Going away during GCSE exams

[changedmyname24]

Would you allow your DC to go away for the weekend during GCSE exams, for something they desperately want to do & may not get the chance to do again. Would be on weekend 2 of 3 weeks of exams.

Said child is very bright & got nothing below a 4 in Year 10 exams, also got 2 8s & 2 9s (taking 11 subjects). Is capable of 9s in most subjects (except about 4 of them). School report indicated areas of concern in 2 subjects re independent learning (teacher feels lack of effort).

One parent is ok with this, the other is not.

Is work term-time only for both parents? Could anyone else take him in November? If it’s very important to you as a family that he goes to this event, would your work grant unpaid leave for the day for you?

He’d been coming up to, if not in, the hardest part of the exams. Paper 2s when they have already had 3 weeks of exams, and those (maths, chem and physics (possible English lang as well).
if you want to increase the risk of your child not doing as well, then go.

He’ll be tired of exams but this is when he needs his focus.

If not, stay put and make him revise. It’s such a short period of time and there are always options to see events again, but rarely to do his GCSEs.

I really don't get what this event is that happens several times, in November and May which your child simply must go to in his GCSE year and 'may never het to go again'.

It it specific to 2025? If not, he has his whole life to go? Including year 12, when at uni, after uni, working adulthood...

He sounds a little bit like he might be a last minute Charlie- in which case he won't start revising for many of his GCSEs until they are upon him (even if he says he will!) and that weekend wil matter.

Plus, exhaustion, travel delays etc. Hard no.

To those saying go in November- that would mean missing a day of school & work. Work does not permit term time holidays & I feel very uncomfortable about taking a sick day when not sick, have never done so.

It would be a no from me, not France, no. You are entirely dependent on good weather, good industrial relations and good luck to get back in time for Mondays exams

I would go with this option rather than mid exam option. No brainer.

No I absolutely wouldn't. It's worse than taking a sick day when you're not sick IMHO (although I wouldn't do that either just seems odd not prioritise the few weeks out of your child's entire school career that they're doing exams).

We won't be going away in the easter holidays. We considered a cottage in Cornwall type holiday where child could revise but they want to be home and everything as normal so we're going with that. And realistically it would be unkind for us to go out exploring if they were revising.

Having said that I was surprised last year a friend of mine took their child to a concert mid exams so a late night and come home next day. I assume this is similar. I wouldn't do that.

But the parent who thinks it is "okay" is comfortable with potentially being stuck in France for 1-2 days and being off work then? 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

If it's a choice of risking one day missed in November, or 2 exams missed in June then it surely has to be November? And the parent who thinks it's okay to be going is the one who goes and skips work the next day and pulls a sickie.

So he can’t go then. Sometimes we have to prioritise serious things over fun. Just tell him no and don’t book the tickets.

I can't see why that trumps your child's GCSES.

Are you the parent in favour?

Is this your oldest child? Everyone underestimates how draining GCSEs are.

Well then they can't go. Can other parent not bring them?

No way if it is abroad or would be late back on a Sunday night. Too dangerous. Remember what happened 2 weeks ago with the IT issue, people missed all kind of events etc because they couldn't travel.

DD did a Scout event, it was rescheduled so often and it was the last bit of her Platinum award. But, they went Saturday veeery early and she was collected Sunday before lunch, the whole thing was 2 hours from us. So plenty of time to nap.

The teacher's concerns should be addressed now anyway, one weekend studying between exams wouldn't solve it.

For further explanation- DH is the parent who thinks he should go, in June. He would take him & cannot take term time days off work.

I am strongly against it, for all the reasons people have outlined. It is something that if he misses, will be sad, but I don't think the end of the world.

Was staying neutral at first to gauge opinion.

Will you be expecting them to revise all weekend if they stayed at home?

I would be tempted to go on the condition that they used the travel time to study.

a break may help stop burnout.

So your DH is happy to risk GCSES and his own job?

I never put down my failed AS level 🤷‍♀️ just list the ones I passed.

Always just list "10 GCSEs A*-A, 3 A-levels A,A,A,B, degree in subject 1st class" or similar.

Then you take him in November or he doesn't go.

I was on the side of saying yes, until you said it's in France and there are two exams on the Monday! Absolutely not. Not worth the risk of not being able to get back and missing two exams.

Do they work hard in school?
Are they conscientious?
Do they deserve such an extravagant treat?
Is it the sort of thing they'll have gone off by next year?
Is There a chance of missing an exam if travelling turns wonky (strikes, rsil, Chunnel, air .)
. It's all had problems...

I'd say overall no. The child probably needs a carrot not a stick but the timing is awful.

You are just going to have to be the ‘bad guy’ then and know that you are doing the right thing.

OPs dh - you are being an idiot. Teach your son that hard work matters and show him that you want him to do well.

I was a bit tongue in cheek.

And usually you’re asked for what GSCEs you have at grade four and above, on job applications and so on. It doesn’t sound like there will be any Us going on here anyway.

How do you even know the exam time yet? We didn't get our confirmed timetable until January.

That aside, going away for the weekend with two exams on the Monday is bonkers. My son did his best revision is the two days before each exam.

Not a chance. Too many variables that could cause problems.

November or nothing.

Disney dad in the making.

Hang on, your dh can’t take term time holidays himself - what about the risk of him being stuck.