Year 12 #1 - GCSEs are sooo last year!

[bpisok]

New thread to see us through to Christmas?

sorry cross post with whistl - need to type faster

Thanks again all.

It’s exactly that Whistl, her health is deteriorating as a result of the stress, pressure and demanding days. As much as she adores her subjects (not sciences, or maths), two of them are hugely essay based and her severe fatigue and pain are causing a distinct decline in cognitive function.

Repeating year 12 may be an option, but it would be at a different educational establishment for reasons I won’t go into here.

The three month break after GCSEs saw a remission in symptoms and overall well-being. It is clear that full time work, be it educational or employment, is not something she can currently manage without suffering health wise.

Our initial plans were for her to achieve the completion of A levels, then take time out to explore other options as uni isn’t for her right now.

Those plans now need to be expedited with the distinct possibility that A level completion is unlikely to happen, mainly because she’s not well enough, but also for other reasons.

It is clear that full time work, be it educational or employment, is not something she can currently manage without suffering health wise.

I live in an area where it is not usual to stay on at school, indeed most schools only go up to 16 and there is a general ethos of exploring various pathways at 16. I think it could definately be worth exploring what we might term as part time college. In terms of satisfying the requirement to be in education or training then this equates to 18 hours per week including registration and tutorial periods. My daughter's school deems 2 A levels to be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of child benefit. So initially could your daughter drop an A level as there is a clear correlation between her heatlth and the hours she has to be in school?

That’s exactly the kind of thing we’re pondering Alexander. And where to go for clarification!

I need someone like the person Whistl mentioned!

that's helpful a1ways, it sounds like reducing the current load would be beneficial too. Talking to other schools/colleges if just fro advice or knowledge of other options might be beneficial

TheFirstOHN if your DS2 has not read it already, then the Gödel, Escher, Bach book may be right up his street!

I think my dad owns a copy, so I'll ask him. I read it many years ago, and did find it interesting, although a fair amount of it went over my head. If my dad does have a copy, I'll keep it in reserve for DS2, as he is feeling quite overwhelmed at the moment (4 A-levels, preparing for G8 clarinet, 3 orchestras, choir, helping at D&D club, helping in Y10 Maths lessons, IsaacPhysics most days, reading New Scientist every week etc).

A1ways does she want to keep going to college for the company and social side of things? I'm just wondering if an Open University route may be the way forward, if she isn't craving the company of her friends & peer group each day and is happy to be at home. They have Access courses in the Arts & Humanities or Social Sciences which she may be eligible for under the circumstances. Alternatively, just their free courses on random subjects may give your DD something to focus on.

My cousin was a little further on than you are now and completed her A levels, but she was unable to start her degree course because she was losing her eyesight. Roll forward to 3 years ago & she completed a social sciences degree with a 1st. The support the OU was able to give her was phenomenal and she could pick & choose what she did when and how she would approach it.

I see so many people in my career who have taken a less conventional route to get qualifications. My gut reaction would be to encourage her to keep learning for the sake of it at the moment without exam related pressure. Anyone with major health issues has a perfectly valid explanation for why they have taken the scenic route to get to where they want to be. I think that at this stage, having the energy to maintain friendships and have a support network is far more important than having some certificates.

Sticker - she’s attending her school’s sixth form purely because it felt safer than the alternative as she knows them all, she’s not far from home (7 miles) and she felt comfortable there. She loves her subject choices.

But, she’s only continuing to struggle on because (a) she feels she has to given the compulsory element of education at this age and (b) because she doesn’t want to give up just yet without there being some reassuring alternatives for her to pursue.

I truly didnt know where to start but just having your thoughts and ideas is beneficial. Thank you all.

Sticker I totally agree re alternative routes and also to continue learning (providing it it enjoyable and not detrimental) as she will be learning and practising skills and finding more out about what she likes/doesn't like and her skills. I think you will all know by now (!) I have a real bug bear about everything being certificated, both academically and non curricular.. Clearly in an ideal world that would be the case but there are other benefits of being in school even if the exams are not completed and other routes to take if they are not.

I think she sounds marvellous & so resilient. We'll keep bouncing ideas around for you.

I agree Oratory - she needs to be doing something. She’s always keeping busy at home in terms of self study. She herself says she enjoys what she’s doing. What she’s finding most difficult are the enormous essays and ever increasing workload, plus the sixth form life pressure and expectation.

What she loves most is the subject that is coursework based, hands on and ongoing with a free, creative element following project guidelines.

That speaks volumes, but I need to seek alternatives for her to consider to put her mind at ease.

Ultimately, if she ends up in hospital undergoing intensive inpatient therapy, or surgery, all the certificates in the world would be meaningless and it puts things into perspective when I consider just what she may have to face in, potentially, the very near future.

