Year 12 - 2025/2026: Here we go again!

[QueenMabby]

A new thread for the new school and college year. A friendly thread for parents of those going into year 12 in September 2025.

Nottingham used to score it 50% GCSEs and 50% UCAT. This year it’s something like 39% GCSEs and the rest split across UCAT and SJA, with verbal reasoning scoring double points - that doesn’t work in her favour either as likely to be her weaker section of the UCAT.

She’s hoping for 2pt uplift to a 7 and I’m secretly hoping for an 11 pt uplift to an 8! She has 4 x 9 and 4 x 8 already (and 2 x 7 but they don’t count) so she’s down at least 3 pts whatever English lang turns out to be. She got an 8 in English lit so if they’d accept that instead then she’d be 99998888 and only down 4 pts, but even that might be too low to be worth the risk.

Is your young person wanting to do medicine too?

No there’s no medicine aspirations here! I have a LOT of GP / surgeon / consultant friends and DD1 & DD2 have friends currently studying medicine. A couple weren’t accepted initially but are now doing post grad route following a biomedical degree. If she’s absolutely adamant that’s the only career for her she will find her way regardless of a 6 in English gcse.

Thanks! Just reread your post and so didn’t answer your question - she was predicted an 8 in English lang. English lit prediction was only a 5/6 so she had a couple of sessions with a tutor and ended up 4 marks off a 9! In fact all 4 of her 8s were within 5 marks of the 9, we’re waiting on her teachers coming back next week to see if she should go for a remark on any of those (particularly the close ones) as those couple of grades could make all the difference!

She’s adamant about medicine and said she will keep applying each year until she gets in. I sometimes think deferring a year would benefit her as she is summer born and the extra year of maturing would be beneficial, but she is keen to try in yr 13.

Mmmm maybe ask the the HE thread bc I’m not sure if a gap year is necessarily helpful for a medicine application - for a lot of stem subjects they don’t like a year away (esp anything mathsy) but as I say I’m less sure re medicine. I don’t know anyone who’s taken a year out. Caveat is DD1’s friend who did an intercalated year of neuroscience but that was midway through her medical degree. Blew my mind!! Certainly wasn’t a gap year! She found the year a bit hard (she doesn’t find anything hard!) got top 1% in the ucat so make of that what you will. From the DCs we know they tend to do 4 medicine applications and 1 biomed incase none of the 4 come through. I also think those 4 need to be tactical with at least one none popular uni. Defo can’t waste one on Nottingham if there’s zero chance.

There are some very useful FB groups (e.g. WIWIKAU) which discuss applications for med school often being a 2-year process.

Yeah I started doing things in my local area/schools, and then more established youth boards for an exam board and then different youth events/politics events for youth, from there it's quite hard to give set advice because it's so different for many people and there's no direct paths - which I also think favours those with family connections etc. Though I think more organisations which work in education (and other fields) are realising the benefit if youth boards, and so there's more of them now, which definitely helps. I did History, Politics, Sociology and English Lit A-levels, and I'm still doing my History and Politics degree.

From my youth board, I was lucky lots of the staff who worked on the company used to work in Politics, civil service etc and still had plenty of friends who also did. That gave me connections which was nice because I didn't have them otherwise. I will say all the board etc I've gotten on were open applications - so try to be vigilant for those, LinkedIn is good for that and then the direct websites of companies as well. From there I made some connection, my advice for that is just being bold, you just have to ask people, oh I was wondering if x, do you know anybody who does y?

From there I started working with a non-profit education charity/policy board(which I directly applied to and still work with) and we do all sorts from working with lots of different trusts and schools, doing events, consulting with exam boards, DfE work, other education policy groups, also building lots of skills like reports, KPIs, reporting to trustees etc. Then I'd say go to events like parry conferences, (Labour and Conservative both have youth zones, so good for meeting people etc). So now I just get to do a mix of different things and sometimes, both from searching for opportunities myself and now knowing people who get in contact with me, it's hard to balance but I'd try and yes to as much things as you can, I'm trying to go into a different area (in the next few years, for my grad career if I get what I want), as much as I love educational policy etc it probably won't be my long-term career but I do love policy work in general and may come back to it.

