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Secondary education

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

Year 11 GCSE Exam Support Thread

967 replies

Littleham · 23/11/2014 12:17

Is anyone else fed up with GCSE's and the stress they create? Thought I would start a support thread for the following few months. Mocks start next week at my dd3's school.

OP posts:
SugarPlumTree · 01/03/2015 17:02

Yes don't blame you Horsemad. I have just had a change of heart though as am worried about the moaning that will happen with DS and DD sharing a room and we've had a change of plan. I think though it is probably the better choice for DS though as well to be fair. BA have a 24 hour cooling off period if anyone ever needs to know !

Things a bit calmer thank goodness.She's found a couple of apps to play soothing sounds.

bigTillyMint · 01/03/2015 20:33

It is such a stressful time for them and us, isn't it? Lots of tears and tantrums here too and that's just me!

DD better not start wingeing about our summer holiday (that DH has finally booked) as she and DS have been campaigning for it for months!

16 weeks till it's all over!

Horsemad · 01/03/2015 21:56

It is immensely stressful! I don't remember all this angst when I did my O levels and I can't remember my parents being involved at all! Shock

ErrolTheDragon · 01/03/2015 21:56

As we've just got the one the summer hols are very much DDs choice - water sports for a fortnight (but I love that too) and then she's got a summer camp - DH and I might go away for a few days then. she says she wants a lot of time doing nothing!Grin

SugarPlumTree · 01/03/2015 22:48

I was thinking about my O Levels earlier and also don't; remember it being like this or my parents being very involved.

With DS' s meltdown this week and DD'S today I feel emotionally exhausted. I always said I would make sure things would be as calm as possible in the run up to DD'S exams but not worked out like that.

We were both made redundant so before Xmas I bought a little business. DH started a new job 3 weeks ago, at an office rather than being home based so that has been a bit if an adjustment for DC'S . DH'S BIL has just died. My Mother has Dementia which has been several years of hell. She had several infections about the same time DH started his new job and I thought she was on her way out. She's physically a lot better but mentally quite unwell and waiting to move to a new Dementia Home as her needs too great for current place who have said they can't keep her but opening of new one keeps being delayed.

My Brother and her want her to live near him in Asia. It's as much as she can do to get into the next room. One of his proposed dates for taking her is just as GCSE'S start. He sent a stinking email to her GP basically accusing him of incompetence, said he was going to bed due to time difference and asked him to ring me and discuss it. Next minute I have an irate GP on my mobile to deal with.

Sorry, that is long again and I'm very aware I keep going on rather a lot but need to vent.

ErrolTheDragon · 01/03/2015 23:10

sugarplum - blimey, you're having a heck of a lot to deal with Flowers

SugarPlumTree · 01/03/2015 23:24

Thanks Erroll Smile I am learning to focus on the things I can change and eat chocolate to deal with the rest Grin

Horsemad · 02/03/2015 15:46

Oh SugarPlum vent away. You really do have a lot going on.
Crikey, I've been whingeing since Sept about having one doing A levels and one doing GCSEs and I have no other worries really, so you are totally justified imo!

I'll keep my fingers crossed that your brother realises the problems he's creating and that your Mum is sorted with new accommodation soon Flowers

ErrolTheDragon · 03/03/2015 18:23

Well, that's DD's mocks over with. She seems to think they went OK. Anyone else's still in the throes?

bigTillyMint · 05/03/2015 16:05

DD is supposed to be getting her results today. They were meant to get them yesterday....

Did last sixthform interview today and it was very satisfactory. We now have to wait and see what offers she gets.

How's things SugarPlum?

HSMMaCM · 05/03/2015 16:40

Getting easter holiday timetable this week sometime. DD is hoping she won't be going to school every day.

Littleham · 05/03/2015 19:22

Music performance is looming (counts towards GCSE) Sigh.

Hope things are OK with you Sugarplum - been through the whole elderly parents / dementia thing too so I know what a nightmare that can be...

