Year 12 #1 - GCSEs are sooo last year!

[bpisok]

New thread to see us through to Christmas?

No CAMHS experience here, but after dealing with hospital referrals & physio for the last 12 months, I definitely agree with setting up a bit file for all the paperwork with wallets for all the pamphlets your DS is bound to be given.

I think DD likes the idea of an Oxbridge application at the mo because DBIL has shown her around his old colleges at both and it has all been jolly lovely. However, she is going to be like the majority and end up going to a perfectly decent non-Oxbridge uni doing a perfectly decent humanities degree. She won't think about an apprenticeship as she wants to leave home & run up (our) debt for a few years! There are still quite a few non Oxbridge related posts poottling along 8n here.

Back to my 8 & 9 versus A star debate from earlier. I think my concern is that people may assume that all of the IGCSE A stars must be the equivalent of a 9, because of the nature of the schools a lot of the A stars were achieved in. This potentially (unintentionally) devalues the 8s, as they almost be seen to be the equivalent of the IGCSE A. However, in 12 months we will know when our DC start to get their offers and rejections trickling through. I can still remember how stressful it was weighing up the thickness of the envelope from each university to decide if it was a straight forward rejection or contained the potential of other info selling me a place

Are the GCSE certificates out now? DS1 hasn't heard anything from his old school yet.

Stickerrocks I'd go the other way because so much publicity has been given to the assertions in educational circles that this year's IGCSEs are significantly less tough than the reformed GCSEs - so I think the independents may have done themselves a disservice by not taking the risk of the new exams. Actually it probably won't make much difference for 2020 admissions while the unis move into new territory with the numbered exams but the independents who don't shift soon will look very weak and then it may have an impact. Westminster has said it's going over to the new exams which makes it harder for other independents not to follow suit. But I definitely wouldn't think unis will assume IGCSE A*s = 9s, rather the opposite (unless someone gets a Board Award or whatever it's called these days).

Don't think there's any need for 2 threads. I mentioned Cambridge as that is dgds aspirational target. we are looking at R Russell group as well as some good units that are not Russel group like leicester and UEA. We are looking at mixes. We can't really be be certain what to pick till mock results tbh. But there's no harm in looking and no harm in having an aspirational target. This year 34 applicants from DVDs school for Oxbridge and medicine in yr 13 They are in Renaissance group who aim for Russell group too. Dgd has her first meeting in Renaissance group tomorrow for year 12. I think all should be proud of DC no matter what uni applied for. I think sometimes Oxbridge is blown up too much. DVD would not even consider oxford as she said there is no way she could fit in there. I think Bristol, Nottingham looking good and maybe Warwick. Who knows!

Dgd gets her certificates at prize giving December 17th.

DS2 hasn't received any academic awards or prizes so far in his entire school career, so I'm not expecting that to suddenly change. Luckily he doesn't seem to mind.

I think the certificates for non-prizewinners are usually available to collect from mid-December.

Not expecting prizes this year. Too much competition. She won't get geography prize this year or we would know by now but she's not bothered.

Sostenueto your DGD would be getting the geography prize if I were nominating.

abitofastate really hope today's appointment is positive......no CAMHS experience but always willing to listen.

Stickerrrocks regarding your grade 8 versus A* worry, on attending open days I have never heard any reference that they will be distinguishing between the two, what are they are interested in is that you meet the minimum requirements which are generally for the course and most importantly your A level predictions.

At DS's school we have been told that due to the low birth rate and less going to Uni they have unprecedented choice and his school has seen people taking up places at RG and other Uni with dropped 1/2 or 3 grades, so I really wouldn't worry, if she nails her A levels I think she will be fine.

If I had to give one bit of advice for when you go on Open Days, that is talk to someone in admissions for the courses your DC are interested in for eg when going round with DD we spoke to admissions for the same course with the same grades and asked what happened if you dropped a grade Uni 1 said you would be looked at again depending on what subject it was and how many places were available, as they would rather take someone who really wanted to go there than take someone from clearing. Whilst Uni 2 said they would rather go to clearing and take someone with the grades. Both Uni's courses were equally rated except Uni 1 was RG and Uni 2 wasn't.

