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.

That's July.

I, too, have fallen down a rabbit hole!

No it's the 14-15th June 2025!

https://www.24h-lemans.com/en

Yes, sorry , was looking at the Classic!

You may be right...

What's in November then, fellow Marple?

Hmmm yeah I'm not sure about that one 🤔

Having just been through GCSEs it would be a no from me.

Your child is likely to be tired. For us the weekends were desperately needed for recharging and relaxing, ready for the next week.

The exam timetable is very intense and exams go on for 6 weeks, not 3. It's brutal.

Being in France you also have the risk of travel delays. With 2 exams on the Monday you don't have any leeway. Even if you were back in time that's also at least 2 exams that could be underperformed in due to tiredness.

What's the activity - ie if it's sporty is there an injury risk?

Would you be mixing with hundreds of people from all different areas? - perhaps I'm over cautious but events like that are such a mix of different germs and viruses. Normally it wouldn't bother me but a bout of Covid, d&v or something similar is not what you want mid GCSEs.

Your son is on track to do well with his exams. Don't derail it with this.

I'm sure there will be similar opportunities in the future even if he has to wait for another non exam year.

https://www.circuitpaulricard.com/en/events/ultimate-cup-series-8-to-10-november-2024

??? I have no idea really - just being nosey whilst I wait for a meeting to start 😂

Me personally, no I wouldn't. It's in another country, what if there were delays coming back,nor he's tired on the Monday. I'd say no.

Always fun! I wish there were medals for nosiness.

It's an absolute hard no from me.

My DD had exams spread over 5ish weeks and two weeks she had 8/9 papers each week, two days with 3 papers each (due to timetable clashes). You will actually only know your son's final ptimetable when the school gives it to you next spring.

Also achieving no lower than a 4 for yr 10 means a significant amount of work needs to be put in despite you thinking he is on track for 8/9s.

Also no to going abroad. All sorts of shit can happen and that's a horrid place to be in if plans go awry.

It may sound great and easy now but once in the thick of things you may feel differently. Also would you be happy with your son getting a lower grade if he could have focused that weekend and achieved a better one? It's 6 weeks out of his life to maintain focus. Also I disagree with pp about relaxing between exams. Some downtime is needed but also space for work.

Yeh I agree – go in November if it’s so important – take the hit of the day off school (and I rarely say that!) rather than risking GCSEs. Do both parents work in school so cannot take the day? Is there not another person can take him – grandparent, helpful friend, family member? Or can a parent take a day’s unpaid leave? (I see others have also made similar suggestions – or yes drive through the night and be shattered at work. If it is really that important.)

On the GCSE provo timetable there are six weeks of exams - first week starts 5 May tho admittedly that’s only if you study certain subjects (drama and German) and final week ends 20 June and includes physics, as usual. Everyone’s fave. Apols to any physicists

I see the exams in question are biology and PE. PE GCSE students often have that as a big passion going forward (I’m guessing this is a sporting event he wants to go to) – so he may well take bio or PE (or both) post-16. Even more reason not to risk it IMHO.

I should add – I do agree with having other activities during GCSEs. My DS2 kept up his sporting commitments to some extent (tho IIRC he was injured so it was limited – and obvs summer so no footy); my DD dropped some things but continued with her music – but that was a Saturday morning 10 mins down the road so hardly an issue. The problem here for me (and many) is the journey to France tbh. I recall a family moaning one year that their son would miss the maths exam on the Monday bc airport chaos of some kind or other meant their flight on the Sunday of half term was delayed. I thought then as I do now, it was a foolish decision.

Lol that others are also Marpling to find out what the event is :)

Le Mans is every year - thus is a one-off. (Or two-off). So American artist touring Europe?

Not a chance in hell.
Your child needs to stay focused and revising.

I'm interested to know why they can't make the other dates? Obviously other plans that are deemed more important than GCSE's? I personally wouldn't let my child go, how much focus will actually be on the exams before and after with this 'once in a lifetime' thing happening in the middle

My DD wouldn't dream of going away - not during exams but not for the half term or the Easter break before either!
For A levels even Christmas was deemed travel free. She's an 8/9/A star student.
I also wouldn't as the risk of missing the exams due to train or other travel issues. The tiredness. The added stress. I can't think of any event which would take priority- certainly not a wedding, funeral, sporting final whatever.

If it was an event they were participating in at a national or international level, it might be a consideration. To watch something- no.

Having just had a DS sit his GCSEs - this would be a hard no from me. He was absolutely exhausted at the end of every week. A full weekend away with two exams on the Monday is not a good idea. If anything happens either the crossing back and he misses exams - it could affect what options he has for college.

Some schools require 7s for alevel subjects.

It’s nonsense to say that GCSEs aren’t important- they are if you are ambitious! Gcse grades are v important in uni application- obviously later your actual degree and a levels become more important but they are a crucial stepping stone. Biology is very content heavy - one of the really ‘big’ exams btw.

WHO THOUGH?! We need to know 😂

I agree that GCSEs are less relevant once A levels and degree have been achieved. However, if they miss this important stepping stone then it makes the next steps harder to achieve.

I think older posters underestimate just how important GCSEs are these days.

Low grades mean that the student may not get into the post 16 centre of their choice. Many school 6th forms and 6th form colleges are pretty selective and have minimum requirements.

Also, GCSE resits are usually only available for maths and English.

I don't think this is about bragging rights. It sounds like this has hit a nerve with you.

Nah, it's not actually a once in a lifetime event, it's happening again in nov. Make it a treat for doing well in exams and take a day off.

In the nicest possible way he's not the strongest or most motivated student if he's getting those grades with tuition. No shame, not everyone can sweep the board but he needs to concentrate now. Also the turnaround is too tight.

Teach him priorities. I suspect he may actually be relieved if you put your foot down and enforce a boundary. Take the decision away from him.

Yes there's more to life than exams.

Absolutely not. There could easily be a strike, or other transport issue.
Plus the teachers say that the student needs to work harder, so why would you want to reward lack of effort?

Sometimes we have to miss stuff, and we can't do everything we want, so there's a good life lesson too.

It 's a trip to France.
And exams help pave the way to a better life.