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 05/03/2015 19:49

DD's had some of her mocks results - pretty much as expected so far I think, but the ones she's not had back yet are mostly the ones she was least sure about.

auntpetunia · 05/03/2015 20:10

Sugar sounds like you've got loads going on, my mum's another dementia sufferer, fortunately she's in a brilliant home and doesn't cause me any problems, I'm also lucky I don't have a stupid brother!

anyway am really struggling now to get DS to do any revision at home, I know he's staying each night for at least an hour but I think he should be doing another hour or so at home he disagrees! After a heated discussion he's refused to do anything tonight, as "I came top in the class tests last week in all my sciences" apparently as they where the ones he only got cs in this is good and proves he doesn't need to do anything else. ...... argh

am so tempted to just leave him to it, but I don't want him to fail by being complacent .

bigTillyMint · 05/03/2015 20:20

I think I may well be in the DM-with-dementia club too, I will know more when I go up at Easter.

DD was pleased with her mocks - some room for improvement but also decent grades in the ones she needs for Alevels. She is now going to focus on getting her CAs done plus maths study on top of homework, but not masses of revision. Yet.

SugarPlumTree · 05/03/2015 22:32

Thank you, you'e all very lovely Smile

Just back from DH's BIL funeral which was obviously sad but OK . We were able to have a discussion about FIL with the rest of DH's siblings (who are pretty sensible overall) about FIL who is very elderly and frail in Spain and a whole other saga.

DD announced that she has to get a B in English to do Sociology, she forgot to tell me this yesterday after 6th form interview. Says that her grades are slipping in English. 6th form guy said she is on the boundary of achieving 5 C's and would have to do level 2 if doesn't get them which she is adamant she won't do. Also if has to resist Maths, this would potentially clash with one of her options.

Also she has announced she doesn't want to go to the college she holds a place on the BTEC Media as has heard it is shit (fair point.). So I'm not feeling very optimistic to be honest but am trying to be philosophical and it is what is is. We are definitely seeing the fallout of the School's Ofsted disaster. If I was a cynical person I might think their disaster was something to do with pushing the last school in the area who isn't an Academy to become one.

All quiet on Mum front. CQC go into the new Home tomorrow and if approve they can open Monday. How Mum will get there I have no idea but it won't be me as am gong to be flat out plus working evenings next week. Sorry to hear of everyone else who has walked the Dementia path. AuntPetunia, that gives me hope that the right place could look after her properly. BTM I will keep my fingers crossed you aren't gong to be in the Dementia club.

Glad people's mocks are over and some decent grades. Think DD has more very shortly. Still no exam timetable though.

TeenAndTween · 06/03/2015 10:41

Sugar Sorry things have been so tough for you. It's hard with ailing relatives at any time, so now must be terrible.

Your DD probably needs to do another round of considering BTEC options, so she has her fallback. Are there still some open days to go? Also if she is struggling to get the 5Cs would you/she consider cutting loose her least important/worst subject so she can focus on the borderline ones? My DD has been allowed to officially drop one which has made us all a lot less stressed.

SugarPlumTree · 06/03/2015 11:30

Thanks T&T. I came to that conclusion last night too. The other college which does the BTEC and is accessible she refuses to go to as it means going on a long bus journey with girls from her Middle School where she was bullied.

I have however after a sleepless night found one which offers Cambridge Technicals in Media equal to two A levels. Plus they offer GCSE Japanese in Year 12 and says there is the option to do Japanese AS by open learning the next year. If all goes to plan she will get Japanese GCSE this year so I am wondering about her doing the AS alongside the Media in Year 12. So emailed her Japanese tutor this morning who has taught AS to see if she thinks he could cope. If so I'm going to email the Japanese tutor at the College (she helped before with text books ) and serif that might be possible. Then we would have to work out how on earth we would get her there.

DS had a shit day yesterday as picked on for his World Book Day costume and wasn't actually speaking this morning. I've had the rejection letter from LEA for the three Secondaries in neighbouring LEA's I applied to. I am wondering about the possibility of moving somewhere where DD could get the train and DS could start Year 7 in a Secondary next September rather than continuing with Middle School route.

