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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

Year 12 - first half term DONE.

999 replies

OhYouBadBadKitten · 19/10/2016 13:25

new thread so we don't get lost. Well done to all our dc whether doing btech (or breach as autocorrect prefers to call it) or a levels. 1/6 of the way through this year. (blimey)

OP posts:
FantasyAndHope · 14/11/2016 13:51

Exam week is here! DD had an unexpected test today was supposed to be scheduled for another day so has had 3 exams today. She has 7 exams in total last one is Wednesday

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 14/11/2016 14:01

dd has her second lot next week. I think she spent quite a bit of time writing up notes this weekend. Good luck to your dd Fantasy.

Ellen, how is your ds2 doing today?

OP posts:
Icouldbeknitting · 14/11/2016 14:25

Exams? DS has had two tests which I'm assuming is to provide a "working at" level to go against targets in the performance review letter that is due this month. So far we've had nothing from college and I was joking with my husband last night that although we think he's going to college he might just be having a daily trip into town on the school bus.

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 14/11/2016 14:37

exams/tests - same thing I guess. Formal internal question based thing results of which are recorded and reported to track progress Grin

OP posts:
Icouldbeknitting · 14/11/2016 15:41

Exam - requires revision, understanding of technique and other proper preparation

Test - turn up on the day and wing it

(Based on close observation of my sample of one)

I've a fair idea of what his targets will be because they will be based on his GCSE performance but I have no idea at all of his current attainment. I know how much work he's doing at home and that's what's worrying me. DS has a long history of putting in the minimum effort necessary to meet his goals, which is fine as long as he's correctly assessed where the target is. He thinks he's doing well and at the moment I have no evidence at all to the contrary.

HesMyLobster · 14/11/2016 16:30

I asked dd if she had exams coming up.
She gave me this look Hmm
And said "no, we just have a couple of tests and assessment things over the next 2 weeks"

I think you can add her to your sample group knitting!

FantasyAndHope · 14/11/2016 17:16

DD has revised for everything but R.S her method being if she does crap maybe he might listen. She understands most of it just not much, he also decided to change the layout of the exam so they were all unprepared. Told her not to worry her english exams have gone fine. She got her certificates today

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 14/11/2016 18:37

lol Knitting! So dd is taking exams, but some of her classmates may be taking tests Grin

OP posts:
EllenJanethickerknickers · 14/11/2016 22:52

DS2 doesn't have exams or tests but has had about 6 or 7 assignments so far which go towards his diploma. No actual results yet, they're still in the process of amendments and improvements, (or so he tells me!)

No sign of any flu type symptoms after Wednesday. I'm still not sure if he had any effects from the vaccine last week or if he was just being a stroppy git!

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 15/11/2016 08:05

We have a collective name for testy thingys. Assessments!! Hooray. Thank you Lobster!

Scary Ellen. It's that old black hole thing isn't it. dd had a pag for physics. I have no idea what one of those things is - I think it must be like a gcse controlled assessment, but it seems to be pass or fail I think.

OP posts:
Icouldbeknitting · 15/11/2016 09:08

I have to go and collect his certificates at the beginning of December. In my mind that is ages away (please don't burst my bubble of denial). There's no presentation or anything, someone has to go in to school and collect an envelope.

raspberryrippleicecream · 15/11/2016 10:42

We have a celebration evening in the Cathedral. GCSE and A level together, mixed into 2 sessions. They usually, but not always, manage to get siblings into the same session so I'm hoping this will be the case for my DC, or we will have to listen to the same speeches twice.

However I would have no sympathy from DS2 if this is the case, as he will be at both anyway as he plays in Brass Group/ sings in the choir and both are performing. Nor from DS1, he also attended as part of brass group from Y 8 so it will be his 13th ceremony!

Sixth form organise a party afterwards, dress code is formal so another excuse for fancy frocks. Which DD didn't do for Prom but has agreed to do this time.

raspberryrippleicecream · 15/11/2016 10:45

And yes Knitting December is weeks a long time away!

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 15/11/2016 10:51

dds award evening isn't until January. I have no idea why they moved it from December. Its certificates and various random awards - formal dress. DD doesnt own anything remotely formal, so a shopping trip is required.

Actually, all of a sudden, I'm glad it isnt til January as we literally have no free weekends until the holidays and even then dd may not be around for much of the time. oh dear.

