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

Original poster

Thread 25 - Covid Cohort - Christmas Trees, No Omicron Please!

989 replies

OrangeCinnamonCocktail · 12/12/2021 17:15

This is a thread for supporting all young people post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting. It is respectfully requested that all are supportive and helpful to each other. If you want to start a debate, e.g state vs private, please don't within this thread. Please also be sensitive when responding to posts about grades.

Some of us have been here since first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped this goodwill continues.

Our DS/DD may go down various paths (such as employment, apprenticeships, higher ed) We have decided, for anyone interested, they will most likely find us within the Further Ed board.

Orange Cinnamon (Head Monitor Xmas Wink)
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Thread 25 - Covid Cohort - Christmas Trees, No Omicron Please!
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singingstones · 19/12/2021 19:43

I got lucky really - his tutor texted me asking for his login (she has fiddled about with his PS Hmm) and giving it to me to pass on was slightly less bad than texting her with it himself.
I'm glad I can be across any developments without needing to keep asking the poor child to check his emails, especially as there probably won't be any news until January now.

ExquisitelyDecorated · 19/12/2021 19:56

I have the logins too, I set this email up for DS when he first had a phone and needed an address to manage his giffgaff account so I put the email on my phone. I have also got the UCAS one as he needed help with getting all his qualifications in (BTECs are complicated) and needed to do it mid-week when he was away in boarding.

And he got an email from track today and his first offer came in on Friday, from Winchester. He is feeling quietly chuffed.

Zebracat · 19/12/2021 20:20

Great news Singingstones. @ExquisitelyDecorated are you willing to share the details?

crazycrofter · 19/12/2021 20:21

Ooh well done on the offer @ExquisitelyDecorated! Is that one of his favourites?

I was just asking dd how she feels about the possibility of online school. She said she’d rather not as there’s some people that she wouldn’t talk to much online and it would ruin the equilibrium she’s just reached in her friendship group. Typical of dd, everything is about friends/socialising, not the education bit! She’d be fine if exams were cancelled though.

I’ve been feeling they’ll definitely be cancelled for a while now. I kind of hope not - especially for ds who still needs time to improve. But what will be will be.

We’d love schools starting at 10 in our house. We have to leave the house at 7.25 and it’s awful in Dec/Jan/Feb. That was the one good thing about last year’s lockdown!

singingstones · 19/12/2021 20:36

Great news on the Winchester offer ED
Love crazy DD's take on online school cramping her style Smile
DS fell apart really during the last lockdown, so I am really hoping they can be in school even just a bit. It was a worrying time. Not wishing ill on other years because they all need school for different reasons but if Y13 and Y11 could have at least some face to face that would be very helpful.

ExquisitelyDecorated · 19/12/2021 20:43

It's 104 points, which is equivalent to BCC, which is equivalent to his predicted A level / BTECs. And yes, it is one of his favourites.

singingstones · 19/12/2021 20:48

So now that DS's form has finally gone - how does track work? There is a hub on UCAS where I can view his application and see how many have replied, is that track or is track something different?

EwwSprouts · 19/12/2021 20:55

@EquisitelyDecorated Congratulations on the offer!

I've promised DS I won't ask him to check emails until school goes back. He's not one for sharing logins.

We've had a nice day after a late start. Dragged DS shopping for him to buy for his grandparents and dad but it was ok at the retail park and we only had to queue one person in the supermarket. Then we decorated the tree. Starting to feel a little Christmassy but work this week is going to be chaotic. Roll on Christmas Eve.

singingstones · 19/12/2021 21:00

What is everyone wanting for Christmas? DH is pestering me for ideas but I'm struggling to think of anything. So far I have come up with new slippers and a bone China teacup and saucer but now I feel about 80.

Zebracat · 19/12/2021 21:04

The posthumous John le Carre, latest Deborah Levy, I sent several links for earrings. There’s a current style with big coloured stones that I really like. And a lay flat makeup bag.

ExquisitelyDecorated · 19/12/2021 21:14

I've asked for a set of silver stacking rings, a thermal mug (my old one made everything taste of plastic) and I have a wishlist of books on Amazon.