The civil service fast stream has a policy stream (so there's like up to 10 I think different streams you can do), and they also do an internship during university which if you can get is really good and will fast-track you for the graduate scheme application. Also think-tanks are great for internships, work experience (so I'd try and look for any online, and ask anyone at the organisations she's at about who they know) and try and get experience that way as well.

So then, you just have to go to as many events as possible, meet people, and be slightly bold - just ask for the experience, ask for the work, the more you do, the easier it is, because 1. You'll have more experience/people will know you've done x and 2. You'll find more connections.

Many people applying for medicine do, do gap years, because of the competition, so it's not uncommon at all, with the amount of people I know who didn't get in first try and are now in med school - if it's what she wants I'd definitely say to keep on pushing. You can also do the 5th application as something like pharmacy, diagnostic radiography and biomed as well.My sister did take a gap year, and worked as HCA during it as well as some travel (though she didn't apply in Y13), and is also planning to intercalated to do a masters and then go back to med (though it normally has to be between y3 and y4).

We live close to a hospital so a year as an HCA could be a great option for my DD.

On an unrelated subject, I have sent you a DM to do with another post of yours I saw earlier in the thread - hope you don’t mind. I didn’t want to put it in this thread as it is unrelated!

We live in a city so the local council has one (advertised periodically via their socials) and DD is on one for the local theatre group

Amazing, thank you so much for your response, lots of info to think about.
DD has buckets of confidence with strangers and is quite well known in her circles for her ability to get up and contribute or give a speech so hoping this will go well for her.

Morning all!
Wondered if there was a new thread in further education @QueenMabby thanks for easy link!

Been in Paris all week so just caught up.

Ratty thinking of talking through whether he changes chemistry to comp sci A’level and wants to add further maths. We shall see. (I think changing to comp sci is a mistake but it’s his life)

He seems quite unRatty at the moment, which is a good thing obviously. We think he was part of the first sweep of admissions for his college, which seems to have reassured him, and as we didn’t have a plan B a relief!

I have to go in on induction day Thursday for his 10 minute 1-1 in the morning. Why? I mean I will, he really doesn’t want me there (you and me both sister :-) ) but best show willing I guess.

He plans on “more independent study” - good
and has promised not to flake year 12 like he did year 10 - also good - also “it’s your predicted grades that gives you your uni choices band” - so let’s just accept there will be some teething issues.

I am only going to order text books for maths and physics for now.

He starts “for real” Monday 8th, so a week of easing back into it all, and Little goes back to year 10 Wednesday, which seems early and unfair as he had to go to July 22nd I think, “I don’t set holiday dates”

(not heard back from school about English language will send, get him to send, a nudge email tomorrow)

@frozendaisy

Morning!!! Oooohhhh, how was Paris?! My sister lives there and I should use it as an excuse to go more often 😈!

Ratty being unRatty is great!! I don’t know much about the change in A’ Level choice, I guess it depends on what he wants to do long term. Does he have a concrete idea, yet? Maybe it’s Sunday morning mood, but I’m confused by the first sweep thing??!

🤷‍♀️😹😹😹as to the induction 1-1… I thought we were all banished at this point?! I did have a chat with ALS when I was in on enrolment day, but it was just DS registering. It did tickle me, what you said ! I can imagine how that chat would go down 😹! I hope you have a hoot!

Bring on the Independent study, too!! Go Ratty!! You got this!!!!!!

Yep, we’ve not heard about Eng Lang either yet. Ratty to chase tomorrow! First on his TDL! 😈😹!

Happy you’re back!!