I've also emailed DD's English teacher to see if DD's perception that English going down the pan is what is happening or her perception due to exam nerves. Last Parent's Evening we were told she will pass both of the English exams, B/C in Photography, should pass Ethics and Geography (really not sure about Geography though), and Japanese tutor says she should be at least a B. Maths , hmmm. Really not prepared for her to do Level 2 in Yr 12 when the guy interviewing her for Media BTEC said the film she took with her would be at least a Merit and that was her learning things on her own. Really seeing it written down we do need to look at College with Media and Japanese, I have always worried about her and A levels.

TeenAndTween · 06/03/2015 11:39

I think that, although min requirement for some 6th form colleges to do A levels is 5Cs, getting 5Cs doesn't really seem to be enough to go forward with A levels. After all if you are just scraping the GCSEs, and A levels are a big step then I don't think it bodes well.

My DD is also on the borderline. She has offers for A level places, as well as a BTEC where she can do Spanish AS too. But having seen how essay questions are going (terrible) it is becoming extremely clear that she should do the BTEC, when given time to ponder she can do well. She might enjoy the A level lessons more, but I think the whole package would be depressing.

SugarPlumTree · 06/03/2015 12:43

That is my feeling as well to be honest. I was very doubtful when she said A levels but she put the point across that lots of coursework in what she is looking at. I've seen some very able children struggle with leap to AS recently.

Having hair done at a friend's who has just given me number for a tutor. Also interesting conversation re bullying at DS's school, he has to come out. We have some serious thinking to do this weekend.

Horsemad · 07/03/2015 07:31

Hope you get your DS sorted re bullying SugarPlumTree. Have you spoken to school about it?

SugarPlumTree · 07/03/2015 08:14

I have emailed both his class teachers as learned my lesson with DD, he everything in writing. He is struggling to cope with a disruptive class unfortunately. Several children who need a lot of input eg. One girl on school trip on the floor kicking her legs in air whilst a person giving them a talk. I think Mainstream school is probably a struggle for her but with the huge cuts there aren't any special school placed available. I was second person in at hairdressers yesterday to be moaning. The first person's son had had his school bag cut up by another child but the Head was saying the boy comes from. A 'good Christian family ' and not interested. Exactly the same approach as the previous Head who told me that he had spoken to the boy who was blocking DD'S way in the classroom and kicking her chair. Said the bit is a lovely boy, absolutely mortified that she could think that, dreadfully upset and he was expecting his parents to ring and complain actually. Boy concerned finally was on trouble after ramming DD in stomach with a stack of chairs, telling teacher DD had bumped into him, teacher making DD apologise to him until her friends piped up.

We all had such high hopes that new Head would be different but seems not. We applied elsewhere for DS after the nightmare we had with DD (arm in plaster plus files read by children containing medical info. She was then surrounded in the playground with boys taunting her.) But it is our catchment school and only place available. It's a church school snd they always appoint local people who are members of local churches and I think they are too close to community to be totally objective.

The whole incident is why DD is now at a non catchment school and refuses to consider going on the bus to another 6th firm college as will be with some of these Middle school children. DS' s teachers have to be fair both been brilliant and I couldn't ask for more from them. He was a bit happier last night. They had to act though as i said I regret not moving DD earlier and have no intention of making same mistake witb DS - don't think they want one of their potential Level 6's jumping ship at this stage in Year 6.

Funny how people respond to that. Looked at another school this week. Said to Head I was hoping to get him through to end of year but looking to move at start of year 7 when there was some natural movement because of Grammar intake. She agreed that was sensible. I'd said DD has Dyspraxia earlier in conversation so she asked if DS has any SEN. Said his writing was ropey but grades fine and said his grades on report after Christmas and suddenly she was quick to point out how well children do settle well if they come in midway through the year.