ExquisitelyDecorated · 19/12/2021 21:16

@singingstones you have set me off coughing again laughing at your slippers and bone china post. I buy my own slippers and bone china teacups Grin.

Alsoplayspiccolo · 19/12/2021 21:25

A friend of mine’s daughter, who has ADHD and ASD had an offer from De Montfort of 112 points, which has been reduced to 48 points.
She also got an offer from Birmingham City Uni of 112, plus £1000 if she attains or betters those grades, because of her SEN.

DD’s uni coordinator mentioned to her that she would probably get reduced offers because of her ADHD, but I was doubtful, until my friend told me about her DD’s. I can’t see anything on any of her uni choices websites about the possibility, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

Alsoplayspiccolo · 19/12/2021 21:26

Well done for Winchester, Exquisitely. Lovely place to study.

ExquisitelyDecorated · 19/12/2021 21:32

Thank you all, Winchester is fairly close to home and we go there quite often, it's gorgeous at this time of year with the Christmas market.

@Alsoplayspiccolo they vary with respect to the reduced offers for SEN. If you type "contextual offer" into the website search box it tells you. DS has SENs and is eligible at some of his choices but not others.

whoamitojudge · 19/12/2021 21:35

Thank you all. Dd had a good flight back. Did her PCR and sent it off but also did a lft which was negative.
I’m so happy she’s back and looking forward to spending time with her at Christmas.
Now she’s starting looking at flats near Stansted Airport!
How did my little baby get so grown up?

Monkey2001 · 19/12/2021 21:37

My DS wouldn't mind if school this on line - says there are pros and cons, he can get up later and make better use of free periods. He would like TAGs but I am fairly sure he would do better in real exams. We are regarding the March mocks as the real thing. He has now made it clear that he has no intention of completing EPQ as it will not affect any offers he might get. If he didn't get into medicine this year he will do the EPQ alongside Chemistry A level next year.

Congratulations on more lovely offers!

singingstones · 19/12/2021 21:59

whoami, has your DD finished training and about to start working?

HibiscusIsland · 20/12/2021 01:05

@singingstones

What is everyone wanting for Christmas? DH is pestering me for ideas but I'm struggling to think of anything. So far I have come up with new slippers and a bone China teacup and saucer but now I feel about 80.
Calendar, books on places to visit in London (insert other city) candle, gardening book, hand wash and lotion, soap, lip balm, mug, nature book (not all from one person) If you like coffee, whittards did a set of coffees from around the world last Christmas
HibiscusIsland · 20/12/2021 01:09

@ExquisitelyDecorated

I have the logins too, I set this email up for DS when he first had a phone and needed an address to manage his giffgaff account so I put the email on my phone. I have also got the UCAS one as he needed help with getting all his qualifications in (BTECs are complicated) and needed to do it mid-week when he was away in boarding.

And he got an email from track today and his first offer came in on Friday, from Winchester. He is feeling quietly chuffed.

Good news
HibiscusIsland · 20/12/2021 01:15

I fancy going to Winchester now

Isthisjustnormal · 20/12/2021 07:26

Great news @ExquisitelyDecorated. Great to hear dd is home and covid free @whoamitojudge: how long does she have off over Christmas?

Wheresthebeach · 20/12/2021 09:03

Lovely news about Winchester ED, and must be lovely to have DD home Who.

Whatever they do, I wish they'd just bloody decide and announce.

ZittiEBuoni · 20/12/2021 09:04

I've spent the last couple of years hinting to dd that she might think of Bournemouth, as it's our closest and I feel she will need to be within an hour of home if she wants to have a shot at independent living. It's also great for film & media, which is the A level subject she's getting her best results in at the moment.

She always rejected the idea out of hand, but we went to Bournemouth on Saturday for skating and Christmas shopping/market and she decided she really likes it there now - signs of hope...

I've had to buy my own Christmas presents - some slippers and a necklace I had my eye on, as both were selling out and I thought I'd better order while I still could. Also getting an Alexa for the kitchen!

crazycrofter · 20/12/2021 09:35

That's good news @ZittiEBuoni, sometimes you just need to quietly plug away at an idea until they get on board! Being near home sounds like a really good idea.