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Further education

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Original poster

New Year 12 starters parent support thread (snappy title eh?)

999 replies

OhYouBadBadKitten · 31/08/2016 19:19

here we are.

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TheSecondOfHerName · 05/09/2016 11:07

I'm trying to keep busy today. DS1 is going to be gutted when if he fails this Maths test.

ExitPursuedBySpartacus · 05/09/2016 11:08

DD has managed just three days at Sixth Form College and is returning to the fold of her tiny independent school tomorrow.

FantasyAndHope · 05/09/2016 11:10

Oh dear Exit did she really hate it that bad? Can she not wait a bit longer and preserve?

ExitPursuedBySpartacus · 05/09/2016 11:26

She hated it with a passion. She is used to being a medium sized fish in a small pond. There she was a small fish in an ocean. There were 27 girls in her GCSE year - there are over a 1000 per year at the college. I realise she is being a bit of a drama llama and is probably playing us like an out of tune fiddle, but various circumstances meant that she knew that there was always the option of returning to her old school.

The main thing though for me was the lack of pastoral care.

All that coupled with the distance - it is 'over t'hill' from us - have sent her into a complete spin. it's a bit of foreign country over the Pennines

FantasyAndHope · 05/09/2016 11:40

Sounds a similar sized indie to my DDs exit ultimately it's where they'll be happiest hence why I've stuck to my guns and not allowed DD to move.
At least you have the reassurance she'll thrive at her old school.
Which school was the pastoral care bad at comp or indie?

ExitPursuedBySpartacus · 05/09/2016 11:50

The comprehensive.

ExitPursuedBySpartacus · 05/09/2016 11:51

I honestly thought it was time for her to venture out into the big bad world.

Clearly misjudged that one. Confused

situatedknowledge · 05/09/2016 12:14

That is a massive jump in numbers. You'd have to be made of strong stuff to take it in your stride. There is such a short time to the next lot of exams that if she isn't happy, it really isn't worth "sticking it out". We faced a different but similar situation with DD a couple of years ago when we had to relocate.Taking a deep breath and pulling her out of the wrong school was the best thing we ever did for her. She is happy and confident now, and we really can't put a price on that. Her sixth form is within a comp, but has 140 per year group. It seems to be perfect for her. We did look at a bigger and well respected college but she absolutely hated it. Time will tell. She'll be home from her first day in just over an hour, and I fully expect something of it to have been a disaster. Game face on!

MrSlant · 05/09/2016 12:17

Well she tried and it's not the end of the world because she has the back up of her old school. My condolences to your bank account Grin. I have to say I went to a boarding school, there were about the same number of girls in my year as hers, then I did a degree but in a training 'school' attached to a hospital so again similar numbers in my year. When I first went into the boys secondary school (200 per year intake) I came out a bit shell shocked and needed a stiff gin! 1000 is an awful lot of teenagers, it would scare the hell out of me now!

Anyway, I've plenty of time to fail, DS1 could be doing physics or chemistry but instead is desperately trying to play catch up at BTEC sports science and could be off that in 6 weeks if he doesn't impress the teacher leaving us one subject down before Christmas!

ExitPursuedBySpartacus · 05/09/2016 12:25

The University I went to only had about 300 per year.

The second year were going in today so that would be over 2000 in total. She said you couldn't move in the corridors.

Anyway, she is out shopping in her lunch hour for a smart outfit to return to her old school tomorrow.

She will however be saying goodbye to the prospect of a car for her 17th.

baringan · 05/09/2016 12:31

Oh exit. Slightly dreading the return of Dd1 today who is in the same situation as your dd except she really doesn't want to go back to the indie. There are around 400 in the sixth form, twice as many as her entire school last year. I really hope she can hack it as the only alternative would be the 6th form of the indie that dd2 has moved to (no room for her at the comp) which we cannot afford Sad

ExitPursuedBySpartacus · 05/09/2016 12:37

I think it was knowing that the choice was there made it harder for her. We had always said we couldn't afford sixth form, but my Dad died in April and I am due to inherit a bit of money when I sell his house. I was hoping for cruising and whale watching..........

Is it nearby branigan? If you haven't received a shed load of whining texts then fingers crossed she will be happy!

