Could we have a family holiday in February half term, when DD is doing GCSEs?

[SanityClause]

DD1 is in year 10, so next year will be doing her GCSE exams.

We usually have a family holiday in February half term (skiing).

Will she be madly revising, or would we be able to go?

The thing is, with DD2 two years younger, and DS three years after her, I get the feeling we may not be able to fit in another family skiing holiday, well, ever, if February half term isn't doable.

If your DD starts revision in good time (September!) and keeps on top of it, then a break will do her good.

I wouldn't!

One of DD's GCSE NOW friends went skiing with her family over Easter. The rest of the family went skiing during the day, friend stayed in the chalet studying and was allowed out at 5 to ski. Family's argument was that with 4 children, one or more of them would always have exams. I, personally, couldn't do that. Although Easter is later than February.

I agree, the break will do her good. Year 11 is very full-on - as you might expect. A week away during the holidays could be a nice way of relieving a bit of GCSE stress.

I wouldn't do it at Easter - especially the late Easter we have had this year - but I think February is fine.

Thanks for the responses. I definitely wouldn't go at Easter time, but I wondered if we might get away with February.

A lot of the year 11s I teach went on family holidays in Feb half term. Some went skiing, some went on beach holidays, we even had some of them on a "History" trip to Germany (I believe there was more fun than History going on)

If your dd is working hard from the start of year 10 then one week in February isn't going to make any difference. If you are particularly worried she can even take some revision to do while you are on holiday, don't overdo it though.

I have a DS in Yr 12 doing AS's and a DD in Yr 11 doing GCSEs. We went skiing at Feb half term this year, it was fine, and last year when DS was in Yr 11 he went on the school ski trip for the first week of the Easter holidays, as did DD this year. They both really benefitted from a week away from working.

DS got much better results than we were hoping for last year, and I am hoping DD will do fine this year (as she is predicted to do). I think you can overdo the emphasis on revision - as long as they work steadily during the year, and revise thoroughly in the run up to exams, and keep on top of all coursework there is no reason why they shouldn't be OK.

DD currently doing exams
we went away at both Half term and Easter
I have no regrets

Dd did her GCSEs last year and went skiing in Feb half term and away again for 1 week at Easter, she didn't really do much work whilst she was away. She did as well as expected if not better in her exams. This year it's AS levels and again she has been skiing and away for the first week of Easter, she is now taking her exams and feels prepared. Next year she will ski in Feb at least even though it will be her A level year she feels it helps her focus and relax from the stress of school.

Holidays should be continued. Who on earth revises in September??? Who on earth revises in February? Very few! Book it and have a good time. Revision will start when you get back. If you revise too early, it just gets forgotten anyway.

We certainly won't be giving up our Easter holiday when the time comes - its the only time of year we get chance to go away.

Teacher here. I would say go and let her forget about it all for a week, will probably do her more good. Just make sure she is organised with all coursework before she goes.

another teacher here agreeing Feb half term I'd certainly be going if I could. will do her and family all good as will be an intense yr.

DD1 did GCSEs last year, and some ASs this year. We went away for a week at Easter. She took all her books, and revised for about 4 hours every day. She also took her instruments (as she always does) and practised most days. A change of scene is always nice - and on holiday, there are fewer distractions. Dunno about skiing though - never done that. But staying in a cottage by the sea was fine.

I don't even set homework over that half term.

I don't even set homework over that half term.

February half term will be fine.

I don't know about skiing in February but my DD2 went away with the school for almost a week at Easter to Rome/Sorrento. They all enjoyed the break and were ready to start revision in earnest when they returned. The school positively encourages them to get away for a bit.

Absolutely! I teach secondary and loads of ours go skiing in Feb. take some revision work books for an hour or so in the evening and enjoy!

Fine

I wouldn't - she only gets one shot of her exams.

well DD is in the middle of hers and we are going away for part of this coming half term : she NEEDS the break

Thanks for all the input. You are all saying what I hoped you would!

We did. But AS exams this year with mocks just after half term, so this year we went at Christmas instead. Next year we have 11+ in early Jan and A2 mocks after Feb half term so we won't be going at all.

We go away every February skiing - DS is currently doing A levels and it's not harmed any of his results so far (full set of As/A*s at GCSE and pretty good AS as well) and dd is currently doing GCSEs. Their revision started in earnest once we got back.