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.

I would not be confident about making it back in time given the change in entry requirements for the EU I mentioned earlier.

Much as it is a change to read of someone liking a part of French culture and not the generally ignorant responses to our Gallic neighbours that is often the case.

Oh yes, I've been called the Fun Police already 🤣

No way for a gig when there are 2 exams on the Monday. Even if the journey back goes well (of which there is no guarantee) travelling is tiring.

The band may well add dates or do festivals that are yet to be announced he can wait for that.

Would he have to show ID at the London gig as I’d just take him there. I’ve taken DC to stand up gigs when recommended age was 14 when they were younger and the staff didn’t ask age.

Is ID needed for the London one? As he is so close to 16 I don't think they would question him going especially with an adult. I've been to loads of concerts where there has been a minimum.age but there have been lots of children who look obviously younger than that there.
Although a French band in France would be an amazing atmosphere

As a former secondary school teacher I'm not sure I'd be too worried - last minute revision is overrated, in my opinion. The real work has to be done in the months before. Providing your son & DH can go and return during the weekend, I wouldn't be too worried.

I'd be tempted to allow it in June, provided he works as hard as he can in the lead up. Surely he can revise while travelling.

Figure out his full timetable and figure out a revision timetable
if he can revise 2 half days on the Sunday for the Mondays exams I’d be ok with that.
we actually went to US in half term(family wedding)

And you can always use that as the carrot to make sure he does revise

I would buy the London tickets and pretend he’s 16!
can’t tell the difference nowadays and it’s not like you can ID them!

Not in a million years!

Do you work term time too? Can you not take him in November? Tbh I would go to London? He is unlikely to be id checked unless he is very young. Pick peak time arrival and don't have large bags/non allowed items. Blend into the crowd.

Why can't you take him?

Oh...and decidedly not. Mondays tend to be things like English and ideally you need a 5 in that because certain colleges won't let you take certain courses without it. And a tired student could easily drop from a 9 to a 4 too!

Actually to those saying the timetable isn't out yet - no it won't be firm but in fact it doesn't usually vary that much. And no, the OP is not looking at 2024. In 2025 GCSEs are scheduled to start on the week comm 5 May! If I read the OP right, the Monday she is talking about has biology or combined science and PE.

I don't think it's about revision, so I agree with those who say that's not a factor. GCSEs are about the work you do over two years, not two days right before the exam.

It's the journey and the risk of not getting back. The London gig - is that no U16 at all or just not unless with an adult? They may well check tbh. Can you not take a half day unpaid @changedmyname24 ? You say you work term-time -when I was a teacher that might well have been allowed tbh.

Overall, and I sound harsh here, it doesn’t sound like a once in a lifetime thing tbh. It’s not as tho he is missing a chance to compete in the Olympics or fly to the moon.

It’s a concert. By a band. Presumably one that will tour again – maybe when he is an adult and old enough to go on his own. I loved music when I was a teen but I never went to a single gig until I went to uni – bc it would have been logistically challenging. If your DH (or you) cannot realistically take a morning’s unpaid leave then don’t think it is possible for him to go.

Definitely not. Imagine travel delays etc…. Too risky

No way

London is strictly 16+ & it says they check ID. Annoyingly because tbh he looks 18, let alone 16 😏 The venue states on its website that most of its events are 16+

He doesn't want me to take him! Don't think I'm cool enough 🤣

I do agree it's not once in a lifetime necessarily. However, the band may not tour again - they are relatively small/obscure & who knows what will happen in the future.

I'd buy tickets to the London gig, but I might do a bit of googling to check if the venue ids minors if they have an adult with them. And book seated tickets (less of an issue in seats than standing for under age)

X posts..... I think for the sake of a month I might try to borrow a friend's id?

I have & they do 😏 Security apparently very strict & hostile (according to reviews).

It has to be photo ID & he has a very distinct look.

Look for someone who can take him in November.

I'd give him the choice - he goes with you in November or not at all.

His response will tell you how important this is to him.

Having said that, it doesn't solve the issue that your DH thinks the June trip is ok. I don't envy you being up against them both.

they do check id, but. If you didn’t want to bring his actual passport out in case it got lost, so just took a doctored photo. It would probably be ok, the fact he’s with a parent the fact they’ve checked all ids.

I’ve got mine in on school emails confirming their year group before.

There’s no way in a month of Sundays mine would be going away for a concert during exams and mine are massive music fans.

For a concert absolutely not.