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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu

55 replies

springisaroundthecorner · 22/02/2022 10:12

Message from school. Year 11 are leaving in 10 weeks.
What do they do for 5 months until September ??

OP posts:
WomanStanleyWoman · 22/02/2022 10:14

How is this news? Year 11 has always ended in May - certainly for the 30 years since I started secondary school - with a period of study leave before the exams, which usually end in late June.

DogsAndGin · 22/02/2022 10:16

Getting a summer job/work experience in something they’re really interested in?

Pursuing a short course/certificate?

Or how about voluntary work, such as camp counsellor, with a residential trip abroad?

MrsSkylerWhite · 22/02/2022 10:17

School’s always ended in May, after exams. What would they be going in for?

axolotlfloof · 22/02/2022 10:17

What did you do for your long summer of being 16?
I can't really remember but we all survived. This is nothing new.

Violetmo0n · 22/02/2022 10:18

I worked a couple of days a week.
Then was just out and about with friends tbh.

MrsSkylerWhite · 22/02/2022 10:18

Lots of part time jobs out there atm: good opportunity to put some savings away for the next stage of their lives, as they become more independent.

Aquamarine1029 · 22/02/2022 10:19

They should get a job.

StripyOnesie · 22/02/2022 10:19

That's normal. Happens every year. Study leave, exams and then two months off. So yes, YABU

sofakingcool · 22/02/2022 10:21

I think most get a summer job? It's usual for schools to finish year 11's early - preparing for exams etc. They've finished the curriculum!

My son was the 2020 cohort who were waved goodbye in March that year, now that was a very long summer!

LIZS · 22/02/2022 10:21

Official school leaving day is at end of June although many schools "finish" year 11 before exams start. GCSEs finish around third week of June. There are often other events like prom, sports day, work experience, Sixth form inductions etc afterwards.

sofakingcool · 22/02/2022 10:23

10 weeks time is a bit earlier than usual though I think? I thought May half term was the norm?

Have GCSE's been brought forward maybe?

Original poster
springisaroundthecorner · 22/02/2022 10:29

DC not 16 until end of June. So can't work until then

OP posts:
Susu49 · 22/02/2022 10:30

Well, they deserve a bit of time to unwind GCSE exam periods are intense and they deserve to enjoy their extended summer break.

But yes, look for a job and of course they shouldn't be slobbing out at home too much- they ought to be stepping up with chores. I wouldn't be too hard on them at first though, they do need time off.

Original poster
springisaroundthecorner · 22/02/2022 10:31

But it is a long time to fill

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 22/02/2022 10:33

DS wasn't 16 until the start of July. He finished his exams and had a nice few week's rest. Seeing his mates, playing football. Then he got a weekend job the week of his birthday.

MrsSkylerWhite · 22/02/2022 10:34

springisaroundthecorner

DC not 16 until end of June. So can't work until then“

Is that so? I thought they could work some jobs at 14?
Anyway, nothing wrong with a month of lounging after the couple of years they’ve had.

Myturnatlast · 22/02/2022 10:35

You should have been there for Y11 2020! No school from March, no exams so no home school, my DD went feral for 6 months and loved it!
And they can work when they're 15, there's just less options.

theqentity · 22/02/2022 10:35

@springisaroundthecorner

But it is a long time to fill
Buy them an Xbox and a mini fridge Grin
Sparklingbrook · 22/02/2022 10:39

There were no jobs around here until age 16, he looked. Maybe depends where you live. Seasonal work at the coast maybe?

Susu49 · 22/02/2022 10:39

I agree with sparklingbrook, I think they really need the extended period off.

I remember how intense the exams were and how welcome that extra empty time was. They're still young and need time to rest.

I also remember it being a really special summer with friends, before adult responsibilities started creeping in with a levels, college and university.

Obviously they need to pull their weight at home, but i wouldn't be looking to fill their time much. Just let them be and enjoy themselves, they'll never have the same opportunity again.

gettingolderandgrumpy · 22/02/2022 10:41

It is a long time to fill but this has been going on for decades. What did you do op when you left school ? I’m sure he’ll entertain himself probably just sleep till noon .

Original poster
springisaroundthecorner · 22/02/2022 10:43

@gettingolderandgrumpy

It is a long time to fill but this has been going on for decades. What did you do op when you left school ? I’m sure he’ll entertain himself probably just sleep till noon .
We were in school full time during exams
OP posts:
negomi90 · 22/02/2022 10:46

They shouldn't be finishing in May though, they should be in and out of school until mid/late June doing GSCEs. They just aren't in lessons anymore, finishing is misleading here.
I slept and chilled post GCSEs. I was shattered and I knew that I needed to be rested ready for A-Levels.
No job for me.

gettingolderandgrumpy · 22/02/2022 10:46

Till July ? I’m in my 40’s and I finished in may almost 30 years ago so been going on a long time.

FangsForTheMemory · 22/02/2022 10:47

I picked fruit in the garden and made cakes nearly every day. My brother went out cycling with his mates. A lot depends where you live, though.