Anyone still waiting to hear from Durham?

[PortusCale]

Just wondered if anyone else is waiting to hear from Durham for an offer for 2019 entry?

See that offer holder day bookings are now open and I understand college allocation has begun.

DS still waiting here, DS application went through in November.....does this mean a rejection will likely be on its way?

Not sure I would want my DC to take the risk second time around...taking into account that Oxbridge will be looking at candidates with grade 9's next application round - which I assume will be taken into account. DT2 sounds as if he is competitive and I would give him the opportunity to excel at Durham, rather than risk not being offered a place at Oxford..but you know your children.

I didn't think all goodbyestrangers DC had attended Oxbridge - that's some accomplishment - no pressure on DD4 then!

oneteen only six of my DC have done undergrad at Oxford, with one doing undergrad at Durham - very, very happily as it happens. And in fact Needmoresleep knows this very well (since she messaged me a couple of years back to find out where the DC in question was going!). So actually no pressure on DD4 who I think likes Durham as much as Oxford at the moment (she's visited her siblings fairly often), although I certainly think that the admissions people are all over the shop this year with selective schools - it's been a very odd year.

I was an undergrad at Durham too, so I think I probably do have a relatively reasonable handle on how different the two unis are in terms of college life, tutorial teaching etc.

DD4 says she's still going to apply to Durham though. She also told me a couple of days ago that the Ho6 has given a very strong talk on not having gap years between school and uni. He didn't give this talk to the others' year groups but he really knows his stuff and has been in post for years.

Don't give a flip where your DC do/have/will study goodbye, but I do image you having at least 14 of the blighters

Gap years muck up the destination data for government league tables. Schools don’t like them if they are concerned about their league table position slipping and/or parent criticism.

Stranger, pleased be reassured that I am not so nosy as to message anyone to ask where their children are going.

Each to their own.

I still think gap years are useful for some, though obviously not all and should therefore be considered. Unless a whole year group is so supremely mature they can all expect to hit the ground running. And even if that is the case, sixth form, then degree, perhaps a Masters or a Professional qualification and then into a pressurised first job can be a long slog. It is not unknown for young adults to wake up and effectively wonder where they are and why. DD quite specifically wanted a break between school and university, and I think it did her no harm to be exposed to people well beyond the bubble she grew up in. It won’t be true for all, but having a break can help some understand what a privilege it is to be a student.

Needmoresleep I remember your message exactly and could identify the day if necessary. I didn't have a problem replying but think in the context of your post it's worth saying that you are well aware of where each of my DC go or went to uni. But as Justanothermile says, who gives a flip. I'm concerned only that they're happy and if their experience (or mine) can be of use to others then so much the better.

That would be a bit cynical though Zanda. I don't think this Ho6 would be motivated by that. We do live in a part of the world where gap years - assuming the need to earn money, which is mostly a given - would be pretty dull for at least six or seven months. His advice was do one after uni to get the most out of it, not before.

Gap years muck up the destination data for government league tables. Schools don’t like them if they are concerned about their league table position slipping and/or parent criticism.

Interesting point. It is often wise to take the advice of schools with a large pinch of salt: their interests are frequently not aligned with the best interests of their pupils.

His advice was do one after uni to get the most out of it, not before.

I don’t disagree with the sentiment and I think post undergraduate gap years, before doing a Masters, are a very good idea indeed. However, is it not possible that a Ho6 or Head of School might not have the same grasp of the advauand disadvantages of post degree gap years as of post A-Level gap years? In particular, how post degree gap years will be scrutinised more closely by future employers than will post A-Level gap years?

That would be a bit cynical though Zanda. I don't think this Ho6 would be motivated by that.

Your Ho6 might have very pure and altruistic thoughts about his pupils’ future, goodbyestranger - but they don’t all...

Maria I happen to know this Ho6 well and I agree he may be unusual in looking out for the very best for his students. He's also exceptionally knowledgeable generally and very street wise, so I don't share your concerns. That said, he's just one Ho6 and what I posted was hearsay - though marks a departure from previous years, so I merely (and vaguely) wondered why. I'll probably just ask him :)

Actually I probably won't, since DD4 has no intention of having a gap year and I don't want to waste his time or mine.

And to be fair, it may not be the Ho6's personal opinion, but the line that they have been 'encouraged' to take. Especially if it is a new 'policy' (would the school teally refuse to provide a fair reference for a student applying for deferred entry?) but not a new Ho6? Perhaps the students should ask for a link to the research behind the blanket advice?

A seasoned Ho6 would never give 'blanket' advice about gap years Maria and I didn't say that that was what was said. He's nobody's parrot either. The change may well reflect a change in offer patterns for Y14s.

Hmmm, I'm cynical too about HO6 advice...it just might have something to do with selective schools moving almost completely to 9-1's for this year's cohort (those taking GCSE's in 2019) - so I daresay that will put additional pressure on admissions come 2021 (so selective schools and state will be both judged on 9-1 GCSE's) ...Uni's may look more favorably at the DC with 9's over the DC with A*'s for 2020 entry - but who knows!

Universities (and the government) are of course all panicking about the falling number of 18 year olds and potential loss of EU students post-Brexit. It’s not in the interest of institutions or the state for individual students to defer moving on to university.

Have a look at the governments ‘destination measures’ data of your child’s school. I think it first came out in 2018. It is the 2 terms rule that is different and why gap years aren’t now liked by schools. I am not cynical just realistic - I have worked in schools long enough to spot SLT talk. Having a gap year after university pushes the ‘NEET’ on to the universities.

oneteen this year's Y12s (who the Ho6 was addressing) all sat GCSEs (no IGCSEs) so were awarded 9s-1s (incidentally our school scored 40% 9s so I don't think the Ho6 need be that nervous). Business and D&T were the only non numerically scored GCSEs, being unreformed.

@Coleoptera

I've been following this marathon for a while, and I think DT1 should accept Durham, go for it while there and aim for a Master's at Oxford. Enough stress already!

Good luck to both you DTs in their A-levels.

Advice is just that - you’re free to weigh up the pros and cons and decide for yourself , insofar as you can , what will work for you at that moment in time .
Is 32 years after obtaining my primary degree too late for a gap year - lighthearted ?

Zanda - thank you - I read this assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/748165/Destinations_good_practice_guide_for_publishing.pdf

Very interesting indeed!

Have we all made a decision?

DS is going to Durham after all, having veered away from UCL at the last moment. Of course, if he doesnt get the grades, it will be UCL anyway.

I'm dreading it, frankly. It is so very far away and he is a very, very shy and niche personality. I hope he copes.

Cadburys (and I agree with the username sentiment) - I found Durham was a wonderful place for the niche personalities when I went there. The rahs were the loudest and most obnoxiously visible group but pretty much everyone seemed to find their own tribe fairly quickly.

Back in my day we were strongly urged NOT to do gap years - but there was a very real reason behind it - we were the last year to get student grants and if we took a gap year we didn't get them!