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Original poster

Post GCSE’s 2022 - Year 12 2022/23 General support thread

999 replies

Rollergirl11 · 02/09/2022 14:57

This is a thread for supporting all young people post GCSEs 2022, regardless of their educational setting.
Our DC’s may continue down various pathways ( employment, apprenticeships, higher ed)
Everyone is welcome!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
LouisCatorze · 08/09/2022 07:46

DD is having a bit of a rollercoaster week. Think it's going to take her a while to get in the zone for her subjects. She managed to get a 'late' for one lesson yesterday and she didn't even know why/how. Think they need to cut the newcomers a bit of slack in the first week

She's not 100% sure about Eng. Lit. I've said it's too soon to tell really (giving her the new job analogy). She's extraordinarily tired though and it's still only Thursday. She didn't settle down to any work yesterday until about 6pm (she had study periods in the afternoon so came home). I've told her she's got to try and get her work done in an earlier 'window' so that she has some down time before early to bed on weekdays.

On a very positive note, clearly she has started making friends now.

@Lightsabre good news for your DS with his GCSE review. But poor thing, having to go back to school to pick up his forgotten suit. I hope his shoes are still there today.

@aramox1 free afternoons (well for study) are all well and good as long as they are used for their given purpose!

MyOtherProfile · 08/09/2022 08:55

First day here. Felt surprisingly emotional waving him off!

VegetablesAreMyFriends · 08/09/2022 09:01

I am second guessing DD's choices now. If she wants to study Physics at Uni, must he have further maths and chemistry?

She's taken maths, physics, art and spanish. Not sure if it's enough.

TeenDivided · 08/09/2022 09:05

Physics at uni would be helped by FM, but not all unis will require it.
I think Chemistry would be less needed, but not certain.
If she is able at maths (8/9 at GCSE) then FM would be better maybe but only if she is interested enough. She might change her mind about Physics once she gets into the A level course after all.

VegetablesAreMyFriends · 08/09/2022 09:09

Thanks Teen She got a 8/9 in maths and physics. And did additional maths and further maths for the GCSE - did well in both A/8.
She was keen to pick up the extra maths for gcse - but has probably had enough of Maths now. I am wondering if I should have stopped her then and encourage to take further maths now for A levels.
So difficult knowing what to do!

TeenDivided · 08/09/2022 09:32

Suggest a quick look at uni websites to see what they ask for.
There are 2 points

  • would FM help Physics at uni - definitely yes
  • is it actually a requirement for entry - less clear
Plus of course, how much chance it there she will change her mind about uni course and decide to do sociology or Spanish or architecture instead?
VegetablesAreMyFriends · 08/09/2022 09:40

Thanks, will take a look and have a chat with her.

singingstones · 08/09/2022 09:45

@VegetablesAreMyFriends
FM would help her as a physics undergraduate, but you can definitely do a physics degree without further maths or chemistry. DS was planning on physics (without either of those) until he started the A level course and discovered how hard it is! He got an A in the end but it was a slog and he got A stars in physics and maths at GCSE and a distinction at GCSE additional maths.

If she has had enough of maths, she ain't gonna like maths and physics A levels! I would forget about FM and keep options open as A levels are very different and their preferences can change quite a lot.

TeenDivided · 08/09/2022 09:54

DD had a good induction day yesterday, made some new friends etc. Smile

Came home exhausted as they had 2 tours of the campus (due to admin mess up) and, being an agricultural college, it is a very big campus...
Also came home with streaming cold. So she's not gone in today.
Great start to new academic year. Hmm

Original poster
Rollergirl11 · 08/09/2022 11:35

DD’s first day today. Their sixth form is so strict. They have been told that they are expected to remain on site for the entire day for the first half term and all free periods are to be spent in school. Also they have to be present for tutor/register every morning, even if they don’t have any lessons in the morning. I wonder how long that will last!

OP posts:
MrsScrubbingbrush · 08/09/2022 12:17

Yesterday was a half day induction day for DDs.

The day started badly for DD1. Back in the middle of August we applied to upgrade her Oyster travel card to a 16+ card, after 2 weeks it still hadn't arrived (should have come in 3-5 days) so we requested a replacement. Yesterday morning it arrived, DD put £5 on it but it didn't work. Turns out that it was the original one (which took 3 weeks to come😡) with the Post Office on strike for the next 2 days hopefully the right one will come on Saturday.

