Thread 18 - Corona Cohort Enrolling to Year 13 2021, Invasive Infections & Uni Uncertainty

[Orangecinnamon21]

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That's awful @Fferny1
So the AS's don't impact her future A level grades but they want her to redo the year for the benefit of their stats?

I think that in itself would have me looking elsewhere - if I could find somewhere that was doing the same exam board and would take her for Y13, plus a tutor to help catch up on Y12 if she has gaps there.

If that's too disruptive and she does need to start Y12 again, I'd still be looking elsewhere, as her current school is obviously not getting the best out of her.

Crikey @Fferny1 than sounds awfully harsh. Did they make it plain that progress to Year 13 was dependent on A grades at AS?
I think you really need to take a breath here and find out if she achieved to her potential, or if not whether it was lack of motivation or mental health. He school sounds awful tome. When did schools become so results driven?

Goodness Fferny1 that’s harsh. So they will only predict what she achieved what she achieved for AS and not a grade above slowing for improvement and hopefully a less disrupted year 13? What is she looking to do and what does she need?

The pressure is so high at the moment, I feel so sorry for them.

Apologies, think i’ve just remembered your DD was looking at architecture. It is very sad that school are putting their stats above mental health of their students in these unprecedented times 💐

@piggy thank you for the solidarity.
I heard your tut...

She's just had a heart to heart with my Dad. She thinks it's best to repeat the year but board. I need to convince DH to that the cost is worthwhile. She needs to get high grades and this is the optimum school for it
Yes, we've always been aware the school is tough. They however have been absolutely rubbish this year at communicating and considering the day pupils. They have been excluded at all levels to protect the boarders. They are also terrible re. Mental health issues.

Blimey I'm not sure I'd be happy to come up with boarding fees just because a school didn't look after it's day pupils properly!

Poor thing, sorry to hear she is feeling down about it. Just asking because you say their mental health care is terrible and she has been suffering with poor mental health - is there not an alternative with a more nurturing philosophy and better pastoral care where she might do better? I'm sure the current school gets excellent results, but not all schools suit everyone (and partly their good results seem to come from kicking out or holding back anyone who doesn't measure up!)

*its

I am not sure that architecture is all about the grades, portfolio is also very important. My niece with all A at GCSE and 4 A at A level didn't get an offer from the Bartlett, so it can't just be about the grades. I just looked on discoveruni and there is a wide spread of grades, so maybe she needs to check what it is that they are looking for. discoveruni.gov.uk/course-details/10007784/UBSARCSING18/Full-time/

@Fferny1 that is horrendous, your poor DD. My DS is at a highly selective school, they seem to expect all the boys to just get on with it. I think because they have so many high achievers, those that need a bit of help are looked down upon. We have had conversations about predictions, it is all a bit of a nightmare. I hope your DD is ok, can't believe we pay all this money and end up with these kind of situations!

Fferny I join the chorus of tutting at the school. I went to a public school as a day girl and it wasn’t til I was a qualified teacher myself that I truly recognised how appalling the teaching was as well as the pastoral care. I would not be paying them for another year - can’t she just stick with her friends and look at a foundation year instead?
Is that a possibility?

Piggy heartened you are well enough to tut. Hopefully you are much better.

Well enough to tut sounds just like something my DSM would say!

@Fferny1 that sounds really harsh. I hope your DD is ok

I’m also shocked by that @Fferny1. Dd was previously at a top 10 very selective independent but they wouldn’t have done that, in fact they were very supportive at GCSE at allowing subjects to be dropped and no one was prevented from moving on to sixth form.

I think I’d be going for a fresh start. If she joined year 12 in a new school where they have lots of new joiners, no one would bat an eyelid.

Another one shocked at what you've experienced @Fferny1 . DD is at a big name independent and I've never heard of anyone being asked to repeat a year. The only time it's happened is where there has been illness. I would definitely not repeat a year at a school that has treated my child so callously.

@SandyBayley how did the rowing go today? DS's GF's boat lost their heat, but there were 2 Olympics hopefuls in the other quad!

Henley was lovely. They lost their heat but everyone had a lovely time. Glorious weather and Pimms. The naughty boys blagged their way into the Stewards Enclosure. He's home now having a nana nap. GCSE results tomorrow...

Oh @Fferny1 your poor Dd! Is it much difference in cost to board? For some reason I have in my head it isn't?

Will the pressure over the next two years if she stays help or hinder?

Interesting commentating from all of you. Also how different other schools are. Because we live in a very rural county we have very few schooling options around here.

I'm not so sure the school is being callous, it's just the way it is. DD was telling me that she knows several who've repeated this year. It seems a common thing rightly or wrongly and the way the school have always played inadequate As results.
DD has said she definitely wants to stay at this school. I'm happy either way, but I'm not entirely sure that this school had brought out the best in her. In fact I'm sure it hasn't.

Anyway we've agreed she can board for one year and by next year she should be able to drive & hopefully Covid restrictions will be out of the way.
She will be able to make new friends with the new boarders in the first few months. She's been desperately unhappy, as due to school restrictions last year they had to leave by the end of the school day. This left no time at all ( 20 min. Lunch) to mix with her friends who are all boarders ( only 10% day pupils). So from being very sociable and sporty she's gone to being depressed & doing no sport ( used to be on two county teams).

@Fferny1 I’m shocked too but think happiness is important and if repeating and boarding is what your DD wants then that’s the main thing.

Just managed to find a local vaccine centre on a local Facebook page that seems to be taking 16+ walk ins so going to take DD tomorrow and see if she can get one. Fingers crossed.

Hello - please may I join you? I've been lurking for a while and recognise one or two names here (waves at Piggy!) My DD1 is heading into Y13 in September, and is hoping to study for a MFL degree.

Harriet welcome - are you another with another going into 3rd year at university too?? If so, I think that’s where I recognise you from. I name changed a while back.

Welcome Harriet, lovely to see another MFL prospect.

Fferny1 no words of wisdom here. Just do whatever works for you and your DD that enables her to get to the next stage of her life.

@Zandathepanda - No, DD1 is my eldest so university applications are new territory for me. I'm on one or two other threads on MN though so you might have spotted me elsewhere.

@ealingwestmum - good to see another prospective MFL candidate!

no idea who I have you confused you with! Seeing I have just found my phone in the fridge and the milk by the phone charger, I think it’s time I called it a night .

Hi harriet!

zanda, there was someone with quite a similar name on the older DCs' thread. Slipped my mind now but you aren't entirely losing your marbles. (just your phone).