@Sisublondie first sweep means he was sent his acceptance email in the first group. So even with his 5 in Eng Lang all was sweet. The college indicated it could take a few days to go through applications once actual results were in and if students had to reconsider subject choices (because of grades initially), but as he at that point only wanted to add an A'level (further maths) not change (chemistry to comp sci (still a maybe)) he admission was straight forward because he got his grades and wasn't changing. He was always going to ask to add a 4th A'Level on his application you could only put 3 down.

Take advantage of a place to stay in Paris! The city has really been updated (assuming for the Olympics last year we last went 2023). There is loads of Revolution History, art, philosophy, maths, whatever you are into. We spent a good hour in Luxemburg Park watching the locals play tennis under the dappled tree shade. Lovely. I lived off French Onion Soup and we found an amazing Boulangerie where Little basically went through the breakfast pastries one by one! The (white) wine was all lovely and you can just watch the world go by when your mum isn't dragging you to see poignant paintings). Didn't get to Jim Morrison's grave, but there's always next visit.

I thought we were banished as well! It was in the email, that for 10 minutes in the middle of the morning it was requested (not compulsory as short notice etc) if a parent could be present for the initial 1-1, probably just to confirm that we will support him to do what the college asks? Who knows? He was gutted, I was gutted, but it's 10 minutes and if we don't go then they will grab us one evening in October, so as I can go I might as well and leave the October evening slots for parents who are unable to make next week. I will report back!

Hope things all in place for the pending entry into college. It's a fresh start for many, and our college, and many, are not as prescriptive as school 6th forms, and suit some learners better, plus Ratty's college is very relaxed about clothing, nothing you know see-through, but trainers and hoodies allowed. (The back up school 6th form was basically school uniform including shoes, without tie and blazer which was less appealing).

I have just ordered Maths text books as the Chemistry is £32 so best wait and see if he is actually taking it first eh!

And as for independent study, just shown him his bridging booklet for physics (you know his whole reason for existing) and said "so have you logged into the account and done the tasks set that are due in for tomorrow" (and in real tomorrow tomorrow) you know after having most of July and all of August to go through.

Rabbit in headlights "erm I'm not sure I'll have to check" and as we have a bunch of them around this afternoon he will be logging in a 10pm no doubt.

Not the best start. (He has done some bridging work on paper) so baby steps but will need to get him organised I think a bit from the start and make sure he at least knows what's on his list of things to do. FFS! Here we go again!

Hah! That is us too...

"Have you logged into the portal and done the suggested work?"

"WHAAATTTT.... there's work?"

Happily it's "we suggest you look at..." rather than things to be handed in, and DD has actually done all of it previously so she doesn't really need to look at it, but she should have blooming looked!

I’m feeling a bit nervous for DD…
She enrols at her new school 6th form tomorrow (properly starts Wed). I’m guessing it’ll only take an hour or so. She should get her choices as they’ve remained unchanged since initially applying and has the requisite grades. She had to email in some of the bridging work several weeks ago but there’s still a couple of pieces of work to take in. It is all completed though. It’s going to be such a change for us both / from a small all girls indie since yr3 (so 9 years at same school) to a much larger mixed state!

Similar change here @NotDonna but I regret not moving for 6th form and everyone I know who did move, didn't regret it.

It's that Sunday night feeling x 100.

Huge good luck to her - I think 6th form is so different that all of them will be feeling like newbies. I know that those staying on at DD's huge comp are feeling like that - although they are dropping down from 450 in a year to 200. Plus new buildings, new 'uniform', new rules etc.

Hopefully it will all go well and she'll have a fab 2 years.

Are a lot of your DD's classmates staying or are most of them off to pastures new?

Good luck the tomorrow people.
Hope they have a positive day

Good luck everyone! DD starts on Wednesday, and still hasn’t decided on her fourth A level. She has just gone upstairs to do some more of the bridging work…

Meanwhile, I have machine washed her rucksack (there was actual black sludge in it: rotten fruit I think) and we have thrown out exercise books and paper going back to Year 7. DCat1 is sleeping on the pile of obsolete uniform.

