Applying for uni in 2021 part 2

[poppycat10]

Hi all, this is a continuation thread from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3828249-applying-for-uni-in-2021?pg=40

[SeasonFinale]

I bet they say it will be a mix of all the work they have done and are yet to do in y10/11 or 12/13 including course work, end of topic tests, end of year tests and mocks (if taken). Some may give an idea if they are going to use the board set mini assessments. Ours has already told the year groups they are in Friday's newsletter.

They haven't any more info than that.

[Bee0808]

Ds1s college seem to be taking the view that its up to the students if they take the tests...?
Luckily, they have been doing continuous assessments all along and 2 of his subjects will have the coursework element.
They also have an online portfolio of work/revision/extra essays etc they can upload for more evidence.
I think they've done all they can, really.

[SeasonFinale]

If a school elects to use the mini assessments then the students in that school will have to sit them. They wouldn't have a choice whether to sit them or not. They are going to be sat within classroom sittings rather than a hall setting and are likely to be around an hour or less.

[Bee0808]

Hmm.
Ds1s politics teacher asked the group if they wanted to sit it.
It did strike me as odd!

[Bee0808]

He's just got his last geography assessment grade and is pleased so 👍

[poppycat10]

Ds1 just had an e mail from Nottingham offering to reduce his offer...!

That's really good. I had heard that Exeter did this with a few people, but ds had his offer a couple of weeks ago now and it hasn't happened. His college have given them "on course" grades which I think is what they get if nothing changes between now and June. If he wants Exeter he needs one subject to go up a grade.

I assume that as the grades will be teacher assessed there will be far less room for getting a place with lower grades on the day. That said, Exeter offered knowing it wouldn't be exams, whereas the other four universities didn't (though they might have guessed). It's really hard to know what to do.

[Bee0808]

Thank you :)
He's worked his socks off so I'm really pleased for him.
He is very happy as he had a reduced offer to begin with (sorry I realise this sounds boast-tastic) so they've actually offered to drop 2 grades.
Its taken the pressure off his 3rd subject which he hasn't enjoyed (for many reasons) but he's still on track for a B in that one hopefully 🤞

[LeiatheSchnauzer]

I have to say it is reassuring to know that dd1 isn't the only one who isn't massively confident. There is so much talk about inflated grades but I think a dc really has to already have been performing steadily at that grade to be confident.
Dd1 is moving towards achieving her grades and in normal times i am sure that her work would have got her to achieving what she needed in the exams. But till she is there it is going to be a worry for her.
And I don't think she wants to firm her preferred uni till she feels more sure of getting their grades. So it's just continuing to work hard and wait. Luckily there is no pressure to firm for accommodation.

[pistachioicecream]

@Bee0808

Its the horror of geography coursework here today
God help me

Good luck. We had that joy before half term! So stressful. He was so relieved when he got it in. Just his DT NEA to finish now.

His school have sent a message home to say they will be holding mock exams at the beginning of May. They were originally due to take place during the first two weeks back after Christmas. So at least they know when they’re definitely taking place now.

[Bee0808]

Ds has found the whole situation incredibly stressful.
There has been a long standing (since first lockdown) issue with the geography provision which has caused most of his stress, but fundamentally geography A level was the wrong choice.
He loved geography gcse and got an 8 but A level is much "drier" and the teaching has been woeful :(
And no week long field trip either due to covid.
I really feel for those kids who are doing STEM and practical courses. What a nightmare:(

[Bee0808]

Ds1s teacher has told him when the last assessments will be...wc 19th April.
They will be using the tests set by the exam boards.
So at least he has a plan for revision.
God, I'll be glad when this is over!

[chopc]

After 19th April is your DC expected to attend school @Bee0808 ?

I am hoping my DC will be able to salvage what they can of their upper sixth year and hope they will need to be in school for later than April

[Bee0808]

@chopc The teacher he has spoken to seems to think not.
Normally all pupils leave school/college after their last exam which for my ds will be wc 19th April.
I have mixed feelings about it tbh. Ds badly needs a break but 5 months?
He'll be doing some voluntary work but...

[Beetlesand]

Blimmin hell. I was hoping that dc would get a few months back in school so that they get some sense of feeling more “ normal” before the end of their school life . Wasn’t banking on any celebrations or anything...but just a chance to do some real lessons, make sure that the syllabus is finished and catch up on the experience a bit. But yes of course - I guess normally they DO leave school pretty early to start revising and once they’ve gone, their teachers are busy doing other things (and why should they teach for longer anyway )
Gosh.. These poor kids .

[Bee0808]

I should stress this is ds1s college...
No idea if other colleges will follow suit but it seems logical?
Especially with covid?

[LeiatheSchnauzer]

We haven't had anything official from dd1's school yet but from what teachers have said to her over the last few lessons I got the impression that teaching and assessments would be going on for a couple of months at least, taking full advantage of the time allowed. I am so keen for her to salvage some of her sixth form experience. The committee have resumed planning for their prom in July as well.

[BigWoollyJumpers]

DD is at a 6th form in an independent school, and I am assuming they will continue after any exams. Usually they are around for trips and volunteering, and various end of year celebrations. They have prize giving at the end of term, and generally all turn up to that. Bad form if you don't! They are hoping for leavers parties if possible too.

[BigWoollyJumpers]

As far as work and assessments go, they have said mocks after Easter. DD is still finishing off History coursework, but curriculum basically done. English is done. Class Civ one side done, the other bumbling along as the teacher says there is no rush now! So, as for work, they will just be going over and revisiting past topics now, and I assume doing lots of tests/essays on content.

[Bee0808]

Ds1s history curriculum is pretty much completed. Ditto politics.
Except geography which (for many reaons) hasn't been taught properly for months.
anyway.
He's finishing his history NEA tomorrow.
Geography NEA nearly done.
I can't wait for it all to be over tbh.

[LeiatheSchnauzer]

Just asked dd1 again and for physics they are getting all the practical elements finished first then starting a period of assessments after easter. Not sure what her other classes will do but I imagine they will be of a similar duration. This is good for dd1, she wants the extra time for studying but I can really see that it could just be a headache for others, especially if they have already done a lot of assessments.

[Bee0808]

History nea is DONE
Hurrah!
He'll probably finish his geography nea today/tomorrow.
Phew!
Hope offers are coming through thick and fast x

[Bee0808]

leia
Ds1s college have done formal assessments every 2 months for the last year.
He has been treating each one like a final exam once it was clear that the examinations in summer weren't happening.
It's caused him a great deal of stress tbh but he's done well and just needs to keep hos foot on the pedal until this final test. He's mentally very tired though.
We are applying for student finance this weekend.

[fiveoldteddies]

I asked dc about study leave. I got the impression they are carrying on with at least something. I hope so, as not sure what dc can do in all that free time. It's not as the travel plans to go to USA or Europe are ging to go ahead

[poppycat10]

DS' college had a parents' evening yesterday and one of his tutors said that they will be doing another exam in his subject, and plan to be in college until at least May half term doing lessons and assessments.

I've got a feeling all these mini tests and exams could be more stressful than the real thing!

He loved geography gcse and got an 8 but A level is much "drier" and the teaching has been woeful my son has had this with his language - his teacher just think he's not putting the effort in, which is largely true as he doesn't like it, but she also did no online teaching between March and June, which isn't great for a language.

[Bee0808]

That's sounds familiar poppy!
Ds1s geography teacher did nothing from March to July.
Then the bare minimum since.
I don't think telling y13s to "go through the textbook" is acceptable 😡