FantasyAndHope · 05/09/2016 12:38

exit
Same reasoning I won't give DD a car because of the costs boarding school brings.
I remember DDs first day at her school and she rang me in tears because she was overwhelmed by the size of the school compared to her old school which was massive

ExitPursuedBySpartacus · 05/09/2016 12:58

DD has cried everywhere I have ever left her, from nursery aged 3, school aged 4, guide camp aged 11.....

Strangely she has managed to not cry at Pony Club Camp or Leeds Fest Grin

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 05/09/2016 13:06

I think you've done the right thing Exit. .They don't have the luxury of ages of time to settle in. AS levels start in May (aqa have published their time table) It takes a strong person to say 'actually we need to change our minds on this' It's not about failure it's about being sensible.

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Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 05/09/2016 13:10

Tell you what, this getting up early malarkey is great for productivity! I've caught up on emails and work stuff. Washing is done and put away, made various appointments AND I've scrubbed out the fridge before filling it again.

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situatedknowledge · 05/09/2016 13:15

I'm quite sure that you've made the correct decision Exit. Tough though it may feel just now, she'll cope just fine without a car! Well done OYBBK on the fridge scrub. I've been unwell for a few days, and DH did the fridge clean yesterday! He also left me a lovely salad for lunch today, because I haven't eaten for a few days. He has his uses. DD will be back from her first day soon. I'm looking forward to seeing how it went, and hoping that she is still smiling as much as she was when she headed off this morning.

MrSlant · 05/09/2016 13:33

I'm trying to imagine the organisation that goes into being in charge of 2000 sixth formers and I just can't. I'm so glad I'm not a teacher.

On a side note, DS had a rocky couple of years due to lack of organisation and laziness and I met with his head of year a few times and we emailed a bit. I just emailed him to thank him and another teacher who went out of her way to help DS and cc'd in the head, now I feel like a right wally. That's ok isn't it? Just a quick thanks and make sure the head knows two of his teachers did their job well. Gah, I'm crap at this sort of thing, I feel all embarrassed for myself now.

NoHaudinMaWheest · 05/09/2016 13:34

Exit sounds like a difficult but right decision. There really isn't time to faff around in 6th form.

OYBBK that is an early start. I went with dd this morning to the gate because she wasn't sure which entrance to use on the first day. Not an early start though as they don't start until 10.45 on a Monday to allow the boarders to get back. She seemed ok. This week is partly as sort of 'freshers' week' and they are having a board games and takeaway night tonight.

FantasyAndHope · 05/09/2016 13:42

You've done the right thing Exit I am very thankful that if dd hates her subjects the school are allowing them to change providing it fits in the timetable as they have no As Exams this year. Anyway that reminds me whos DC's have As Exams and who's don't?
DD has no official exams only internal.

MrSlant · 05/09/2016 13:43

OYBBK I have done the worlds biggest mountain of laundry and now I'm all bored and I don't know what to do! Only an hour and a half before I go and get DS3, yay, can't wait to find out what year 5 is like, it's nice having one not going into the grips of exams Smile.

OhSoVintage · 05/09/2016 13:48

EXIT: My DD is going from small independent to state today for sixth form, Im really worried about how she will cope. Hopefully we will survive beyond 3 days as I can't see other options that will work at the moment.
But they have to be happy to get the best out of any decision, I would do the same if my daughter hated it. Im dreading picking her up, so want her to like it!!

OhSoVintage · 05/09/2016 13:57

MrSlant: Thats perfectly fine, Its good to keep communication going and to let them know when they get it right!

My dd is also lazy but dyspraxic and so disorganised as well. Im really hoping subjects she wants to do will help with that!

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 05/09/2016 14:02

Are you feeling better today situated? I don't think I'd want salad if I'd been unable to eat for a few days Grin

dd will be back around 5ish - early today, tomorrow it's full time, combined with a long journey, it makes for a full day. No texts since she got there, so presumably it's been going ok.

Yay for Year 5 MrSlant!

dd has AS exams in all of her subjects. I think....?

freshers week sounds fun!

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Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 05/09/2016 14:03

I am a bit bored. I'm going to dust dds room with its 6 million little ornaments, then it's on with work.

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