Their college arranges tutor groups so that there is at least one other person in it that is doing the same course. Both DDs are doing French and have been put in the same tutor group. However DD1 is studying Biology & Chemistry whereas it appears that everyone else is studying humanities so she felt a bit isolated- nobody had any interest in her subjects. I'm sure the college had the best intentions putting DDs together but although the get on very well they are like chalk & cheese. DD1 is quiet and takes a while to get to know people, DD2 is very outgoing. Also, they have been in different groups/schools since Reception.

They have a 1:1 chat via teams with her tutor today so hopefully DD1 can request a change of tutor group so she's with more STEM based people. She doesn't want me to get involved at all!

Luckily, DD2 had a good day.

Things can only get better!

TeenDivided · 08/09/2022 12:19

Rollergirl11 · 08/09/2022 11:35

DD’s first day today. Their sixth form is so strict. They have been told that they are expected to remain on site for the entire day for the first half term and all free periods are to be spent in school. Also they have to be present for tutor/register every morning, even if they don’t have any lessons in the morning. I wonder how long that will last!

I think this one example of where schools and colleges are so different.
A 6th form at a school is an extension of the y7-y11 school, but with some rules relaxed.
A college is in some ways more like a very structured university with added parental oversight. So often very relaxed dress, no requirement to register or be on site outside lessons, no bells reminding them it is the end of break etc.

sheepdogdelight · 08/09/2022 12:23

TeenDivided · 08/09/2022 12:19

I think this one example of where schools and colleges are so different.
A 6th form at a school is an extension of the y7-y11 school, but with some rules relaxed.
A college is in some ways more like a very structured university with added parental oversight. So often very relaxed dress, no requirement to register or be on site outside lessons, no bells reminding them it is the end of break etc.

Show quote history

Whilst I think you're right in general, individual settings are all different.

DD goes to her school sixth form, and she only has to come in when she has lessons, can go out (not that there's much nearby to go to) at lunchtime, tutor sessions are missable if not adjacent to other lessons. And the school doesn't have bells for any year group :)
They are, however, apparently being quite strict about people breaking the uniform code (which is basically smart casual), though that might not last past the first week!

TeenDivided · 08/09/2022 13:19

Oh I agree, sheep, I made a massive generalisation Smile

MrsAvocet · 08/09/2022 13:24

Rollergirl11 · 08/09/2022 11:35

DD’s first day today. Their sixth form is so strict. They have been told that they are expected to remain on site for the entire day for the first half term and all free periods are to be spent in school. Also they have to be present for tutor/register every morning, even if they don’t have any lessons in the morning. I wonder how long that will last!

Ours is the same. They are allowed out at lunchtime and the local chip shops etc are probably rubbing their hands with glee as their lunchtime takings must shoot up for a few weeks as the new freedom means almost the whole of year 12 goes out initially. However, it's only just possible to walk into town, get served and get back to school in time for afternoon registration so the novelty soon wears off, especially as the weather gets worse. And although it is obviously de rigeur to moan about school dinners, privately all my children have admitted that actually the food available at school is both better and cheaper 😁
Free periods have to be spent in designated areas in the 6th form centre or in the library, or those that volunteer as subject prefects go and help in younger classes in one free a week. My DS will have his private music lesson in one of his frees. I don't think it bothers many of the pupils at our school, but then most of them travel quite long distances and have to get an early bus anyway. I'm quite glad to be honest as it removes any possibility of "Mum, will you take me in at 11.30 pleeeeese." I can imagine it would be annoying to have to be there at 9 if you had no classes til the afternoon and you live around the corner from school though.

MrsAvocet · 08/09/2022 14:22

Oh, and they can arrange driving lessons in free periods which is quite handy, though I imagine questions would be asked of someone claimed to have a driving lesson every day!

Naem · 08/09/2022 15:02

Our school is somewhere in between, by the sounds of it. They have to be there for morning registration and are required to be in school until lunchtime even if they have frees (they have packed the lessons before lunch in any event, so there are not many frees in the morning). But they can leave at lunchtime and don't need to be in in the afternoon unless they have classes - and while Mondays every second week are very heavy for DD, until after 4pm, and pretty heavy the other week, and then Tuesdays every second week are also, DD is mostly finished by 2.15.
Clothing wise again something in between - the key thing seems to be cover, nothing short or holely or skin revealing ie must go down to below the knee, no slogans, must be sleeves, must not plunge or be see through. Are also being quite strict about it (but think that with it getting colder, the incentive for many of the violations will disappear - DD is thinking we will have to buy for next June/July as everything she has that fits the regulations are not suitable for warm weather, but she is trying to manage until it gets cooler as most of her winter wardrobe is fine)

MrsScrubbingbrush · 08/09/2022 15:36

MrsScrubbingbrush · 08/09/2022 12:17

Yesterday was a half day induction day for DDs.

