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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Y13 support thread, anyone?

700 replies

cardibach · 06/04/2014 19:20

I remember our GCSE one 2 years ago. It was a haven! I hesitate to start this as I'm not totally confident of wanting to post DDs results in the end, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
So, how's the revision going? What are the tricky subjects for anyone's DC?
DD is revising steadily, but then she always does and has had some disastrous module results, so not filled with massive confidence. Biology is her issue - she knows and understands it but can't seem to give the examiner what they are looking for. We've had papers back and her tutor says she hasn't answered anything incorrectly, just hasn't said precisely what the examiner wants. Seems so unfair.

I'm stressing. Anyone else?

OP posts:
titchy · 12/05/2014 13:16

Pay for your own adverts law. And dorkaid is a ridiculous name for a tutoring website....

yourlittlesecret · 12/05/2014 17:14

Just catching up here. DS first exam is next Monday but he is working really hard. He has done every past paper in all his subjects for about the last 10 years. He has mocks all this week, presumably to get them in exam mode as it's too late to address any failings now.

BeckAndCall · 12/05/2014 17:56

twitchy. Sorry, what????

For the hard of reading, please tell us what you're stalking about?

bruffin · 12/05/2014 18:36

there was a spammer on this thread earlier advertising his education site. Mn removed it

summerdip · 12/05/2014 18:47

Cardi- My DS is taking a gap year so we are sending in UCAS on the day he gets results so still under the school's supervision but he will go next Sept 2015.
Bruffin - I'm wondering why he was rejected from Leeds/Durham if his predicted grades got him an offer at Southampton - all want same grades I think? Is it personal statement as I heard they did not all take much notice of those as expect parents /teachers have chipped in. Intrigued?

Countdown happening - he did get a few revision lessons today which is good - keeps him focused. Friday is the first exam!!!!!!! Getting closer

bruffin · 12/05/2014 19:16

summerdip

ds's predicted grades were borderline and lower than required but the necessary grades were achievable. Durham didnt give a reply until last minute so it appears he was in with a chance.
He did have a good personal statement. He had good work experience including paid work in the industry, also an arkwright scholarship.

summerdip · 12/05/2014 20:30

My goodness - sounds scary how competitive Eng. and Maths are.

I think we had better spread our bets and choose a range of unis. Don't want to scare too much about that yet - have to get the grades first.

Just so hoping!!! Our Ds has done better than expected at this stage but sneakily that makes you want a little bit more. Have decided must seize grades as an opportunity whatever they are and encourage our Ds to think positively about his future. So much competition is daunting to me - at mo. He seems unfazed though and coping with the pressure - realisitic about how much studying he can do

Original poster
cardibach · 13/05/2014 18:45

It seems competitive for everything, summer. DD has applied for Occupational Therapy, which she will be great at. It was a low requirement sort of course in my day, though. Her offers go from AAB to BBC. My sister in law got in to do medicine with less than that in the late 80s!

OP posts:
summerdip · 13/05/2014 20:21

yes, I know grade expectations are high today but it's when you have the grades or near enough and unis still do not give offers. Wondering what that is about. Beyond grades, what are they looking for? Not sure I'm entirely certain.

One uni I spoke to says they pay little regard to Personal statement.

Original poster
cardibach · 13/05/2014 22:00

DDs application was a bit different as she needed to show awareness of the actual role - voluntary work, relevant work experience etc. I have no idea when it comes to other courses, although I doubt they ignore personal statements.

OP posts:
summerdip · 14/05/2014 06:04

Thank you Cardi.
Occupational therapy sounds interesting (my DD in mind) What subjects at A' levels are desired/required?

bruffin · 14/05/2014 06:54

My dd (currently taking gcses) is looking to take occupational therapy. The requirements are 1 science which is either biology or psychology depending on the uni and as Cardibach says experience is a also a requirement.

FantaSea · 14/05/2014 09:17

Yes, I have heard that courses like Occupational Therapy require work experience. I also think the grades for everything are higher than they were years ago - it is much tougher for our children now. It makes me so cross when there is all this talk of the exams being easier and it is all 'dumbed down' because it really isn't.

summerdip · 14/05/2014 16:25

I agree. Standards are high. Am teacher too!!

yourlittlesecret · 14/05/2014 16:34

FantaSea Yes I agree. I felt like that two years ago when DS1 did GCSEs. On results day after all that hard work, the media is full of scathing reports about how exams are all too easy and it feels as though they are devalued Angry.

Original poster
cardibach · 14/05/2014 18:38

summer the OT courses look really interesting! I want to do it. Yes, one science, usually Biology although some places don't specify + two other A levels. Many OTS are creative, so they don't object to art/Music etc. on most courses, but have a check. She has been volunteering for over a year with a Disability Sport group, who helpfully sent her on a course in inclusion, and did her work experience at a Special Secondary School. Some Universities require you to have done at least 2 days with an OT before you take up the course - she did that at Easter. If your DDs have any questions PM me and I'll ask her!

OP posts:
summerdip · 14/05/2014 20:29

thank you. Sounds good

FantaSea · 15/05/2014 09:19

How is everyone's DC getting on? DD is getting very tense as her first exam is on Monday - I think both of us will feel better to get them started, at least then it is underway.

The weather has picked up here yesterday and today - it is a strange thing to say, but it feels like summer exam weather now .

summerdip · 15/05/2014 12:18

We have the first exam tomorrow.

Not noticing lots of tension yet, but he keeps needing computer game time to relax a bit so probably there!!!

Feel he is studying which is good - always a worry here, will he do enough!

Best of luck to all your DC - an important time for them.

bruffin · 15/05/2014 13:26

Thanks Cardibach

DS has his first exam on monday which is M2

summerdip · 15/05/2014 16:43

my Ds is also in an M2 exam on Monday. Crikey - it's all happening now.

Tonight , last revision session before 1st exam!!

FantaSea · 15/05/2014 18:50

summerdip best of luck to your DS for tomorrow.

Original poster
cardibach · 15/05/2014 19:29

Good luck to all DCs as the madness begins...(I have until 2nd June).

OP posts:
prettydaisies · 15/05/2014 22:05

I also wish everyone well. DD doesn't start until 6th June which still seems quite along way away. DS (y12) starts on Monday though.

BackforGood · 15/05/2014 22:33

ds sat an AS resit on Tuesday - don't think it went well