I might be too late abitofastate but in my area initial CAMHS appointments are with a clinical psychologist who will ‘signpost’ you to an appropriate part of the service, for example, for CBT.In my area DC need to be referred within the service for a psychiatric assessment. Medication would (only?) by prescribed by a psychiatrist.

It’s quite usual for the young person to be seen on their own for part of the appointment. Hope the appointment goes/has gone well.

Thank you firstjohn but there was another pupil who was not expected to get above a 7 who absolutely blitzed it to get same grade and score as dgd. Both dgd and myself believe that student, after a massive effort, should receive the prize. Dgd has won the geography prize every year and she definitely would not mind at all if it went to the other student. As she put it ' let hihim/her have their 15 minutes of glory!

If it was me awarding the prizes I would give it to the student who consistantly came top not to one that only managed joint once........maybe your DGD is going to be getting another prize at DS's school I think they can only get the one.

Good thing I wasn’t too bothered about attending the Parents’session at the Cambridge Masterclass DS is going to tomorrow - the emails go to him and he told me there was a talk and what time it was, but neglected to mention you had to book as there is limited space. Surprise, surprise less than 24 hours to go it’s fully booked!

DS1 did go to Cambridge but he is 10 years older than DS3 so it’s quite possible some of the application process has changed. I’m wary of thinking I know when I’m out of date! But the link telling me the parents talk is full assures me all the info is on their website. I found the one Cherryburn linked to (for schools) very interesting.

I feel this may be the period when DS decides to drop a subject - Remembrance Day service x 2 on Sunday (band) followed by drama rehearsal next Sunday. So with Saturday school he was at pains to tell me that’s 21 days of consecutive school.

Good thing he likes it

Hope all went well today abitofastate and you are a bit clearer about what will happen.

Ds school did a really nice GCSE celebration afternoon where they had a variety of prizes, individual subjects, overall results, most progress, HOY so lots of dc got prizes and not just the top achievers.

Thanks everyone! I think it went ok! The people we saw were nice and seemed thorough. They are quite concerned and are going to refer DS to a consultant physiatrist who can diagnose, but they think it could be bipolar. I feel bad for him as he has already explained everything to 3 lots of people (GP, CAMHS on the phone and today) and will have to do it again with the physiatrist. Fortunately he is feeling ok at the moment.

Half the battle seems to be getting appointments in the first place, so you're doing well.

Received invitations to DD'S certificate evening today. I was really pleased to get sent 3 tickets as it has always been limited to the DC and a guest before. I suppose they assume a lot of people simply won't bother to turn up now that they've moved on.

abitofastate It’s good that your DS’s issues are being taken seriously but it must be hard to be facing a possible bipolar diagnosis.

@abitofastate I'm glad it went ok and the wheels are now in motion.

Dd has a decision to make. Her college sent out an email this week to invite all dc with a 7+ average to move into "high achievers" tutor groups. They do Oxbridge prep, critical thinking activities etc. Most of her friends got the email. Dd didn't because her average was 6.9 (dragged down by the dreaded English language).

Her tutor told her she was welcome to move across too because she was very close. She's not sure because she's the only one of her friends doing 4 A levels and she thinks it might involve more work which she'd struggle to manage. Also I think she feels a bit of a fraud because she didn't make the cut.

I think it sounds like a good opportunity but I do agree she would struggle to fit more work in.

I feel bad for him as he has already explained everything to 3 lots of people
That is hard, but really good that he is accessing support.

Pannetone if you spot a 5'7" very slim 16 year old boy tomorrow looking lost (and possibly hand-flapping), please point him in the direction of Lady Mitchell Hall (morning) or Cambridge railway station (afternoon). I am trying to have faith that he will successfully get where he needs to be.