Thread 33 - Lovely Jubbly Jubilee Break, then back to Exams

[OrangeCinnamonCroissant]

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 threads 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 will continue.

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. Possibly a move to Parent of Adult Children Board in future?
previous thread

Should add in comparison to previous papers!

Speaking exams went well and were on a par with past papers. She said the Spanish listening/reading was brutal with ambiguous questions (DD is essentially bilingual so does not usually find this particular paper too hard). Not sure if nerves/inexperience with public exams were a contributory factor. The others in the class were equally miffed by it.

How have your DC found the exams so far?

Good luck to those with exams today.

DD was exhausted after Drama and Theatre exam yesterday but there were no tears like the mock so I’m taking that as a positive sign. she said 2/3 of the questions were ok but the last essay question she changed her mind which one to answer so ended up crossing a big section out and restarting but she finished just in time without having a chance to check through.

One more exam to go on Tues for DD. DS with GCSEs has done 15 and has 9 to go. The end all seems in sight now.

Good luck today to them all. DS has physics.

Good luck to all sitting exams today! 🍀

Good luck to the history and physics bods today and any other exam takers that I have forgotten!

@EspeciallyDistracted I’m here for the commiserations on British warfare! 😄

Best wishes to all historians and physicists today and anyone else sitting today.

Does anyone else sometimes feel it’s all a bit surreal and can’t quite believe they are doing exams finally?

DD has PE this morning - she seems a little more stressed than usual. I think it's also because next weeks is getting closer (she thinks worst week next week as "only" 3 exams, they will be harder..

Good luck to all History, PE, Environmental science (if any) and Physcis (I've got AQA printed out :-)

This will be the 6th one for DD so we had that feeling the first week :-) Hope your DS is ok.

Sadly, ds said he couldn't answer any questions in yesterday's politics exam. I don't know what went wrong. He has been the most studios student for the last 2 yrs, getting straight A's in all his mocks. How he's gone from that to not being able to answer any question is a mystery. His offers seem to have floated away before our very eyes so I don't think I'll be posting anymore as it's too upsetting.

Thanks for all your support, I'm just really heartbroken for my DS who has struggled so much throughout his education. This was meant to be his triumph over that.

Oh Shimy, I’m so sorry to read your post, and completely understand your pain. We’re all here for as and when you’re ready, there will be options but right now they won’t be obvious when caught in the storm.

@Shimy I'm so sorry, quite understand if you want to stay away, there have been long periods in my DS's educational life where I haven't been able to face the education boards at all. My DB completely flunked A levels but eventually achieved his career goals via an unconventional route and it all worked out for him in the end

@Shimy your poor boy (and you). I hope he can recover and carry on with his other papers. He will find his way, even if it is not what was planned.

To everyone’s well wishes, thank you again. I am reading all, just running around a little.

Miranda, welcome back :)

Good luck on today’s exams, History for us too, then 3 more to go across two weeks, a breather for DD.

Proggy, DD’s feedback from Spanish was speaking assessments were fine, but didn’t flow as much as she’d have liked; listening part was brutal like HarrietD reported but rest better. Her next paper on essays is normally her strongest, but who knows. She’s sitting Eduqas…is this the same as the main Welsh board? I’m not sure!

Shimy I am so sorry to hear that, a big shock for you both 💐Fully understand you not posting, I was like that with DD’s sixth form education. We are here for you whenever you want and as Ealing said there will be options further down the line. Take care.

Shimy I'm so sorry to read your update. Sending hugs. As others have said there will be options, other routes available. Everyone is here when you feel like talking although completely understand why you need to take a break from this thread. I you want to, you could start your own thread and I'm sure we'll all happily offer support and ban all talk of exams!

Good luck to everyone today.

@Shimy poor boy, this is where missing out on GCSEs means they are not mentally set up for exams. If the other papers are good he cam still get a good result, and if not he can re-sit, most universities accept re-sits now. I am sure you are telling him that if he didn't get what he deserves for these exams it is not the end of the road for any plans, just a blip on the journey. Hope it does not cause him to lose all confidence for the remaining exams.

@Shimy, So sorry to hear your latest post. Your poor ds. Poor you. We are here for you whenever you want to return. You will be in our thoughts until then.

Is it worth talking to the school? All may not be lost. Extenuating circumstances may only be about 3%, which may not be enough. But an email from Head of 6th form to Firm and Insurance can work well?

Oh @Shimy I'm so sorry to read your post, your poor DS. I wish him all the best in his remaining exams and hope that things don't turn out as bad as they feel right now. Sending huge hugs. x

@shimy I’m so sorry for your poor boy. I hope you can help him to get back in the saddle and do the rest of his exams. Remind him that his others have gone ok so far, and presumably he’s got another paper to go for Politics? He will have options. I know it’s hard for you both to believe that now but it’s true.

Did he really not write anything or does he just think that what he wrote was rubbish? I think I’d contact school if I were you and let them know the situation, ask if there’s anything that can be done.

Shimy i agree with pp about how lack of gcse exams is now having an effect. You may find that actually he's fine a lot better than he expected though. Does he put a lot of pressure on himself?
It's so hard when results day is such a long time off.

oh @Shimy we are all here for you.

So sorry to read that @Shimy. Definitely agree that you should contact the school as they won't be aware. I can understand why you feel you need a break from here but I am sure when you're ready you can still get some support. There are different pathways to the same place, although Im guessing it's too soon for either you or your son to think about that. Please don't feel you can't post here, as we are all here for each other. [virtual hug]