To ask how you feel about Yr 11 being cut loose for 3 MONTHS!

[Mavisdoesnotreallyknow]

DD(16) had her last day at school on Friday. Starts Sixth Form college in Sept. That's an unprecedented three months off school!(excluding lockdown of course).

What do you/your DC think about that. What are their plans - will they thrive or get bored?

Ooh I remember that summer, I met my friends in the park most days and we’d spend hours and hours just sitting and chatting, occasionally venturing to the corner shop to buy ice creams and cold drinks. Perfect!

After all the stress of exams it’s like bliss stretching out in front of you. I think it’s amazing.

God, yes, last year must have been grim for many Yr11 and Y13.

DD was lucky enough to have a leavers' day and - if road map goes to plan - will have a prom.

I don't think that happens here in Scotland? I certainly started some higher coursework and had "activities week" before holidays and my son is doing the same this year.... mind you, our holidays start and finish earlier than England anyway...

@Ted27

I set him up a mini gym in the shed which he used most days

That sounds like an excellent idea - what did you put in it?

We already had a few hand weights, kettle bells and stretchy bands, so I just upgraded those by a few kilos

I bought him a FITT Cube from Argos. We also got a cheap, basic exercise bike. Prices for gym stuff shot up during lockdown and kit was near impossible to get at times.

I’ve just bought him a bar with weights up to 35 kilos, finally back in stock at argos. That should keep him going for a while.

He is July birthday so I also got him a new bike and he went out most days for a cycle round the park.

I'm thrilled for dd. She has worked so hard and she really deserves an amazing summer. She has an interview lined up for a part time job, she is going to start tutoring my friend's young dc and she is going to do some volunteering each week. Aside from that, she is planning on lots of long walks and picnics with her friends, sorting out her bedroom and getting herself organised for sixth form. And catching up on sleep/self-care!

She also has a prom in June, if it's able to go ahead. Fingers crossed!

I think by the end of year 11 you need to trust your DS to occupy themselves without you worry about what they are going to do. However I would recommend a part-time job. My son worked in a cafe and latrrvworked as a lifeguard.

They absolutely deserve it after the last few months.

DS is enjoying himself so far! He officially left last Friday. Although their last assessment was Weds. He's having this week off as it is half term. Then next week he is doing some decorating for me (I am paying him) after that he's got a few shifts in our friend's pub to earn a bit of extra cash. He was muttering about applying for a summer job but we are going away for 2 weeks in August so not sure that will work. Plus, they've had a bloody awful year or so. I'm happy to pay him to do odd jobs/DIY so he can enjoy the summer.

It was even worse last year when Y11 effectively left school in March. DS did not use his six months productively, I'm afraid, but then neither would I have at his age.

Oh NCS, forgot about that. One of mine did that ... wonder if it’s running this year.

NCS is running this year, but dd decided against it as it wasn't clear whether the residential element was going ahead, and she also didn't know if they would be able to do the charity fundraising bit properly. They're trying their best to offer something, but it didn't seem quite as good as what they would usually do.

I am also happy and relieved this academic year is over for them. We are relocating in August and DS will be starting at a sixth form college. He will be spending the long summer out with his girlfriend and mates, praying to god for good weather. His gf parents have asked him to go to Cornwall with them for two weeks at the end of July and then his Dad will be taking him to stay with family in Wales in August so hopefully a fun filled summer before starting A-levels in September.

My almost 16 year old has been off for 3 weeks already. She's went to the park, cleared her room, mooched about, watched copious amounts of box sets, started running again, minded her younger siblings, taken the train to the beach. Just nice and normal stuff that she's missed. I'm absolutely delighted for her. This week she's spending mainly at the cinema - cheap seats

DD has 2 more weeks after half term and then starts 6th form college in August
As far as I’m concerned she can do what the hell she wants during the break and good luck to her
She had a awful year with her MH and various national/local lockdowns followed by weeks of continuous assessment and exams to justify her allocated GCSE grades.
If she wants to spend a large part of the time sleeping or whatever then that’s fine by me.

This has always happened. I got a job and earned a load of money then went on holiday. It was very common where I lived to go to a caravan or tent in Newquay with friends.

Welcome to Ireland, 3 months off for all secondary school students here....all of them every year, also same holidays as UK for Christmas etc. I am a trained secondary school teacher now working in another area as can't even get sub work here as ppl actually like to work in teaching here , see above. I worked in the UK before as a secondary teacher and the difference in workload is immense !

That sounds great for some secondary school teachers, Ahnowcomon but a headache for lots of parents.

Kids would normally be on study leave so nothing unusual. Some will still be doing assessments in June. We are doing programme of A level lessons to give them a flavour and an activity programme.
I don’t understand how it is difficult for parents as they are 15/16 so can catch a bus/walk/ride a bike get a job etc.
It has been an unbelievably trying time for students, particularly in exam years. They were told exams cancelled then ended up with a full on assessment series over about 6 weeks.
They don’t know how they’re being graded, worried about being held against schools who had fewer/less in depth assessments. Give them a break.

My year 11 has 2 part time jobs and is looking forward to chilling out

This is what Irish children and children in the US and probably more places have every year.

I know this always happens for Y11s but it does seem more significant this year, after they have had such a disruption to GCSEs, the wierd swapping of official exams to endless assessments, and not being able to socialise until now.

I would like DS to get a part time job, for the experience and the spending money... he would like to do whatever he likes whenever he likes... meeting friends in the park with a rucksack full of cider seems quite high up his priorities. It could be a long 3 months!!!!!

It's not standard practice. Usually they would be occupied with exams until the last week of June followed by a couple of leavers events. Most are getting a whole extra month off.

My son't girlfriend's school was going to keep them in until the end of June even though they finished their non exam exams 3 weeks ago and the school doesn't have a 6th form.

They saw sense and they finished at half term. I think the kids deserve a break. She's got a waitressing job lined up.