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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

October half term holiday before GCSE mocks?

28 replies

MrsRGosling · 19/09/2021 05:33

Right now it looks like we can get away October half term week to somewhere warm’ish.

Eldest has GCSE mocks end of November for 2 weeks.

YABU - to stay home and not go
YANBU - to go and have a nice time

We don’t plan on going anywhere Feb half term or Easter.

Swaying towards going, be good to get some thoughts, thanks

OP posts:
Blueskythinking123 · 19/09/2021 05:49

I would go. There is an lot of revision material online and most schools have apps they can use. She can use these for revision. I wouldn't expect them to revise all day, but an hour or so a day would be achievable.

SuperSange · 19/09/2021 05:58

I don't know, I know where I work they're very concerned that exams will partly be on evidence of attainment during the year again, in which case I'd expect more revision that an hour a day on holiday. It would be a bit irresponsible given that the exams next year are a bit of an unknown quantity at the mo.

HungryHippo11 · 19/09/2021 06:00

Go. There is more to life than exams. If you go Monday to Friday then they could revise the weekends before and after.

Original poster
MrsRGosling · 19/09/2021 06:25

Thanks all, we actually have flights booked (transferred from previous cancellation) Saturday to Friday so only 6 nights. Feel guilty to go but at the same time we haven’t had a proper family break away together in over 2 years. I see both sides hence my post!

OP posts:
Vanskapl1g · 19/09/2021 06:48

I wouldn’t mocks etc are hugely important now in Covid times. They will make up a big part of her your child’s results if GCSEs are assessment based again. They may all be back now but who knows how things will pan out this year. Also a bit mean for the child being expected to sit in and revise 8 subjects whilst everybody else is our enjoying the sun. What happens if WiFi crap? Nobody needs a holiday, most of the country haven’t had one. Couldn’t you wait until next year.

LawnFever · 19/09/2021 06:51

I’d go, by that point they’re either ready for mocks or they’re not and the headspace of a relaxing holiday is what everyone needs right now.

You can suggest a bit of revision while you’re away but life’s too short and we’ve all been through enough, go on the holiday.

LawnFever · 19/09/2021 06:53

Nobody needs a holiday, most of the country haven’t had one.

You could argue nobody ever needs a holiday but I think everyone could sure as hell deserve one right now.

toomuchlaundry · 19/09/2021 06:53

How did eldest cope with lockdown, did they keep up with their schoolwork?

Vanskapl1g · 19/09/2021 06:59

But would you say that the week before GCSEs? Mocks this year ended up being pretty much the GCSEs. No guarantees it won’t happen again. No idea how this year is going to pan out. I don’t get how a parents desire for a holiday trumps a child’s future. The vast majority may deserve a holiday but won’t be having one.

Vanskapl1g · 19/09/2021 07:00

Can’t think of anything more grim than having a pool sat in front of you but you have to stay in and revise whilst everybody else goes out and has fun. Mean and more than a little selfish.

Orangejuicemarathoner · 19/09/2021 07:01

These exams should be treated as the real thing. They might end up being the basis for the final grades

LH1987 · 19/09/2021 08:12

I went away in Easter break with my parents just before my A level equiv mock exams (Ireland leaving cert).I took my text books with me and studied on a sun lounger. It was the best thing for me, I got away from friends and the stress of the situation and was able to do more prep.

I would definitely go if you can!

Geminijust · 19/09/2021 08:43

We are going away for 3 nights in October half term in the UK (it's a break postponed from earlier in the year thanks to Covid). DD will also have mocks in November too. Not told her yet, she will probably go nuts as is taking her GCSES very seriously (far too seriously IMHO and it's wrecking her mental health). I'm doing it though as we have a 2 week half term (this is during week 1) so plenty of time for revision and she can take her books if she insists, it's only 3 days, the break will do her good (she rarely leaves her room these days) plus she's not the only person in the family and it's not fair for everyone else to miss out completely.

