday - a week in Italy.

DD did absolutely nothing apart from some day trips with me and a family holiday in the US and a lot of pre-reading her new 6th form provided for her subjects.

But as she came out of therapy for anxiety, self-harm and panic disorder and went through an ASD assessment, these weeks were absolutely necessary for all of us.

But equally some had no plans - and didn’t want any. It’s a lot just to have finished GCSEs and having some unscheduled time off is great.

sod all

They enjoyed it. Mostly sleep I think.

My DD16 has been working 4 days a week. Reading and doing summer homework set by the 6th form she’ll be starting at, going out with friends, shopping, cinema, dog walks. Endless ‘end of year’ parties…
She’ll be coming on the family holiday with us in a few weeks and I’m guessing that’ll be the last one she’s joins us on 😢

One was in 2020 so she did transition work, baking. Jobs for me.
My second dd did NCS. Worked and did a week's work experience. We had a holiday and she saw a few friends

For my DD it was Covid so nothing really. For my son he desperately tried to get a job but didn't turn 16 til end of July. He was working two weeks later though.

A week camping with friends.
A week doing a full time lifeguard course
Casual hours working at a local farm
Interspersed with socialising, family holidays and lots of sleep

French exchange trip as they missed out because of Covid and were doing the A Level

One was 2020 so sadly did very little of what she had hoped for (holiday with friends, voluntary work, paid employment). We also (dd and I) had a special break planned but we were able to do this 2 years later.

dd2 was last year. We went on a special holiday like I did with her sister. She had her prom and a DofE expedition. A youth group holiday. No work (as in paid employment) as she has a very full schedule in term time. I think she had a great summer.

Work experience - I travelled down to the west country and stayed at my aunt's house whilst working voluntarily on a diary farm for a few weeks. I then went to stay in a cottage on my own at a dressage yard where I was a stable hand for a few weeks. I also went on a family holiday and when. I was home did extra shifts in the restaurant where I usually worked at weekends only.

Work experience
Rest
Day trips
Swim/gym

Grand plans are not mandatory.

All mine did NCS
All went on our family holiday.
All worked for most of the rest of the time.