October half term holiday before GCSE mocks?

[MrsRGosling]

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

I’m a secondary teacher, with a child in Yr 11 (actually Yr 12 since we’re in N Ireland). They have actual GCSE exams (Maths and English) at the end of November, and we are going away for a full week at half term. We’ve talked about the importance of revising little and often, and will support more targeted revision and focus throughout November, however having a complete break is also important.

Yes, exams and mocks are important, but it has been an incredibly stressful couple of years and we all need a break. Unless they have are very behind in their studies, a week’s break from revision at this stage won’t make a massive difference (and you could still do little bits of revision on holiday using apps like Quizlet).

I also really disagree with the idea that these mocks should be treated as the real thing in case the marks need to be used. It’s exactly this idea which has contributed to the stress of the last few years for too many of our young people. The mock results MAY end up being used, but the chances of exams going forward are much higher than at this time last year. Even if there was to be a repeat of last year’s arrangements, mock results from November are not going to be the only deciding factor in anyone’s grade.

We're in that situation and are going, it'll still be a few weeks till the mocks and revision done too far in advance will just be forgotten anyway. There's more to life than revision and GCSE exams - ours have got more mocks in March too so having a Feb holiday wouldn't be any better and no where in Europe is good to go to in Feb for sun.

Thanks everyone, good to get some opinions, very helpful.

We fly back 29th October and exams start 29th Nov so there is a month.

But covid does worry me, probably safer to stay home as both dc have friends in class (sit next to that have tested positive for covid, so school currently isn’t that safe, we’re now all testing daily and the dc have agreed to wear masks in class fwiw!

@MarieG10 I think the there is confusion about quarantine for under 18’s, I don’t think they need to quarantine..

inews.co.uk/news/under-18s-havent-had-covid-jabs-dont-quarantine-holidays-government-1206763

In terms of lockdown DC coped well, we’ve managed a few trips to visit friends & family but no proper R&R holiday. Selfishly I need it the most, been working non stop (NHS) and pretty exhausted, mentally drained and sadly feeling distanced from dh & dc,
So a break with friends or alone wouldn’t be ideal!

Anyway lots to think about, will see how things are the next few weeks then decide, flights can be cancelled and we haven’t booked accommodation, thanks again