I'm afraid there's no way I'd go for a full week abroad though, purely as I know DD would have complete meltdown and blame us for "wrecking her chances". Just not worth the stress, for everyone! However, you know your child and I'm sure it would be fine for many.

whiteroseredrose · 19/09/2021 08:43

Is it end of November for two weeks so effectively first two weeks in December? If so, I'd go. Your DD would still have 4 weeks to revise calmly.

If it is the last two weeks of November then definitely not. A PP may have revised on holiday but my very studious DS couldn't.

Slothkin · 19/09/2021 13:05

@LH1987 I went to Mauritius with my folks just before my A-level biology exams (when they still did modular exams) - studying on a sunlounger for a couple of hours with pineapple slices certainly wasn’t a hardship. It was also lovely to have my folks all chilled out and supportive as I tried to get my head round bloody biochem! I’m sure I was a fascinating dinner companion 😄

I do think it depends on the child though and particularly whether they’re going to just be revising - as in, they know where their weaknesses are, so it can be nice and focused - or if big chunks of material need to be learned after all the upheaval recently.

TeenMinusTests · 19/09/2021 13:12

Ask your eldest. Don't go if they don't want to go.
With November mocks a holiday Feb half term might be better.

RedskyThisNight · 19/09/2021 13:16

If mocks are end of November there are a few weeks between the holiday and the exams. I'd discuss it with your DC - point out that the break will do them good but it will mean they will miss out on revision time, so they will have to be disciplined about revising during term time (probably starting now!)

I don't think taking a child on holiday and expecting them to spend some time revising is particularly fair. And many children wouldn't be disciplined to do this.

RedskyThisNight · 19/09/2021 13:18

@Geminijust - why not leave your DC at home (or with family/friend) if she doesn't want to come with you? I appreciate you don't want other family members to miss out, but it's a bit mean to force her to come with her if she wants to stay at home and work.

Geminijust · 19/09/2021 16:50

RedskyThisNight it's 3 days in the UK, a month before the mocks, she has a 2 week half term, we're staying in a family members holiday home (not a caravan/hotel room) so comfortable for studying and we're not forcing her to come on every outing if she doesn't want, although a few bracing walks along the beach will be great for her wellbeing. While the exams are obviously important so is her mental health, which is currently shot to pieces. A week abroad, we probably wouldn't with DD the way she is, although may be fine for some kids, especially if the exams are some weeks away.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 19/09/2021 16:53

I wouldn’t. Primarily as it would really stress my Dd out if it was her mocks (she’s my eldest)

Also because you never know when mocks will suddenly determine gcse results!

lockdownmadnessdotcom · 19/09/2021 17:08

I'd go. I very much doubt anyone will be doing meaningful revision during the holidays except a couple of very keen students who will get a string of 9s.

She'll have time to revise when you get home. Enjoy the trip away.

And no school should only be using mock results for the actual results - they should be taking into account work done between December and whenever they have to submit grades (in the (hopefully) unlikely event of exams being cancelled again).

PheasantsNest · 19/09/2021 17:12

Absolutely no way. Our school run revision sessions during the half term.

AntiMaskersAreTwats · 19/09/2021 17:15

Nope! Completely selfish just because you fancy a holiday Hmm

PeppermintMocha · 19/09/2021 17:18

there's still a whole month after the holiday!

As long as she's been keeping up, revising as she goes, and will keep doing that throughout, then why not. If she is academically able and doesn't get stressed about exams, it should be fine.
If she's not, or is struggling, or you think she really needs the time to catch up, then that's a different story. It really depends on the pupil.

But it's worth learning to manage her revision around the rest of life, and there is lots of time in November that she could use, if she works hard not. What does she think? That's probably the most important thing

MarieG10 · 19/09/2021 17:27

I wouldn't risk it. If you catch Covid there, you are in isolation abroad. In addition, it looks like currently that under 18s are class as not double jabbed so have to isolate when returning home. See www.thetimes.co.uk/article/child-confusion-for-families-hoping-for-a-half-term-abroad-26w3ldtbn?shareToken=8357edcce5a51e95b311583ea89c5a27

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