Year 12 #2: Carols, commutes & a few stocking fillers

[Stickerrocks]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/further_education/3410431-year-12-1-gcses-are-sooo-last-year

eaglefly DS1 did Computer Science (OCR) and enjoyed it, despite the debacle with the NEA (coursework) which was meant to count for 20% of the marks and ended up not counting for anything, yet still compulsory.

DS3 is in the middle of the Computer Science GCSE course and it's his favourite subject.

eaglefly

DS2 did Geography. During the course his grades were under target (didn't use key words, didn't always interpret the question correctly) but he memorised the statistics for all the case studies and ended up getting a 9.

DS3 is doing PRE and enjoys it.

Eaglefly - my DS did the usual compulsories including triple science and an MFL at gcse ( so 7 of those) and did history, geography and RS as his 3 options.

He is now doing history, geography and economics as A levels.

He prefers the Human Geography side rather than physical geography. He said it is a case of learning keywords to chuck in and the case studies.

He has also found that some of his geography from gcse has helped with his economics too if that may be a consideration going forward.

This is all really helpful. I will discuss this with DS. I am pretty sure he will opt for CS as he does love tech stuff. I think no coursework for the one he is doing and yes I do remember that debacle. Not sure what to do about DT. That seems to be quite heavy coursework. Problem with DS is that his like for a subject is heavily influenced by the teacher he gets and given teachers change every year and no guarantee who you will get he may or may not like DT. He has had some shocking teachers for it who have relay out him off. Better this year though. Lots to think about.

• really put him off

Twin I hope I'm not out of line asking this but how far away from expectations was your DD's GCSE results? And were they the school's predictions or your DD's?

Did your DD reflect on why her results were lower than expected, and did she come to any conclusions about what she could have done differently?

The reason I am asking is because if your DD is setting herself up to fail with personal ambitious expected results that her teachers don't agree or she's isn't admitting to herself threat she isn't doing as much work as she ought to, then, maybe you are getting to the source of the problem and at least then you've got some chance of putting things right before the end of year exams.
By way of consultation: Being thrown off courses due to poor end of year 12 results has now been outlawed, hasn't it???

Consolation, not consultation!

Re end of yr 12 Whistl I don't think it has

eaglefly - definitely if you are good with programming, CS is a good one to do. DS1 has recommended it to DS2 who has to choose options this year. I don't see any issue doing DT and CS.
DS is thinking about uni but not sure if he's looking at philosophy or law at the moment!

Being thrown off courses due to poor end of year 12 results has now been outlawed, hasn't it???

It's certainly a lot harder for schools to do this than it was a few years ago (as illustrated by a recent case in the news). In state schools, I think the school would be on shaky ground if they were to refuse to allow a student to continue to Y13. They could strongly dissuade them though.

Not at all whistl i haven't got her grades in front of me, but from memory she got a 7 in maths (school predicted 8), and she is doing maths and further maths at A level. She sat foundation science but got into physics a level based on her maths GCSE level. Setting her up to fail is exactly what I am worried about but nobody is listening.

To cut a long story short when it became clear DD couldn't do geography at A level as not high enough entry required, her choices were limited. School sixth form wouldn't take her to do any science or French as not high enough grade. She could have done English but option lines didn't fit and school were like "well its your problem". School didn't tell us until September about option line problem, cue panic college option.

When she is a reflective mood she knows she didn't revise enough for GCSEs, but she hasn't learnt from her mistakes. She had a lot of friendship issues which she claims was also a factor, she is very quiet. She is happier at College and has lost touch with her 'friends' but not really made any new ones which bothers her.

Tbh, I honestly don't mind if she doesn't go to uni, DH is very anti-uni and thinks it is a waste of time and money. I don't feel as strongly as DH but know loads of graduates with no job or in a job that doesn't require a degree. Whatever our feelings, DD says she wants to go, maybe because her cousins have all been to uni or are still there.

Twins I think we are so programmed these days to think that A levels = A grades, that we forget that in most subjects approximately 75% of results are a grade B or below. The DC achieving these results have just as many options available to them as the straight A students. In fact they may even have more choice, because they may not feel the need to conform to expectations of Oxbridge etc.

You obviously worry a lot about your DD, not just her education, but you also care deeply about her mental health and friendship issues. It must be so hard for you wanting to step in, knowing that you concern will be seen as interference, and watching your DD make choices which may not seem to be the wisest. However, the support you are giving her will make a difference, if not mow, at some point in the future. After all, with your resilience in her genes, she is bound to grow up into a determined young person. Hang on in there, keep talking things through, and recognise that your DD's fierce independence means that you laid strong foundations for her in her early years.

