Year 12 - first half term DONE.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

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)

NeedaStrongOne I've written a lot of letters to school over the years but they've nearly all been for music related absence. Other than that there was the very secret line of communication over the GCSE options blocks - I was under instruction to "not make a fuss mum" but it was illegal as it didn't meet the requirements of the national curriculum. I made a huge fuss but very discretely. DS has no idea that the reissuing of the GCSE options form (twice) was in part due to me.

I have had no communication yet from college other than the forms for a trip. I rang in when he was sick and that is it. I couldn't tell you the name of his tutor or any of his teachers. I'm telling myself that this is good preparation for me for university - I've already been cut out of the loop. I do know which exam board they use for each subject, I learned my lesson with that last year.

It's easy to be hands off when there's nothing that needs to be done,

Yes, I fully agree. Easy to not be involved if there's nothing to be done. I honestly have never contacted school about issues with teachers.

The only time (for both DC actually, same teacher) was when their current working grades dropped way below target, with no prior warning other than receiving their reports. I did then get the head of department involved, as it was definitely a teaching issue. They knew this, and put their 'best' teacher in the class for Y11. DS went from working at B/C for lit/lang to A/A*. The same has happened with DD. Teacher has now left for a private school

Yes, lots of emails for equine competitions, always authorised as the team rode at some prestigious events over last year, so lots of positive promotion for the school!

I was just curious, not critical. Interesting responses and thank you.

need

I think it largely depends on each DC and other issues. DD is very independent but sometimes as a parent it is good to give the school a nudge. She sorts most things out herself however dd has being voicing her concerns about R.S for over 2 years and I think its time something is done.

I'm stuck for advice to give you for RS Fantasy, I've no suggestions at all I am afraid.

Is it time to go down an official complaints route Fantasy?

rasp
Head of academics says he gets good final results so no issue. Spoke to DD and she said she hasn't prepared for tomorrow's exam because no matter what she does It's never right, there going to ask to move the exam to Thursday as her class mates have had a heavy 2 days of exams each having 3/4 a day and DD has 3 tomorrow 4 including R.S and doesn't have a single free period on Wednesdays.

So it would seem her choices are to get on with it or change course?

Yes rasp I am looking at getting her a tutor for her Christmas holidays to catch up and learn it.

I've emailed college about a practical arrangement and a question following a letter. I think that's it. At dds old school there were a few things to talk about with one department.

If they go to uni there will be no emailing unless it's a true emergency, though if they have additional needs there must be some sort of tutor to talk to?? . I guess it's about trying to transition them now.

It's really good to talk to others actually about this :) it's easier for me to see how much letting go I need to do by reading what you all do. I know I need to step back more in knowing what dd is up to.

DS is annoyed tonight I have to sign a letter for a Maths trip next week.

it's so odd isn't it! They can make their own decisions re medical stuff - in fact parents are often excluded at this age, they can drive a car this school year and therefore end up anywhere they like. But college still wants parents signatures.

I know. It felt even more ridiculous when DS1 was 18.

DS1 grumped a lot at this age when I started making him fill in his own forms. He said later on (much later) he was glad I had.

Ds was disgusted that the drama teacher wouldn't let him go home from a performance where he was doing backstage even though he was 19.

I have mainly contacted schools about SN/ disability issues though sometimes these have had a direct effect on academics. I wish I had been more proactive about dd's Italian teaching (or lack of it) last year though. I knew it was bad but didn't realise how bad until weeks before the exam. I did contact the head of department then but it was rather too late.

I sent more emails in the first week of 6th form (subject choice mix up!) than I had over the previous 5 years of high school put together!
I haven't needed to since then though, and won't unless there's a real problem.
I completely agree with Knitting and Needs - it's very easy to be hands off when everything is going smoothly.

DD received a letter today inviting her to represent the UK at a Euroscola event at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
She's extremely excited but hoping there will be others from her school also going.
Does anybody know anything about it? I'd never heard of it, had to google!

I've not heard of it Lobster, but wow! it sounds very impressive and rather cool.

I hadn't heard of it Lobster but it looks very interesting.

DD has had results in history 2As English 3As RS C one still to mark, her form tutor queried the C too compared to other results, DD is adamanat she doesn't want to drop and I can't force her so I've booked a tutor for her holidays in December she has 4 weeks off

It sounds absolutely brilliant Lobster, what an opportunity for your DD. Anyone from school going then, did your DD say?

DS is buying and setting up a fish tank this weekend. It's pretty much the first thing in years he's initiated by himself. He reckons he understands enough about the balance of chemicals in the water for it to be successful. After a month, when it's settled, he will buy catfish. Sounds a small thing, but for DS to suggest something for himself is a big thing here. Sorry to post something so trivial, but I'm dead chuffed!

Needs It does sound like a fantastic experience. Dd did some investigating today - it sounds like school nominated a few mfl students, and so far she knows of 2 others at her school who have been offered a place. It's based on aptitude for languages, they have to take part in conferences/debates with students from all EU countries, all in French! Best of all it's subsidised by the EU so we only have to provide spending money.
A brilliant opportunity and will look good on cv/ucas applications too. I'm Very impressed with the school for getting involved in it.

That's not trivial! A fish tank is a brilliant project to develop independence, responsibility and problem solving skills. It sounds like your ds has put a lot of thought into it and will do a fantastic job

I liked the bronze catfish we had, they were more or less triangular and they always looked so industrious.

Thought I had better post as this thread seems to have become busier again.
After weeks of hearing next to nothing from the sixth form college, have received 2 letters (from same tutor) in one week. One to say how disappointed he was with a test result that was below target and then another to say how delighted her was with her excellent coursework (this is for an unreformed subject with AS levels so counts towards final grade). So it looks as if they contact you fairly quickly if dcs do something amazing so disappointing but if everything is OK, you don't hear anything. So sounds as if "no news is good news".
fantasy Sorry to hear about your dds problems with RS. Unfortunately I understand that is a subject where there is a teacher shortage so there may be difficulty recruiting a replacement. When I was involved with school governors a few years ago, found out how hard it really is for a school to deal with an inadequate teacher in the state sector (don't know if it is any easier in the independent sector).

At least your DD will have a few familiar faces that she knows the Lobster Wow to the funding too, what a brilliant opportunity.

Thank you re the tank Lobster and Knitting. They do look busy at all times don't they? The cleaners of the tank. I'm pleased with him, he seems quite enthused by it all.