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Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Another path to greatness - part III

999 replies

chopc · 23/03/2021 17:59

Here is the new thread

OP posts:
JulesJules · 01/04/2021 23:08

Season my D1 has also been online volunteering by transcribing - for the National Archive and also I think for the Smithsonian - there are quite a few, she finds it really satisfying. I did some a couple of years ago but that was weather data (rainfall mainly) not very interesting!

Oldowl · 02/04/2021 08:32

[quote Pumpkintopf]@Millylovespuddles so pleased for your DD! Where is she off to, or would you rather not say?

DS and DD's schools have not confirmed the dates that they will break up (both exam years) - I'd vaguely assumed June but maybe it will be end of May then based on all your experiences! [/quote]
Final leavers' assembly on 30th April at DS's school, then A level and GCSE assessments on alternate days from 4th May-14th May. One exam per subject. Y10 exams straight after, before Whitsun holiday.

So Y13s all finished by 14th May at the latest.

PresentingPercy · 02/04/2021 09:06

So what will the teachers be doing? (Waits for flack and dons helmet)!

Oldowl · 02/04/2021 09:17

I am not a Secondary teacher, but probably marking and moderating tens of exams to ensure the grades submitted are fair.

DahliaMacNamara · 02/04/2021 09:21

That's what DH said, Percy. I guess they'll be marking the papers, which they wouldn't be doing in the normal run of things, and possibly moderating papers from other schools (I think this was the plan locally, though It's not clear if that was ever confirmed). There will probably be more Sturm und Drang over this than there would be over normal mock exam scripts. In schools, years 7-10 and 12 will still want teaching.

OnandOnforHoursandHours · 02/04/2021 09:26

Thanks for the online transcription suggestions. DD has just spent a happy evening amidst the archives. There were frequent shouts of ‘Do you think that says ratified or notified?’

Wetellyourstory · 02/04/2021 09:56

So what will the teachers be doing?

Probably them same as what they do every year when year 11/13 have left plus working on evidence and determining grades etc. Both mine went on exam/study leave at the beginning of May in previous years (pre-COVID) and only went into school for exams.

bendmeoverbackwards · 02/04/2021 11:52

Hi, hope everyone is doing ok and having a good start to the Easter weekend.

We visited Exeter yesterday! It was unfortunately a bit disappointing. Dd went fully expecting to love it and come home ready to firm her offer. We had a good wander round the campus and saw the library and other buildings that were open. Looked at some of the accommodation blocks. I was very careful to remain neutral as I didn't want to influence dd but I could tell from watching her that she didn't seem to be feeling the love and was almost talking herself into it. The campus didn't really live up to the hype. Most buildings were modern and some quite ugly/concrete-y. Not as green as I had imagined.

We then went into the city centre and had a wander around. Difficult during lockdown as most shops were closed obviously, but aside from that, the High Street was pleasant enough but not much character. And we didn't see many restaurants or bars even closed one. There must have been some though, maybe we weren't looking in the right places. Overall it just seemed smaller than I thought. Even the quayside area, although quaint and pretty, was small even taking lockdown into account.

Dd doesn't feel ready to firm up now and doesn't know what to do. A gap year is looking increasingly promising. She could apply for straight History at universities she has actually visited (even if no open days planned this year we could do visits).

She's also thinking now of UCAS extra as now she's not loving Exeter maybe she's got nothing to lose by throwing in her offers. Apparently Bristol have History offers via Extra.

chopc · 02/04/2021 11:57

@bendmeoverbackwards - it's good you have had a chance to look around. If he heart is not in it she is not going to go with the wrong mindset. UCAS extra sounds like a good idea for her as well as a year out. Do keep us informed and "think out loud" if you like

OP posts:
chopc · 02/04/2021 11:58

Can you believe DS school are still charging students for the exams as they are being charged by the board. Should the board not be paying schools extra for collating the assessments for the TAG's?

OP posts:
bendmeoverbackwards · 02/04/2021 12:00

Thank you @chopc I did think a while back that maybe she should try Exeter and see how it goes but you are right that's it not good to start with that attitude.

It's just all the uncertainty is so hard for her - she can see all friends firming their offers and have something to look forward to. She's got her A Level assessments after Easter and needs a clear head to work well but she finds it so hard to put uni thoughts on hold.

BigWoollyJumpers · 02/04/2021 12:48

@chopc

Can you believe DS school are still charging students for the exams as they are being charged by the board. Should the board not be paying schools extra for collating the assessments for the TAG's?
!!!!!

Assume they are using the board papers then? I haven't heard of any charges, but then our school are using their own papers, so the boards aren't involved at all. I will check whether we have any charges and let you know.

BigWoollyJumpers · 02/04/2021 12:49

DD hasn't got an end date yet. She is really frustrated, as it seems most schools are ending mid-May. Our school is doing the two week assessments, but then have "extra two weeks of reflection" "if needed". I wish they would make their mind up.