Thank you Sticker

A1ways have you looked at the specification for the AS's in your DD's subjects to compare exactly what she has already covered, I know at DS's school in the sciences the first year is the same as the AS but I know nothing about the humanities. Also if there is quite a bit of an overlap perhaps approaching the subject teachers direct might get a better response to support your DD for her taking the AS in their subject?

If coursework is a better option could she transfer to a Btec?

Finally, I'm so sorry for what you are both going through but the fact your DD still wants to study at all shows great spirit

Hi Bluebelle

The essay based subject tutors have advised against pursuing the AS level route because of the changes required to do so. They haven’t been more specific than that yet.

The art tutor was fully supportive but needs to know soon as will need to change subject/project.

We have a meeting with the sixth form head next week to ask further questions.

Can she do an EPQ as a stand alone pressure-free subject, perhaps with another subject which starts with an AS, but can be extended into an A level if things start to turn in the right direction for her?

Always sorry to hear things are so tough. It sounds like she needs something bespoke like Art AS, maybe over 2 years plus an EPQ or a module or two with her being able to pick things and then study at her own pace. She can still be learning and building her skills and thinking but school will need to think outside the box.

Maybe talk to your local college about their art courses and other part time creative courses such as graphic design or jewellery making. A young person I know is doing a level 2 course in a creative subject where he can submit coursework in a vlog (not sure how you spell that!). Not saying your DD can’t write essays just saying a college might be more used to working around problems.

A full time level 3 BTEC has a lot of coursework so that may be worth keeping in mind.

It’s so frustrating that it’s proving difficult for her school to provide educational opportunities that are developmentally appropriate but also tailored to her problems with fatigue.

I'm a regular part on this thread and I've banned changed just to ask this question (that's how paranoid I am!)
On a scale of 1-10, how it of order would you think it was if a couple you and your DH have been friends with for decades, but who live a long way away so who don't know your DC well, appear to want to meet up when your teenage DC are busy, so won't be able to come?
This is a reverse AIBU. The other couple want to meet up for a few hours. When we meet, their DD is always hard work and generally gives an aura of being completely disinterested and is borderline rude every time I try to speak to her. Her mother just giggles when her DD is being rude. It makes me slightly dread the meetups.
Luckily,, the DD has got a hobby that keeps her busy most weekends, so in theory we could just meet up one of the weekends that her DD is busy. However, somehow I can't find a way to say it that won't cause offence.
Any suggestions, anyone?
I'll leave my DC at home to make it fair.

A1ways does your dd have any contact with the hospital school / teachers? Even if not they might be the right people to speak to about more flexible routes. They must see this issue regularly. I used to work closely with children's wards and the work the teachers do with children with long term health issues is inspirational.

Alde I don't think that's a problem at all. The other couple might prefer it too.

A1ways sorry to hear of your dd's difficulties. You have had some great suggestions so I've noting additional to sugges but I think Sticker has an excellent point about the OU for future reference. I did an OU degree (for fun) and I met many fabulous people at tutorials and summer schools who had taken a slightly different route to getting thier degree. Many had faced considerable hardships of one type or another - some (including 19 year olds) had made it a positive choice so they could work at the same time and 'flex' their degree. I cannot speak highly enough of the support and teaching materials the OU provide - and in one survey they were ranked in the top 10 UK universities (can't remember what this was tho). So maybe that's an future option?

DS did the Team SMC yesterday and met some boys from a very well known public school who are apparantly doing 5-7 A levels each, going to Oxford a year early, got maximum marks in the SMC etc etc. Poor lad came home completely deflated despite dh and I telling him it was all a bit of nonsense really and he eneds to be proud of his own achievements!

Alde can you just say that your dd is busy now (all teens are even if they're not iykwim) and suggest meeting without dc? I think that's entirely acceptable.

A1ways so sorry to hear about your dd. I am not sure what to suggest but I teach on an Access to humanities diploma course and have to say most of my students are youngsters who had to drop out of A levels due to illness. It's definitely an option further down the line if you need it.

A1ways if your DD is at a state school does your LEA have an inclusion/home tutoring service that could advise you and school?

Or Does LEA have a careers service ?

A1ways nothing to add except virtual support

Alde020 Honestly? 10 out of order. I would find it very rude

A1ways likewise sending you lots of support from here - unfortunately not sure what I can add practically.

Well after long decision dgd has finally decided what route for uni she is going down....psychology with cognitive neuroscience. She has also decided to give up an A level that broke her teachers hearts they were really gutted and even head of department went to see her. Yep she's giving up geography . But she has put in to do an epq. She dearly wants to go the way she has chosen and she wants to concentrate on 3 A levels but will still be going to SriLanka. As she said the brain is my passion and geography my love. I will go with passion its more exciting! ( am heartbroken too).
The good news she will get a prize at prize giving for ....English Literature! We knew she would not get the geography prize as I explained a few weeks back and we are still chuffed that she has got a prize ( presented December).
She went for first trustee meeting and enjoyed it very much! Hope everyone is OK and I will check in again soon. Best to you all.