Eaglefly I know you face many different challenges to the rest of us. I hope DD is getting the support she deserves. It must be so frustrating wanting to do everything that everyone around you seems to find so easy, but finding time and time again that your body says no. Education isn't about achieving a set of exam results at a given time. Your DD may have to the scenic route, but I hope she can find that spark of realisation that her route is different to others, but is just as valuable.

And finally, is bpisock around for a pup-date? Sost's pup is all grown up now, whereas yours must still be a fluff ball.

Thank you stick. That is really Kind of you to say.

Aw bless you stick such kind words, means a lot thank you

I just want her to be happy friendship, mental health, academic. The lot

I met my DH's cousin 30 years ago when she was just beginning to come to terms with a life changing diagnosis. She put her academic career on hold, gritted her teeth and managed to survive. About 10 years ago she plucked up the courage to start her OU degree, which she didn't need for any reason except to prove a point to herself. She couldn't study in a conventional way, but somehow she achieved her first, about 25 years later than originally intended. She has had the support and encouragement of her family and friends every step of the way and her achievement is so much greater than anything I have ever done. It was never about getting a career or money, simply about wanting to know more stuff for the sheer sake of it. We all have to find our own way and do things at the right time, whether that's as a spotty 18 year old or with a bit more experience. Every single one of ours will get there in the end.

...whether with or without formal qualifications. All we really want for every DC on this thread is health and happiness, as a few certificates mean very little without them. Keep posting, both of you as I hope we can give you a boost if you need it, even if we can't possibly understand your day to day reality.

Twin university isn't be all and end all. Maybe your DD wants to go there because that's what she thinks everyone does? There are other (sometimes, better) ways to end up with a satisfying, interesting career.

I am getting a sense from your posts that your DD sets very challenging goals for herself and tries to shut you out of discussing the wisdom of them or helping her achieve them. Is that right?

It's as Stickerrocks says: she is fiercely independent. Maybe she has even asked the college not to discuss her education with you?

I think the only thing you can do is stand back and let her get on with it, even if you see problems looming. No more looking through her stuff for clues.
Standing back and letting our DC make mistakes is incredibly difficult. It goes against everything we are programmed to do, but in your DD's case, it seems that you have little choice. Anything else will just alienate her from you and that would mean that you wouldn't be around to help whenever things have gone wrong and she really needs you.

whistl and stick thanks for the words. I know you are right whistl I need to stand back and let go but as you say so hard when I can see a potential train crash ahead. (not trying to be negative)

Twin is it worth reminding her (in passing) that some people restart Year 12 with different options at a different college?

I only suggest this because a) she had huge time pressure to make her course decision and b) she doesn’t seem to be firmly settled at her current college.

Twinplusone So sorry to hear that things have not improved - you were struggling with this same situation before Christmas if I remember correctly. Big hugs to you. You have been given some very good advice on here. I would just add that before you stand back, say to your DD that that is what you are going to do so she doesn't misunderstand and think you are 'giving up' on her. Let her know that the door is always open for her to ask for help and that there will not be judgement if such a time should come. As parents we only want good things for our children and to be there to support them as they work towards their goals in life.

eaglefly My DS2 also choosing GCSE options and we are struggling! He has been assessed to have slow processing speed and gets 25% extra time but not quite sure that that will help him! Trying to choose subjects that don't require too much essay writing or long written exams. Definitely going for Resistant Materials (tech) which he loves, Music and CS. All of which have coursework component. We were thinking Art as it is 100% coursework but concerned about the amount to consistent work he has to put in. Plus he's not great at art. Will speak to teachers at Parents Evening next week and see.

Twin I feel for you - it is very hard to step back and goes against our instincts. Main thing is to be clear you're there to talk. If it's any consolation I think a lot of students start again after Y12 - on BTEC, apprenticeships and/or Access courses. Or they work their way up from entry level in a career. Most of my current intake of Access students are around 19 or 20 and fall into that category and they now have university offers. Not everyone follows the same path but schools are being judged -by parents especially - on university progression, so post-GCSE advice can be misleading.
242Mummy - be careful of Art GCSE. It has become much more academic - there's a lot of writing about the process involved! Talk to the teacher and ask to see how it's assessed before making your final decision!

242Mummy My DSes would get U for Art, so it's something that there never even vaguely considered. However, I recall that about this time last year, with GCSEs looming and time becoming a precious commodity, there were a few posters on the GCSE threads whose DC were finding meeting the deadline for submitting their Art GCSE portfolio was a challenge.

Whistl I'm only just recovering from the GCSE Art trauma! mind you, art departments are far more interested in portfolios than GCSE grades so don't be put off if a DC is really keen to do it.