Thread 46 - GCSE Covid Cohort , Searching for Summer Solstice

[OrangeCinnamonLatte]

This is a support thread for our young adults post GCSEs 2020, regardless of their educational setting, and their results ( or life updates for those who went into work or have had results earlier). It is respectfully requested that all are supportive and helpful to each other. If you want to start a debate, e.g state vs private, uni vs employment please don't within this thread.

Some of us have been here since first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. Everyone is welcome. It is hoped this will continue. We were previously on the secondary board and then further education, now we shall be here in 'Parents of Adult Children' gulp

Our DS/DD may continue down various pathways ( employment, apprenticeships, higher ed). Be warned there might be lots of 'Uni Freshers' chat this time of year. My experience is that everyone is welcomed wherever, whatever their child is doing we have some in work, gap years , apprenticeships etc too. Lots of contributors with different experiences and always sympathy and advice to be had.

Previous Thread

Blinkblonny, crazy or anyone who needs their dc to have help / support, please push, apply, demand. Nearly always a diagnosis is not actually required to access help. It's based on need. I bet /hope most of you can get it without official diagnosis. Please apply immediately.

Unfortunately DSA is hard and fast on that, no diagnosis = no DSA. It is true of all the other systems we have been through (EHCP, DLA, PIP) that its the need rather than the diagnosis though.

How lovely @PhotoDad, but not surprising, all that you have shared on here shows that she has chosen the perfect pathway for her considerable skill! She is so right that in the arts, making great contacts and having a good portfolio/work history early on will be invaluable.

What a super confidence boost to receive that recognition. Your DD has truly ended the year on a well earned high. @PhotoDad

She’s had an incredible year Photodad, hope she recharges ready for everything Y2 throws at her!

That's brilliant @PhotoDad , well done to her!

That's brilliant photodad. Proof that for some industries attending a prestigious RG university is not important and can even be detrimental and for some subjects the best places are the institutions that have previously been looked down on but are much better for actual teaching and industry contacts in those areas.

When I told some people my ds was considering Salford and Huddersfield alongside specialist music colleges they were so snooty but those courses have a great reputation

@Comefromaway There are a couple of good threads for students studying/apply for Art/Design courses. None of the best universities for those subjects appear on the "MN-approved" list.

Within the world of Art/Design, the place which DD attends is always known as "Cambridge School of Art" and it has a long history and tradition. It gradually absorbed other technical schools to become Anglia Ruskin, but the art school is still in its Victorian/Edwardian buildings (forming one side of the otherwise steel-and-glass campus!)

Thanks very much, @mummyinbeds - helpful!

DD has gained permission to share some of her images from the project for personal use (as it's "work for hire" the copyright goes to the uni!) In the real thing these are lightly animated and clickable; the site is like a "point and click adventure" where a friendly dragon learns all about the university.

(This represents maybe 10% of the art she produced for the project.)

@PhotoDad those are truly beautiful! I'm sure you've mentioned what your DDs ultimate aims are, but those examples are far better than many illustrations I've seen in childrens' books.

They wre amazing @PhotoDad ! Really impressive

That is so impressive

Love them Photodad!

Wow @PhotoDad those are really good

That's incredible @PhotoDad
What a talent!

Thanks, all, we've always thought she was good so it's nice to see her getting good grades at art school and now work (she had to send a portfolio when applying). She would ideally like to go into children's illustration (probably not young picture books) or into 2D art for computer games. (Specialist "Games Art" courses focus on 3D.) So this was exactly her cup of tea!

They're great @PhotoDad , there's something about them that reminds me of the game Dixit, if you've ever played that?

I love the dragon @PhotoDad ! He is lovely . It's so great.

Fabulous work, as always @PhotoDad !

@singingstones I had a peek at your DS’ course- it looks great! Lots of Ancient History and Classical Civilisation ‘in the mx’ and the work placement module looks very interesting too!

DS has just secured a week's work experience with our local online newspaper. It's a national company and he gets a day out af Canary Wharf. So that's quite useful and exciting, hopefully!

It's the only time any of us have managed to have useful contacts. DS1's mate from uni ( also an ex pupil if mine) now works for them so DS2 got contact details from him.

Brilliant Piggy. It's not the volume of network contacts, it's the quality!

Love the dragon @PhotoDad.
That's cool Piggy.

That’s good @Piggywaspushed , is he interested in journalism?

Dd will need some relevant paid work/work experience in the next year or two to help her decide what to do next. She’s not sure between aiming for Pychology (educational or clinical) or doing a masters in OT. The aim is to work in mental health, one way or another.