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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

Holiday during Easter in A Levels year?

66 replies

BarefootHippieChick · 30/09/2021 19:11

Currently debating on a possible holiday next year to visit family abroad during Easter. However, dd is in year 13 and I'm concerned how it might affect revision or in school study sessions during that time? (If this is even a thing). I know May half term is impossible but wondered if one of the Easter weeks might be more doable. I'm not even sure when A Level exams even start? Any advice from anyone who's been through A Level years?

OP posts:
Original poster
BarefootHippieChick · 30/09/2021 20:17

@ShaunaTheSheep

I wouldn't, especially after the last 18 months, and the stress of their first ever public exams, plus another likely grade fiasco looming.
Yes, that's definitely my concern. Dd sat 2 lots of GCSE mocks but it's still not the real thing.
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Original poster
BarefootHippieChick · 30/09/2021 20:20

@Rummikub

It’s to do with mindset. She really needs to focus on her exams. If she didn’t get her expected grades will she regret it? If she wants an apprenticeship then I guess it doesn’t matter if she gets her A levels. Also there’s always foundation year 0 at uni too. The decision depends on priorities and what ifs. What does your dd think?

She'd be happy to go but not sure her decision would benefit her which is why I thought I'd ask others! I know she would be disappointed not to receive good grades no matter what she chooses to do after.

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Original poster
BarefootHippieChick · 30/09/2021 20:21

@Cruiser11

Why couldn’t you go in the six week school holiday?
Unfortunately the dates don't really fit in with family plus being here for results day
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Rummikub · 30/09/2021 20:26

If your dd would be disappointed with not getting the grades then defer the holiday till next year.
I wouldn’t recommend going away near results day neither.

Cruiser11 · 30/09/2021 20:27

How about next October half term?

Sarah2384 · 30/09/2021 20:27

Maybe a long weekend, but not long haul. That's madness!
Also it's possible that she might need Easter to finish off practical work for her third subject, depending on deadlines.

Original poster
BarefootHippieChick · 30/09/2021 20:31

@Cruiser11

How about next October half term?
I'm not sure how that would work if she goes to university? I know their holidays differ to general school dates.
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Rummikub · 30/09/2021 20:32

Better off taking a week in o river off from uni rather than easter

whiteroseredrose · 30/09/2021 20:33

I really wouldn't. I've been desperate to go on holiday at Easter for years but DC won't go! Exams are too important.

Original poster
BarefootHippieChick · 30/09/2021 20:34

Really rummikub? I know nothing about uni holidays and how it works if you're not there during term time, as opposed to frowns and fines from school!!

OP posts:
Original poster
BarefootHippieChick · 30/09/2021 20:35

@whiteroseredrose

I really wouldn't. I've been desperate to go on holiday at Easter for years but DC won't go! Exams are too important.
Personally I've always hated our Easter holidays because we've always had bad weather wherever we've been 😁
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spudjulia · 30/09/2021 20:37

We run revision sessions over easter for exam groups - easter is a vital part of the revision schedule. There's no way I'd be taking my own children away at Easter during exam years.

RampantIvy · 30/09/2021 20:38

@Cruiser11

How about next October half term?
Students don't get half term. Some universities do reading week, but it doesn't always coincide with school half terms.

If the third subject is art/graphics/product design/similar type of subject then definitely do not go away at Easter.

Why can't family visit you?

Cruiser11 · 30/09/2021 20:40

Most unis have a reading week and it’s often around October half term but obviously you won’t know the date until you know what uni she is going to if she goes. New year is another poss.

DFOD · 30/09/2021 20:42

One week for long haul with jet lag both ends - v bad idea. Will take the second week just to get back in an even keel.

I have 4 kids - we haven’t done Xmas, Easter or May half term holiday for nearly a decade as there is always someone doing mocks, GCSEs, AS levels and A levels…. Feb half term for some simple sun, sea and sand in the Canary Islands is a nice distraction in the bleak midwinter.

RampantIvy · 30/09/2021 20:44

I know nothing about uni holidays and how it works if you're not there during term time, as opposed to frowns and fines from school!!

Terrible idea. Students get penalised for work that is handed in late - their marks go down for late work. It's a good incentive to meet deadlines. Attendance is taken for seminars.

Rummikub · 30/09/2021 20:44

Yeah there won’t be any fines
Just done catching up to do
Also unis seem to be doing on line lectures and minimal face to face.

Rummikub · 30/09/2021 20:45

In first year ? That won’t impact final year grades. As a one off.

RampantIvy · 30/09/2021 20:47

Also unis seem to be doing on line lectures and minimal face to face.

I think it s dependent on which university and which course. DD is doing a STEM degree with lots of lab practicals, and everything has been F2F so far this term, she would be panic stricken at missing a week of term.

waltzingparrot · 30/09/2021 20:49

We let DS go in the first week of the Easter holidays of his exam year - on the school ski trip! The break did him the world of good after months of extra revision classes before and after school. To be fair, he was predicted high grades and he got high grades, but I suppose you could say, at least a week's break didn't send them plummeting.

PileOfBooks · 30/09/2021 20:52

I absolutely wouldnt (ex 6th form teacher.)
Easter is so important for keeping revision up ans many schools run classes then too.

Id take the others out of school when she has finished. Far bettef they miss a week than she does!!!

Chicchicchicchiclana · 30/09/2021 20:52

It's a no from me (also have a child in Y13).

Rummikub · 30/09/2021 20:52

Missing a week first year is very different to year 2 or 3.
If it’s a choice between October or the Easter prior to A levels then October wins,

RampantIvy · 30/09/2021 20:55

In spite of my advice not to go, I have just remembered that DD did a 4 day geography trip to New York at the beginning of the Easter holidays of year 13. However, Easter was very early that year, and the trip was only 4 days.

WishingYouAMerryChristmasToo · 30/09/2021 20:56

We don’t Easter or may it in exam years but do at other times