@TheyNotLikeUs good luck to your DC too. Do they know ppl going to the new school? DD met a girl at the taster day who’s well established but doesn’t know any new starters & she’s not sure if the girl she met will be ‘around’. Luckily DD is super friendly so fingers crossed. Huge good luck to yours!

@OhCrumbsWhereNow I think there’s a fair few leaving for pastures new but no one joining her in her new pasture. Out of the 6 in her small friendship group only 2 are staying at the school. I think 2/3rds leaving is more than usual, but I don’t know if that’s across the whole cohort. Lots always say they’re going to college etc but then don’t. This year college was full so ppl have looked elsewhere too. Albeit we had an email last week saying the college now has spaces for certain subjects - none were DDs and she’s committed to the new school now.

Best of luck to those starting tomorrow! Dd starts on Wednesday but has her bag packed already! She has just told me that her games tracksuit is too small though! Have ordered new trousers but they’ve replaced the usual zip up with a 3/4 zip fleece which she refuses to wear so she’s going to have to squeeze into her old top for a bit longer! It won’t arrive before Wednesday which will be her first games session but it should be warm enough for her to just wear her skort.

She just having the overthinking spiral as to whether to move her “blazer bling” from her year 11 blazer to her suit jacket or whether that would look too “try hard” for the first week!

@ChannelLightVessel oh my goodness books from yr7!!! I’m nagging DD to get rid of her yr10/11 stuff. AND rub the history & chemistry notes from the wall. I live amongst hoarders!

@frozendaisy

Ah, gotcha! Well, thank God he didn’t have to wait for acceptance- and the pesky 5 was all ok! Good that he’s managed to add his further maths. Is he excited to start….and, has he started the bridging booklet for physics, or are his mates still round?! 🙄😹….

I should! She’s been there for years now, was a lot easier when we lived in NW London, as easy Met Line to St Pancras and train! Not so easy from here. Oh, it absolutely sounds like it has changed since I last went ( one horror story way back, was on my own, with satanic DSs at the time, in an apartment of designer goods and white linen sofas!, culminating in our worst ever twin row, just where you would have been calmly having French onion soup, watching tennis, trying to shimmy them along to said poignant paintings! Least there was cold Vouvray after we’d calmed down! ( well, it was still HER fault! 😈😹!)). Yep, I still haven’t got to his grave, yet! In over 20 years! I’ll get there… he’s not going anywhere… 🙄😻!

Oh, I would totally go ahead on Thursday! Hateful, obvs, and it would obviously be MY fault, but better that, than the proverbial sword hanging over for 6 weeks!

Good that Ratty’s college doesn’t have some nasty ass uniform in place! DS has a “ uniform” of a hoody, T shirt and cargo trousers, on his course. I think he’s happy! , in that a- he has no choice, and with his ASD he wastes no time in wasting energy over stuff he can’t control, and b- it will give him less ( ie, NO) decisions to make first thing, so, what’s not to love?! 🤷‍♀️😻!

£32!! yes, DO wait for that!! Reminds me of the cost of books for my LLB and Masters. Yeh, you can buy the out of date ones for cheaper…. But, I’d forget precedents had changed, and no such thing as t’internet to update me!
Speaking of text books, I have a pile in DS room that were barely touched as “ all on line, mother!”…

Well, stressing about tomorrow now. It looks like our dry run was from the wrong bus stop. It’s hammering it down here, so I’m currently deciding whether to go now, or at 7am to find out!! 😈🙀!

Hope your eve going well! ( and physics bridging done ) 😸

Good luck to everyone's DC this week. My dd not back until Friday!

Can I ask...did most DC pick to do an EPQ? My dd picked core maths rather than an epq, but all her friends picked epq.