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.

Thanks@Sadtimes1 . Same here for my Dc. Prefers college to school. However still does not revise independently as required. Needs support and reminders. . @Rowgtfc72 its great to know Apprenticeship is working for your DD. Hope we will get there next year.

Thanks @Hopeforb and @Rowgtfc72 . I have spoken to the college and they have told me that DS will get some support in choosing a new course/apprenticeship after the half term so 🤞.

My daughters school have issued first set of predicted grades based on their exams last month. Seems so soon!

Oh my goodness, that does seem soon! I don't think DD has even done any tests yet.

Wow @Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky that is early
Mine has only done minor end of topic tests - definitely nothing you could predict final results on @BonjourCrisette

We also have had predicted grades, we had them before parents evening. We sit AS levels here so I guess it is to give them an idea on where they are and what work they need to doing before May.

@Sadtimes1 that sounds promising. Fingers crossed for him.

Thank you @Rowgtfc72 🤞, they often say these things so I am hoping that it actually happens this time 🤞🤞.
@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky @Monstermunchy My other DS is doing A levels, year 12, and has just received his predicted grades. He hasn’t even had mocks yet 🤦🏼‍♀️and we don’t do AS levels here. He also got ALP target grades based on his GCSE results, he was happier with these as they were slightly higher.

@Sadtimes1 it feels a bit meaningless doesnt it? My dc has had target grades based on GCSEs etc and while they’re good and all that, until he’s actually sat some proper tests they mean nothing!

@Monstermunchy absolutely! It can feel a bit demotivating as well. My DS is not happy with one of his predicted grades, he is happier with the ones based on his GCSE’s. It hasn’t helped him at all, made him feel that he is not doing well enough. He is working very hard, in fact I feel it’s a bit too much at times, they also need some down time.

Our predicted grades are based on 'proper' tests. They had what they call mini mocks in January which were one hour papers. But questions from previous a level papers. So basically a subset of an actual a level exam.

So has ds. They even set up getting results like on results day.

We’re expecting some predicted grades fairly soon. I think it’s useful in that it gives them a bit of a steer for which unis to look around, and which courses/subjects - but proper predicted UCAS grades will be those from their summer mocks or possibly later.

No predicted grades here yet - she has target grades which I assume are based on GCSEs. DD is doing the IB rather than A levels, not sure if that makes a difference.

DC1 gets her first set of predicted grades in March, following some exams and assessments in the last week of February. They have been keen to highlight that these are not set in stone, but are designed to give the students an early indication of what options might be available to them. The form tutors have started to encourage them to think more seriously about university options, particularly anyone who might need an early UCAS application. It’s a massive college so I think they need to be organised to get all the references sorted.

@Sadtimes1 DC1 is doing a bit less well than she’d like at the moment, and I suspect she may get predicted grades a little lower than she'd want. The learning and assessment style of GCSEs rather suited her (lots to learn but not too much depth), so her "target grades" are very high, and I think she’s taking a while to adjust to A-Levels. Although this slight disappointment hasn’t yet gone as far as motivating her to increase studying – she’s still spending an awful lot of time dicking about gaming when she could be working. Apparently half-term is going to be spent “either working or sleeping” – we’ll see .

still spending an awful lot of time dicking about gaming when she could be working.

I’m sure this sums it up for many of us, @TheTurn0fTheScrew ! Though I am pleasantly surprised to see work going on sometimes when I think DS is gaming.

Well my daughter's a little concerned.Turns out the mini mocks determine who will get extra support from school for oxbridge applications. One of her subjects gave actual grade as predicted not a 'prediction' so it's tracking lower than she would expect for a ucas grade.

In another subject despite getting 100% in the mock she was only predicted an a not a star.

She just needs to wait and see what band they put her in but she's feeling a little down.

I am hoping it's based on overall performance not just the mini mock.

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky that must be disappointing for her. Ds predicted grades were slightly lower than hoped, he is not going to get A* though i think. He has said if he gets all A in the summer then he will give Oxford a go but he is certainly not seen as a candidate by the school at the moment. I would get her to speak to the school. It feels so early for them to have their confidence knocked.

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky it’s tough isn’t it. I hope that it all works out for your DC.
My DS is predicted A’s except for Maths which is a B (ALP is A). Maths is their favourite subject and they work really hard. It’s demotivated them a bit as they can’t really do much more. The school have said that their attitude to learning is excellent so I know that they are trying. If anything I feel they can be too focused on school work.
@TheTurn0fTheScrew my other DS spends all his time gaming, he has never been able to work at home. He couldn’t care less about his grades. Having severe dyslexia he has always struggled academically.
Ime UCAS predicted grades are generally a little higher to allow students the best possible chance of getting the uni that they want.

@mumonthehill @Sadtimes1 thank you.

She desperately wants to apply - GCSE's were straight 9's so I really hope they take other general performance into account. It just seems like the teachers have approached their grading differently - there was also no indication of this before them so just feels a bit harsh.

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky Surely your DC will be identified as a good bet for Oxbridge if she has GCSE results like that?

But even if not, she can still apply regardless of where the school is targeting its energy. My DC’s college has a few high achievers' tutor groups, with the aim of encouraging applications to the top universities. However they are very clear that all students, not just those who have been identified by the school, are welcome to attend any talks/outreach/extension activities aimed at this cohort, and ask for additional support in trying to secure their desired university place.

@TheTurn0fTheScrew I would assume so but she seems adamant it's predicted grades only.

Just need to wait and see I guess.

@Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky is it confusion over the predicted grades being used for the actual application? I’d be very surprised if a straight 9 GCSE student didn’t get chosen. Ime the school will look at the students fairly early, through GCSE’s etc, to identify the ones that they will help with Oxbridge applications. 2 of my children have been chosen and their grades are very slightly less than all 9’s (A*’s with a few A’s). Subjects chosen for A level will obvs make a difference, Maths seems to be one of the harder ones to achieve top grades in.
Hopefully, your DC will be chosen 🤞.

@Sadtimes1 she was picked in y10 and did the y11 trip / extras. But apparently this select starts from scratch. I'm hoping she has just got confused. I never usually speak to the school but I did say to her I would if she didn't make the list as I think she's capable.

She's a humanities person. Dislikes maths & science.

That's great. Wishing you and your DS all the best!