The day started badly for DD1. Back in the middle of August we applied to upgrade her Oyster travel card to a 16+ card, after 2 weeks it still hadn't arrived (should have come in 3-5 days) so we requested a replacement. Yesterday morning it arrived, DD put £5 on it but it didn't work. Turns out that it was the original one (which took 3 weeks to come😡) with the Post Office on strike for the next 2 days hopefully the right one will come on Saturday.

Their college arranges tutor groups so that there is at least one other person in it that is doing the same course. Both DDs are doing French and have been put in the same tutor group. However DD1 is studying Biology & Chemistry whereas it appears that everyone else is studying humanities so she felt a bit isolated- nobody had any interest in her subjects. I'm sure the college had the best intentions putting DDs together but although the get on very well they are like chalk & cheese. DD1 is quiet and takes a while to get to know people, DD2 is very outgoing. Also, they have been in different groups/schools since Reception.

They have a 1:1 chat via teams with her tutor today so hopefully DD1 can request a change of tutor group so she's with more STEM based people. She doesn't want me to get involved at all!

Luckily, DD2 had a good day.

Things can only get better!

Poor DD1. The 1:1 call with her tutor cut out after a couple of minutes and she didn't get a chance to talk to her.

She's emailed her tutor with her concerns and hopefully she'll get back to her.

MirandaWest · 08/09/2022 18:57

@Rollergirl11 DDs school is quite similar - they have to be in school all day until half term no matter what lessons they have. I think that possibly on every other Friday when she literally has no lessons she may be able to stay at home but she needs to check this

They can wear whatever they want but it seems more rules are happening ie no strappy tops, no crop tops but not sure quite how much those will be kept to.

legosunqueen · 08/09/2022 21:38

@Rollergirl11 same set up at DS's sixth form, although after Christmas depending on performance & behaviour they will then be allowed to come home during free periods. DS only has had one free period so far & has not been set any homework so wasn't sure what to do! On Monday he only has one timetabled lesson so will need to sort out something to do that day. He said that other students during the free period today were doing their uncompleted bridging work...

The big change is being able to leave the site at break & lunch...I have suggested to DS today that Gregg's sausage rolls for lunch every day will get boring after a while

@MrsAvocet that's interesting about the driving lessons.

StColumbofNavron · 08/09/2022 22:46

Our school sixth form they are allowed to come and go according to their timetable. Currently, it’s quite packed and he just finished early a couple of days, but if he drops one it will be lighter. He said it’s all been introductory so far (though classics had homework). He’s also come with a list of things he needs, lever arch files - we held off to see how people were managing and teacher’s advice, I wondered if they all took laptops now or similar, but mostly not. He also needs a few text books.

zighead · 08/09/2022 22:51

My DS has to be in school full time but is now allowed to leave at lunch if he wants. Only one free period a week though as they have to fill their other periods with sport and extra curricular courses of their own choosing.
DS is already disliking physics and finding it too difficult so may look to swap if he can. Otherwise he will have to put up with it for the rest of year 12, so fingers crossed they'll let him change. No idea what to though!

MrsAvocet · 09/09/2022 00:12

My DS had a test in one of his subjects today.
I'm all for starting as you mean to go on but I thought that was a bit harsh on day 2

MirandaWest · 09/09/2022 06:55

DD has had an email from school saying she can study at home every other Friday where she has no lessons. I have to send an email but am happy to do that 😊

sheepdogdelight · 09/09/2022 08:53

DD is studying English/humanities and I'm from a maths/science background, but I'm finding the homework she's already been set to be really quite scary (though she seems unfazed). There seems to be a lot of research and self study (which I knew was coming, but thought they might phase them in a bit more gently). And she's gone in early today to work on a group project. Certainly they are having to hit the ground running!

DD is also starting a part time job, so she's getting to grips with that as well. Lots of things going on!