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.

Exeter Uni is a nice campus and the city is pretty good I know it well from work stuff. Been to a few events there too at the theatre and great hall. Nice outdoor summer swimming pool as well, and not far from the beach’s easily accessible by train/bus. You don’t need a car to get around if staying in Exeter, cycle routes and buses ok.

Ds has passed his test but insurance was scary! I will say he also does a sport and has an event tomorrow and needs to leave at 5am, it is glorious not to have to get up anymore!!

Good luck to all DC who are resitting for English and Maths. DC wants to do higher tier maths ( has achieved grade 4 in GCSE foundation tier maths last year). Does anyone know about maths summer camps or summer school based in London. It should be face to face. Please advice.

I don’t know any maths summer camps but the free resources on MathsGenie and CorbettMaths are really good.

Thank you, my DS has his 2nd English paper on Thursday. I am keeping everything crossed as he is not big on revision 🤞🤞.
Sorry, I don’t know any info on summer camps. What is the reason for retake?

@Sadtimes1 I feel maths is important and DS likes it compared to other subjects which require writing. Since DS is doing BTec in IT, it is less overwhelming and has more time, so I thought it's right time

That’s good, all mine favour Maths as well. It’s great that he already has a pass. My DS had the choice of foundation or higher, chose foundation and got a 5, so not sure if that was the right choice. He is also going to study level 3 IT, changed his mind on the course he wasn’t allowed to start last year due to failing English (severe dyslexia).
Good luck to your DS!

@Sadtimes1 Thank you. BTEC IT is good and more practical. DS is on high functioning ASD and slightly behind his age group but likes maths and higher tier carries more weight in comparison to foundation tier when it comes to applying for further studies ( that is my understanding/ opinion). Good luck to your DS too!

Just had dd maths end of year mock back 1 mark of a D. She's in bits, not sure what to do. She's a high levle student normally nothing below a 7 at GCSE'S. Had he sights on science degree at good uni. Chem and bio results still awaited but normally good. Really not sure what to do or even if she can continue with maths. I think she needs all 3 levels in one go so restarting and doing another alevlel maybe not an option. Any thought on how i guide her. Last maths mock previous both c's last one 2 mark off a b . Any thoughts???

@jamimmi
Can you afford tutoring?
It can make a big difference in maths

I'm just wondering about that. Anyone recommend a good online tutor

elder ds got an E in maths in year 12, it is so difficult. He made the decision to resit the year, drop maths and do geography instead. It was hard but it was the best thing he did. I would see what her other results are and talk to the school. Ds went on to do a science degree and is just finishing his masters. There is hope!

Thanks for that, she is good at geography oddly 9 at gcse, but doesn't like like it. As you say lest seen what her other grades are and go from there . Did he change all his subjects? I will tell her it's possible to move forward

@jamimmi i was told 30+yrs ago that I’d never pass Alevel maths within a few weeks of starting it at Alevel despite getting A at gcse. I had to work very hard and used to go see the other maths teacher regularly at lunch time to explain stuff I didn’t understand how the other teacher taught stuff at all! I got a C in the end. If your DD wants it she’s got time to increase that grade but will need input. There’s loads of stuff around now online it really depends how she learns best and one size doesn’t fit all. I’m home edding our youngest now through GCSEs and trying out different resource providers to see whose style suits her. Ask her what she wants to do? I can find some of the resources we’ve using but you maybe best finding someone local in person if she has specific areas of weakness.

We’ve been using “maths genie” for gcse found them a really good resource and they do over Alevel maths you would need to check the syllabus though.

Hi thanks @SummerChilling I think part of the issue is she and rhe current maths teachers way of teaching don't click
She has some SEN with processing issues but normally copes . We need a long chat over the next few days . I rally just needed some MN support form you all

Yes finding the right teacher is a big part of it, the reason we’ve been forced into HomeEd our youngest is she’s autistic & I think ADHD, but the classic quiet maths / science female couldn’t cope at all in mainstream. There’s loads of different ways to learn depending if she likes recorded video lessons you can pause or live lessons via zoom or just unusual different you tube folk - plus online school providers - finding a style that clicks with her can unlock that learning potential- Id get her to have a look at different resources online over the summer plus look together at the syllabus to see what sections she’s covered and which she’s struggling with the concepts. Once you start looking honestly there’s loads of stuff out there.

@jamimmi no he kept chem and biology, he had already dropped physics! He was a straight A* student at gcse so it was a huge shock to him and us but he picked himself up and dod really well in the end.

@mumonthehill currently telling dd this, it has helped! Thanks

@jamimmi could it possibly just be a one off and that the mock contained material that DD hadn’t been taught yet/wasn’t fully understanding. It seems out of line with her other marks. My DS is doing Maths A level and normally scores highly but for one exam didn’t do well at all and it was because of the above reasons. He went to the teachers and they sorted it out. Ime Maths is one of the hardest A levels and one of the biggest jumps up from GCSE, that’s why schools normally set so much summer work. DS is always doing extra work and past papers for maths.
I have just asked my DS and apart from the text book, they find Physics and Maths Tutor online very helpful, they also use Maths genie. They have access to Uplearn but don’t like it.
I agree with a pp that a tutor is a good call if it’s possible. My DS got an 8 at GCSE and has a friend who got a 6, the friend is now getting similar marks to DS as they have a tutor. It has made a real difference to them.

My eldest DS did a science degree, masters and is now doing a PHD. They didn’t do maths A level so your DD could always start yr 12 again with a new subject/s if that is what they would prefer.
Good luck, it can be so tough for them.

@Sadtimes1 thanks for your detailed reply, I will talk to her about that now she has recovered a bit. I don't thinknit was new work but apparently she did panic during the exam. I'm thinking tutor as she feels sh needs someone to go over it with her and explain it more clearly. Apparently her teacher is off for the nest 2 weeks so the class are being taught by another teacher I'm waiting to see if she finds them.easier to understand before asking if she can move classes. It's a huge collage. I don't think up lern is for her bit will suggest the other resources. She has no desire to do maths at uni looking at chemistry and pharmacology

@jamimmi I am sure that you are aware, but as you mentioned Sen, there are exam provisions that can be put in place such as extra time, quiet room, prompt to continue work if distracted or zoned out etc. May be worth considering if not already in place.

@Sadtimes1 thanks yes we are aware. She gets extra time but on chatting last night it came out she's struggling with focusing and concentration more and it's worsening. I think due to anxiety and she panicked in the exam. The time.is for processing issues which were not pick up till year 11 but this combined with a few other traits is starting to make me.wonder if she has some neurodiversity issues , not picked up as she's female and high functioning. I think she wondering too as she has alot of neuro diverse friends who are her people!

@jamimmi diagnosis is a mixed blessing having gone down that route with our youngest. It feels like a label but doesn’t open many doors just helps explain why she sometimes struggles more. If it is ADHD then meds do help some but can take time to get them right. Learning techniques to help with focus and sprints in learning maybe helpful at this stage. My DD needs to intersperse movement with focussed learning - it’s interesting as I’m not diagnosed but use a sit stand desk for work & when I lose my focus I move around a lot more!. I even do yoga if I’m on a long work call but can go off camera 🤣. I also exercise early in the morning to release that adrenaline I need to focus at work, then have a walk at lunch time as well. My DD will often sit bouncing on a yoga ball whilst doing her work. I hope you find what works for her to reach her potential.

That's actually really interesting, she is always calmer and more focused following dance classes. I midnight suggest she tries some barre work every 30 mins to help at home