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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:
FantaSea · 23/06/2014 19:48

cardi I would feel the same, but I am sure your DD and her friends will be sensible and have a great time.

Very best of luck to everyone for the rest of the week.

Original poster
cardibach · 23/06/2014 22:08

I am too, really, Fanta. And she really deserves to let her hair down after all her hard work.

Best of luck for the final straight to those still going!

OP posts:
Isthiscorrect · 24/06/2014 04:56

boys3, you may well be right (in my very limited personal experience). DS took philosophy and the mark scheme ran to 4 pages of bullet points for suggested answers! So whilst there is not the same need to be as rigidly specific as chemistry (for example) it does require a very wide ranging knowledge. Possible too broad?

BeckAndCall · 24/06/2014 10:54

Smuggy smugness here! DD finished at 10.30! We're all done!

She just rang to say it went really well. Phew. Hopefully the S2 will cancel out the horror of her C4 paper and it will all come good in 7 weeks time......

So tonight we shall be out to celebrate ( after the England match, of course).

Needmoresleep · 24/06/2014 11:35

Last one yesterday, and reasonably straightforward. The end of term feeling is lovely. There is a temptation to download Alice Cooper and blast "Schools Out" around the house, as I did all those years ago.

It is really the end of an era. The school years are over. At the moment there is a feeling of relief and achievement. DS is now a young adult ready to make his way in the world, with scope for us to write out own "freedom list." Time for a break. We an worry about results later.

yourlittlesecret · 24/06/2014 13:17

Needmoresleep That was in the charts when I was at school Wink.

Holding my breath until Friday.......... DS had his last A level paper today (D2) but the toughest exams are still to come.

Best of luck to all your DC and lets hope they enjoy their summer.
See you on the results / UCAS thread.

PurpleAlert · 24/06/2014 16:43

Dd finished this morning. Final maths paper s2- she thinks it went ok. Now it's just a waiting game. She is currently in the garden on a bouncy castle with her friends having a belated 18th birthday celebration. Grin

Spent a good hour cleaning and tidying the dining room where she has been holed up working for the last two years this morning.

Scary thing is, this is now the final step before she (hopefully) goes off to uni.

summerdip · 24/06/2014 19:45

Phew! We've finished here. Can't quite get used to the lull in tension!

FP2 okay yesterday bu tnot great. His other papers have to get him through.

Looking for part time jobs now. Onwards and forwards. New era.

Littleham · 27/06/2014 11:18

DD1 has just done a bit of research and has submitted four applications to universities in Ireland (for language courses), via the CAO (Central Application Office) system (essentially the Irish UCAS). This is a very simple application process, where you apply for your chosen courses & on results day they contact you to give out offers. If anyone wishes to do this to have a backup plan, then the closing date is 1st July. The fees are cheaper as well!

DD1 now has six potential choices, so fingers crossed.

Original poster
cardibach · 06/08/2014 16:36

How is everyone doing? I'm uncomfortably conscious that results day is a week tomorrow. I'm hoping for the best but planning for the worst - I have a list of the phone numbers of all Universities offering DDs chosen course so that we can swing into organised action if she doesn't get in to her firm or insurance places! Biology a real worry, as I've said interminably once or twice before.

OP posts:
FantaSea · 06/08/2014 17:15

Hello cardi Smile

Things are rather tense here - results day seems to have raced up on us! I am absolutely dreading it - DD is most worried about Chemistry and thinks she has a D in it. I am secretly hoping she has scraped a C but we will see. I think the last few days of waiting are the worst for them and for us.

Wine for us all

boys3 · 06/08/2014 18:08

I think it fair to say I'll be very glad when next Thursday arrives, whatever news it brings - hopefully good news for all DCs.

DS1 got himself a job for the first month after exams so that was a welcome distraction and gave him the incentive to get a bank account opened ready for uni - need to keep the positive thinking going :)

HPparent · 06/08/2014 18:29

Hi everyone, hope you are ok.

DD has been doing work experience with animals over the summer, currently doing manual labour at a zoo and being exploited - spent an hour locked in a cage yesterday in error! Dragging bales around etc.

DD is desperately applying for Vet Assistant jobs as the surgery she was at decided to pull her job at the last minute - apparently the nurse who offered her the job did not bother to tell the vet proprietor who can't afford more staff. Unfortunately she turned down another job in the meantime GRRR!! Still fuming.

I am looking at options for the Edexcel Chemistry resit. Option 1 seems to be to resit the A2 year or option 2 to do the whole exam with another board - AQA or OCR again in one year - assuming both are still easier than Excel.

Anyway at least we will know one way or another by next week!

Lindor · 06/08/2014 18:40

Hi all, how are tensions in your home?. DS is having nightmares about results day and feels like punching someone to relieve the stress. I will be glad when the 14th arrives, though I don't know which way it will go....

HPparent · 06/08/2014 18:57

Hi Lindor, I think the best way is just to have a plan B,C,D etc. I think our role is as advisor/counsellor. Whichever way it goes it is not the end of the world and there is always a way to achieve your dreams. Good luck to your DS.

Just found out I have a large gallstone requiring surgery - sure it is due to all those stress alleviating crisps etc!

HPparent · 06/08/2014 18:59

My last post was 666 on this thread, hope that is not an omen Confused

Original poster
cardibach · 07/08/2014 11:38

I agree, HP. Plans for all eventualities here, which may not be discussed as that suggests I don't think she has passed, apparently! She has a point...I hope never to divulge the existence of my secret phone number stash! There are other plans to back up that, too, but I really hope she gets in at her firm or insurance place.

OP posts:
FantaSea · 07/08/2014 17:57

HP sorry to hear about your surgery Flowers

cardi I am having the same problems - DD gets upset if I try and reassure her that we have back-up plans as that means that I think she has done badly, then in the next breath she is telling me that she thinks she has a D in Chemistry. I am so uptight and stressed. I also hope your DD gets in at her firm or insurance.

At least this time next week we will all know what we are dealing with. I think not knowing is the worst thing.

Original poster
cardibach · 07/08/2014 19:44

Absolutely! Whatever happens it's better than uncertainty.

OP posts:
Lindor · 08/08/2014 21:14

Thanks for the suggestions about back up plans, if only he would listen to me....

Anyway we have now have another issue; Ds has just been told he needs a hip operation (FAI) which will take 3-6 months to recover from. We have no idea of time scales/ waiting list. So if he gets his grades does he go ahead and accept a uni place, or would he be better off defering for a year? Why do things always seem to happen at the worst time? x

FantaSea · 08/08/2014 22:07

Lindor oh dear, I am sorry to hear about your DS, you're right about things happening at the worst time, another worry for you all Flowers

HPparent · 09/08/2014 08:50

Lindor sorry to hear about your son. If you know the consultant at the hospital would it be possible to ring their secretary and get some advice on the time in hospital/recovery time/mobility needs etc. Otherwise get your GP to find out as a matter of urgency.

secretsquirrels · 09/08/2014 11:56

Lindor sorry to hear that. It puts everything else into perspective doesn't it. Health is more important.

Original poster
cardibach · 13/08/2014 16:58

15 hours to go

OP posts:
FantaSea · 13/08/2014 18:05

cardi I am feeling sick with the worry today, but at least tomorrow we will know what we are dealing with. I think the uncertainty is the worst thing. Chemistry is the biggest worry here, I am hoping that DD has scraped a C. i have had a look at the grade boundaries for chemistry and that has made me feel even worse.