Oldowl · 02/04/2021 14:35

@chopc

Can you believe DS school are still charging students for the exams as they are being charged by the board. Should the board not be paying schools extra for collating the assessments for the TAG's?
That does not surprise me.

DD's state Grammar charged her £76 for a Y14 UCAS reference. When we read the reference it was identical to the Y13 reference except for the first sentence.

After a strongly worded email to the new Head, this money was refunded. I don't think he knew about this policy, if indeed it was an official policy that the Governors had approved...rather than a money making exercise.

Millylovespuddles · 02/04/2021 15:59

@Pumpkintopf it's QUB she'll be heading to - this year for medicine, the mantra 'all you need is one offer' is very apt. Out of 7 applying from her school, she is one of three with an offer, and nobody has more than one at this point. I'm just so relieved we don't have to repeat the excercise next year, as it's not looking like it will be any better.

PresentingPercy · 02/04/2021 16:25

My DD was not taken with Exeter either - albeit some years ago now. She just needed somewhere a bit bigger and with more of a city feel. She found Bristol ticked all the boxes. DD went to boarding school and Exeter was popular with the girls as it felt like a university continuation of boarding school. I would say often DC do not care as much about "green": and "concrete" as parents do! My DD's certainly didn't. They wanted life outside the university and lots of choice regarding where they could spend free time. DD did not like Warwick either for the same reason. However, lots of people do!

Pumpkintopf · 02/04/2021 16:31

@Millylovespuddles so true! Brilliant she's got an offer, well done her.

Needmoresleep · 02/04/2021 16:57

Millie, brilliant news. QUB has a strong reputation, including for surgery, and DD thought of applying, We know one girl who did and who both received excellent training, but had a great time.

bendmeoverbackwards · 02/04/2021 17:26

@PresentingPercy thank you, it's actually dd who cares about the pretty buildings and nice atmosphere!

What is Bristol like? We looked very briefly when dd1 was applying a few years ago. I know it's not a campus university and more spread out throughout the city.

bendmeoverbackwards · 02/04/2021 17:27

I think dd, although she has got over the Oxford disappointment, still can't get the lovely old buildings out her head and I know Durham is a bit like that too. I don't know where she could look if she was thinking of reapplying.

bendmeoverbackwards · 02/04/2021 17:28

[quote Millylovespuddles]@Pumpkintopf it's QUB she'll be heading to - this year for medicine, the mantra 'all you need is one offer' is very apt. Out of 7 applying from her school, she is one of three with an offer, and nobody has more than one at this point. I'm just so relieved we don't have to repeat the excercise next year, as it's not looking like it will be any better.[/quote]
Must be such a relief @Millylovespuddles great news for her, very well done.

SeasonFinale · 02/04/2021 17:45

@bendmeoverbackwards

I think dd, although she has got over the Oxford disappointment, still can't get the lovely old buildings out her head and I know Durham is a bit like that too. I don't know where she could look if she was thinking of reapplying.
Although not a campus type uni a lot of the faculties are in the same area and there was a whole section in a leafy area set together in lovely old buildings mixed with new. That and a brand new humanities library which was being built when we went to the June 2019 Open Day, all being set in a vibrant city with clubs and music gigs was what did it for DS.

Teachers do still have ys7-10 and y12s to teach until the end of term as they do every year after y11 and 13 finish for study leave and exams. Indeed this year in addition they will be having to assess grades, collate the evidence and have departmental meetings to affirm grades.

Exam boards will be carrying out external quality assurance checks of the internal procedures schools have to submit, carting out some moderation and indeed no doubt hearing more appeals than they usually do. Again like other business they have staff and other overheads to pay for. The children will get their qualifications throigh them or would we rather that they went under and not get their certificates.

As regards lecturers who are teaching sometimes 4 x their usual number of hours. I assume either it means they are neglecting their own research or using their own spare time. If institutions go under that will.mean even fewer unis meaning even more are left without places.

@JulesJules and others
The online volunteering is a great way for historians to look at original source material. All good practice and useful to the those organisations.

ChimneyPot · 02/04/2021 18:11

@Millylovespuddles
Congratulations to your DD. Are you in NI or will this be a big move for your DD?
DH and I both went there and loved it.

NiamCinnOir · 02/04/2021 18:25

Congratulations to your dd, @Millylovespuddles. A good friend’s son just graduated from QUB in medicine last year, having COVID to thank for being fast tracked through the final few months. He loved the course and his whole experience there.

Millylovespuddles · 02/04/2021 18:58

Yes, NI based but live over an hour away so it will still be new for her. After the O-no, I was so happy that she got a Queens offer. Thankfully it won't be a train and a flight to get to and from (and she is our youngest so the empty nest in September shouldn't feel so bad!)

Now, they have 3-4 assessments in each subject starting 19th April and should be finished by mid-May.

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