Y12 2023/24 - support, discussion and looking after each other

[BonjourCrisette]

GCSEs are over and we are beginning the next stage. Let's hope it's a bit less stressful than this summer has been! All welcome to discuss, share experiences and support each other as our children move into Y12/BTECs/apprenticeships and start a new phase.

No mention of predicted grades here yet either...

They will be target grades rather than predicted grades. Ds has them.

DS has had a baseline maths test, but the first real assessment is going to be in January.

DS has target grades for Physics and Chemistry (AA), but not yet for Maths. His Sixth Form use a combination of GCSE grades and the ALIS test (which I think assess academic potential).

DD did the ALIS test but I don't think they share the results with pupils or parents.

The ALIS results haven't been shared with us or DS just used to inform his target grades.

DC1’s college has not hung about with subject tests and assessments, which makes sense given that it’s 16-19, so all the students are new, and from dozens of schools across the region. The tests are pass/fail though – just getting a feel for who’s done what and where the learning needs seem to be for individuals and for classes more generally. They haven’t yet discussed target or predicted grades, and I don’t think they use any non-subject specific assessments (I’m guessing ALIS is that kind of thing???)

Ah, same as us (except we haven't got target grades and I am not sure they give them at all).

I think it's some kind of aptitude test to measure ability in a few different areas. Apparently this can be correlated with likely grades and used to identify who might need support in a particular area. But I don't really know as the first I heard of it was a few weeks ago!

Right got the answer tonight at the online parents information evening for about 600 of us. It's a very big college . The target grades are based on GCSE'S average score so hat will have dropped them. The teacher predicted grades after the first formal assessment will be more accurate. Lots of tests weekly here bit no Aptitude Test that she's mentioned

DS was surprised to see target grades on the college app before he even started! He is doing 2 new subjects so I'm not sure what they based them on unless it is his gcse average grade. Although his target for 1 is an A and the other a B so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Ds just been to visit a friend from his old school, most of his year went to the college and he said today that they all now do not want to speak to him as he chose a different school. It has made me sad for him even though he is so enjoying his new sixth form.it was obviously right for him to move on but kids are so horrible.

"ALIS" and "CAT4" are two rival IQ-type tests which claim to predict A-level success. The target-grade systems also take GCSE grades and national trends into account. I would take them both with a large pinch of salt.

Oh that’s mean @mumonthehill - I’d have thought they should have grown out of that sort of thing by now - but glad he’s enjoying his new sixth form. Onwards and upwards

DD has come with lots of fresher's week freebies. There was a petting zoo! But she was too late getting to the stall that was giving away glow in the dark sperm-shaped earrings, and had to go without.

Dc Chemistry teacher is leaving this week. Not a good start. I really hope they get a replacement soon. It's such a tough subject I don't want any gaps in their learning.

But she was too late getting to the stall that was giving away glow in the dark sperm-shaped earrings, and had to go without.

😁My DD came home with a glow in the dark sperm shaped keyring which she has proudly attached to her college lanyard! Also enjoyed free pizza and ice cream but didn't actually sign up for any clubs. She is so tired because it is such a long day that she's using any free time during the day for homework so that she can go to bed early. Plus she's never walked so far on a daily basis (goes between two campuses with a steep hill in between).

@mumonthehill - that's so mean and unnecssary!! Honestly, you'd think they'd be a bit more mature by now.

Thank you everyone. I think it has bothered me more than him! On another note he had 3 lessons cancelled today as teachers have got covid...,,,

DD's school also appears to be covid-ridden. She's had absolutely loads of cover lessons (none totally cancelled so far, though).

So my dc Chemistry teacher has left already 😑 so they're having to move things around. It's a shame they can't get a new teacher soon enough for them to just slot in the timetable as it is now. I've looked on next week's and now on a Tues 2 subjects over lap. Only by half an hour so one one Subject finishes at 3pm but he's meant to be at another at 2.30 so would be half a hour late. I always think the first part of each lesson and the last part where they set the work are the most important so I'm abit concerned. Is this something that happens or should they make sure nothing overlaps?

I’ve never known lessons overlap - our sixth form timetable is 5 fixed periods as it was through school- that doesn’t sound ideal at all - hope they sort it out soon @Letskeepgoing

Dd has just completed her first month of her mechanics apprenticeship. She's definitely shattered, it's a long day 830am- 5pm with half hour unpaid dinner. She has lots of uniform and has been told she fits in really well. She has a mentor but works with the other mechanics too and generally comes home filthy so she's getting stuck in.
She has 3 offers of lifts when it's wet and management keep them supplied with cake.
Was paid £844 on Monday which is a step up from her £40 a month pocket money.
She's signed up for Calax college but that won't start online for a couple of weeks.
Only bugbear is the actual college is 3 hrs drive away and she's expected to attend for 3 days every 6 weeks. Work will drive her there and pay for her hotel. I'm just very twitchy about my 16 yr old daughter being alone, 3 hours away, with no responsible adult to contact in a hotel full of men. There's a bar and a pool and she'll be fed but still- if she was at college there would be dbs checks, an adult present etc. I feel she's being thrown into a bit of an iffy situation.
The other two male apprentices are together an hour away from home.

Do parents still get involved at this stage. I was thinking of ringing up or should I get my son to sort it out....?

I feel like it’s ok for a parent to email or call to ask what’s happening - especially if your son either feels awkward asking or isn’t sure who to ask.
We had a meeting at school last week and they reiterated that they wanted it to be a partnership between parents and school and I didn’t get the feeling that they expected the kids to sort everything out themselves. I’d want to ask.