OP posts:
FantasyAndHope · 15/11/2016 11:07

DD has had R.S back she got a C but the other girls got C/D so she is in line with peers. Compared to her other subjects which are A's it is a drop. I can't help but think this should scream something is wrong with his teaching

FantasyAndHope · 15/11/2016 11:47

DD is very worried compared to her other subjects. I would like her to change but DD is worried about catch up et it is allowed to change at this stage but DD is the type of person who hates failing she hates getting bad grades and is an over thinker and I don't honestly know how to make her feel like she's fine. Her RS teacher said it's better to make the mistakes now rather than later and not to worry too much just to make sure she keeps on top of everything.

Needastrongone · 15/11/2016 12:25

Celebration evening here in December, where they get their exam certificates.

No target grades here. As a school they really hold off providing these until they have a good feel for what the student is actually capable of, despite what GCSE forecasts predict. They did this for GCSE too. We will get them early spring earliest. I'm ok with this, the schools A Level results are amazing.

DS isn't getting a lot of papers therefore with a grade. However, he's getting 72 on average out for 75 in C1 maths papers. Which he is pissed off with. He wants full marks Grin

A few more parties are happening and driving lessons are progressing (but my bank balance is not, they are not cheap...!)

starfleet · 15/11/2016 13:04

Good to hear about all of your DC's progression in 6th Form.

Speech Night was a couple of weeks ago so DS has collected his GCSE certificates. It's long drawn out affair and the whole school from Yr 8 to Yr 13 have to attend. Only one left to go!

He seems to be coping well at the moment and is using his supervised study plus the one free period a week to work - he also tries to do at least some homework during lunch. He isn't enamoured with one of his subject teachers as he can't seem to relate to his style of teaching very well. We have parents evening next week - I've told him he can come with me and explain his concerns to the teacher to see how they can progress...I don't sit in his lessons so wouldn't know what to say so he has to man up!

muffinmonster · 15/11/2016 13:13

Good luck to everyone who is having exams, or merely tests. I confess I don't know what assessments DS might have to do, though I know there was a Physics something-or-other a couple of weeks ago.

Equally I have no idea whether there will be a ceremony for handing out GCSE certificates. He is so uncommunicative compared to DD (who is now at uni) that I never know what's going on. Sigh.

Needastrongone · 15/11/2016 16:33

Muffin. I get very little out of DS too, believe me.

Also, we've had a letter from school, confirming that the Y12's are now allowed to study at home in study periods. So far, DS has chosen not to, preferring to stay in school with less distraction and more resources. He games too much at home.

FantasyAndHope · 15/11/2016 16:38

Had a very stressed DD on the phone I've emailed form tutor. She had a meeting at lunch that over ran meaning she was late to her afternoon exam so she was flustered and stressed and it's a teacher that hates lateness so even worse, he wouldn't let her catch up on missed time. In other news the school has placed a ban on her writing and she has to use a computer to type all notes up

Needastrongone · 15/11/2016 16:55

Is that standard procedure at your DD's school Fantasy, to be very involved in their schooling? I notice you have a lot of contact with school. I think I've emailed school one, maybe twice for BOTH DC is all the years I've been there Smile I've generally let them sort themselves out!

Not withstanding more serious issues like bullying/SEN, what do you all do actually? Maybe I am too hands off, I'm now concerned school think I don't give a shit!!

FantasyAndHope · 15/11/2016 17:00

Need
I don't email school that much but its different with DD especially as there are a lot of background issues and she boards so contact with school is essential as I don't attend parents evenings. DD has being to her form tutor to express concerns over her R.S teacher today. In general though the school has a lot of contact with parents even the slightest niggle they ring/email us about to track each childs progress and ensure their performing at their best. I am totally unsure of what to advise in regards to R.S however as DD has a passion for the subject but the teaching isn't there.

raspberryrippleicecream · 15/11/2016 17:01

I let DD get on with it, need she hates me being involved unless absolutely necessary.

I do email school frequently for DS2, but that's to request yet another music related absence

FantasyAndHope · 15/11/2016 17:02

Rasp
DD doesn't like involvement either but her form tutor had emailed me to notify me about her handwriting etc and I didn't intend in replying until DD rang.

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