Year 13 2026/2027: Support Thread 1

[QueenMabby]

Sorry - I was not on it on getting new thread open. I hope you all find this one! I’ve updated the
year as we’re basically at the end of year 12 now. Scary!

Yes, DD using Uplearn for Physics and definitely recommends it.

Dd and ds currently using UpLearn (Biology and physics) as part of an access to university course (provided for them). They both say its good ds marks went up two grades when used for revision. The only issue is with the biology it doesn't cover all topics that are on the syllabus and dd ended up learning some stuff not needed and some bits she could have done with are not covered. So if its specifically about a certain area of physics I'd double check its included.

@Lookupdontlookleft @CreamBeforeJamOnScones thank you both that sounds encouraging .. looks like there is a 3 day trial so we can have a good look

@waitingquietly my DD1 used it for economics during Covid due to lack of online teaching and got an Astar. Then DD2 used it also for economics as had no teacher (long story) and was one mark from an Astar. It is time consuming though as it makes them go over things until they get it right. They both enjoyed the style so wasn’t too much of a chore. Sadly they don’t offer DD3’s subjects otherwise she’d defo consider it for one of hers.

Thanks for the UpLearn recommendation- any recommendations for something similar for geography? DS Loved it at GCSE level but not so much at A level and grades are suffering (B instead of predicted A star)

Hello everyone - checking in - it's achangeofname here but I accidentally used an old name on this thread and now can't use it. Just been reading through everything - so sorry for those with AS stress, sounds very difficult and a bit unfair they had to do it to be honest. So much pressure in Year 12 when it's nice to have a year off results for you and parents. Hope you're all working through it and staying sane.

DD has been working on her composition and EPQ somewhat mulishly over the summer but we are getting there. I think results day spooked her as not all of her friends got what they expected, but she's off at choir now for a week. Her cousin was practising for the ESAT while we were on hols, which looked tough.

Uplearn sounds so interesting. I'm not finding much that can help DD in the same way in her subjects sadly. DD1 used to use tassomai for science and it did at least prevent the overwhelm of not knowing where to start on revision.

I've been dabbling in app development recently (I'm a journo really but it's an interesting hobby) and I'm creating her a couple of apps for History and Music because there's nothing adaptive which maps to the curriculum. whether she'll use them because Mum has made them is another matter!

So cool to be able able to develop your own apps!!!

two questions about UpLearn. Is one subscription for one subject only and can a login be shared on two or three computers? I have a Y10, a Y12 and a Y13 so sharing logins and/or having full access (all subjects) would be very convenient!!! Thanks

we certainly managed that with savemyexams @Placestogo so fingers crossed.

If a decent app existed for Edexcel history I'd be using it rather than sweating over producing my personal version of history Duolingo!

No for up learn it’s per subject per board pricing unfortunately but you do get a reduction if doing more than 1 subject

@Placestogo you couldn’t have 3 kids doing the same course using the same login either as it’d mess up the progress each had made. They’d need their own log ins. But your eldest could do the course initially and give the 2nd kid a discount code for their course etc. You may ask around and see if anyone has a discount code too.

Hello, am I in the right place? Only child going into year 13 in September?

Yes @StPancreas, or at least I hope so because mine are going into Yr13 and I've been hanging out here

Oh that’s good 😊 thank you.

Three A levels, two arts subjects where she doesn’t mind the workload but doesn’t like the lack of creativity. One essay subject where she can’t remember the content and is overwhelmed.

Doesn’t want university but will try for an art foundation or something similar.

I feel I’m missing out by not knowing everything about the ucas process

Hi @StPancreas and welcome. You’re definitely in the right place!

If she’s looking for creative further study then there’s a couple of threads on ‘higher education’ I think, but check ‘further education’ too, that are very focussed on creative degrees and/or conservatoire programmes. I know nothing about them but could be worth a read to get up to speed as the process is all about having portfolios.

@StPancreas if it’s ucas you feel you need to get your head around then their website is actually very good! Plus ask here; some of us may know !!

Thanks. I’ll look at other threads.

It’s difficult to know how involved to get in it all. I know my parents didn’t at all, and all my school did was provide prospectuses.

Is everyone’s YP having a good summer? Mines been working a lot and not having enough fun! NO A level work going on.

Dd has been busy too. Mostly music related. We did get away for a week on holiday though and she went to the IBO for a week last month which was in Lithuania which was fun.
Next week she needs to crack on. She has school work to do, a biology test to revise for and her personal statement to finalise.
From my experience with ds, year 13 goes very quickly. I’m braced!

DS1 has written 100 words of his personal statement after trying for about 3 weeks . We brain stormed together and I thought he had plenty to sell himself . I think though he’s intimidated by some he’s read online and some shared by teachers .

He had started revising for his exams when back in school as they will firm up predicted grades

We’ve been away for a week and he’s been to the gym and driving around a bit . Wish he was out and about with friends - but he just isn’t

DD2 has had a very busy active summer including 2 weeks work experience with a tech start up which she managed to get at a party by begging the right people. The tech start up have offered her a job after A levels and have given an amazing and detailed reference letter. She said she wants to try for a degree apprenticeship, hates exams and just loves real work! But she is still going to do LNAT and apply to Oxford. There is a bit of a pattern of FOMO and spreading herself too thin. She should just be focussing on getting top graded and one path, but I guess that would just be too rationale. Her personal statement is currently double the length it should be! And a mix of who she actually is and the pseudo intellectual she believes Oxford wants her to be. I am not getting involved, it’s pointless.

How amazing for your DD @Araminta1004!

DS has done nothing all summer. He’s had to bring his iPad on holiday because he still has summer work to do. I suspect it’ll get done on the Tuesday before he goes back (we fly home on the Monday). A lot of his friends got their A level maths results last week and didn’t get what they’d hoped for - I think taking an A level in year 12 didn’t work well because they struggled to find the motivation to revise and weren’t quite ready. Quite a few are having to drop FM and resit maths as a result. DS is glad he opted to move it to next year and put up with going over the whole Y13 curriculum again at half the speed alongside studying FM. He’s admitted his laziness means he wouldn’t have done the work needed. His laziness also means he’s not sure he’s going to sit the ESAT and apply to Imperial. That pleases me, both from a cost & distance perspective but also I don’t think he’d fit well in London. It was purely the reputation that appealed.

Like @otherthoughtssareavailable little has been done here either.