DD is adamant that she does not want to do BTEC in a single subject and although she really doesn't want to she will stay and do Level 2 if needs be. I'm leaving that topic for the moment as can see she wasn't in frame of mind to be swayed.

So sorry, another long one from me. I hope all is calm with everyone else. On the us side quiet on my Mum front and Brother will have to deal with her if not as I have my hands full!

bigTillyMint · 07/03/2015 09:06

Oh SugarPlum, that all sounds so worrying. But you are definitely doing all the right things. If the HT of the other school has a place and would accept your DS now, how would he feel about moving after Easter?

Re your DD, I don't know much about anything to do with secondary, but we do get some lovely young students at our place. I was chatting with one who did Health and Social Care at post-16 which I believe is equivalent to 2 A'levels? Anyway, she got her degree in Social Policy (I think that's what she said) and is now at Goldsmiths doing a PGCE. So not doing straight A'levels doesn't mean you can't go on to do get professional qualifications leading to a good job.
Or would she be interested in doing some sort of course that would lead to qualifications/apprenticeship/??? IMHO, it is better for the teen to find something that interests them and is within their grasp that they could then take on further if that was the way they wanted to go, IYSWIM?

Littleham · 07/03/2015 10:49

Sugarplum - One of our dc's used to suffer from similar problems in junior school. Stolen bags, destroyed homework, punching in playground, catty remarks, taunts like 'keener'...

It got noticeably better once the secondary school started setting for subjects. By A Level it was non existent. When they signed each others leaving sheets at age 16 she even had a long note of apology from one of the other girls saying that she regretted how vile she had been. All of those other girls left school at the age 16 after failing most of their GCSE's.

It will start getting better for you. Honestly.

OP posts:
SugarPlumTree · 07/03/2015 13:36

She wants to do Digital Film and Screen Arts at UCA Farnham so is working to a goal which sort of helps. We have a University locally which has a great reputation in that field. DS goes to a Saturday Film School run by one of the Lecturers there. When DD first saw the Creative Media BTEC at our local 6th form college we asked for her opinion. She kindly checked with someone she knew on the course whose parents used the words run for the hills re the college. The Lecturer said re BTEC that they accept students with them onto the course but find that they get the right number of UCAS points fairly easily but find they often lack the critical analysis skills needed for the degree so she gives them a good grilling during interview.

DD knows this and I think that is partly why she is insisting she wants to do A Level . Also she is saying she wants to do a mix of things, not just one subject as the BTEC is. I think there is a huge element of wanting stay on at her school where she is happy and I get that. I am thinking for now I am going to back off about a back up plan as think I was stressing her out talking about it. Will revisit it after next lot of Mock results at end of month. She is doing some revision at the moment which is good.

With DS I would move him to the school with space after Easter. However (this is going to sound silly) he is very allergic to mould, I am too. I walked into the school hall there and I reacted instantly. Some rooms were ok, others not. Someone told me they had had a leaking roof. We had a big problem in our house during renovations where someone spilt water or something under the floorboards in what was his room. It went onto sawdust and went moldy. He was really ill for weeks and had blood tests until we finally found what was going on (thanks to a MN thread who suggested getting the floorboards up !). Unfortunately that rules it out. Plus the fact it takes him out of our catchment pyramid and the new friends he would make would be going to DD'S current school and not sure at the moment I want him there as he is very different and I would want to see how it pans out when they find a new Head. Next week I am going to put him on waiting list for the Middle School we originally applied for, which fingers crossed will have spaces in Sept - though Head leaving. That feeds to our catchment upper which has a new Head and is improving though issues currently or other Upper School which had new Head couple of years ago and now going downhill. I have never seen so many change of Head a going on in such a short period of time. Happening in neighbouring LEA as we where I can instantly think of 3 recent changes in last year or 2.

It is very encouraging to hear that things improved so much for your DD Littleham I read it to DS. He is quite philosophical bless him as has seen DD become so much happier.

We will get there with both of them, we have just been very unlucky with a lot of change going on locally and it seems like very hard work ! A lot of people are complaining about local schools right now, very bad timing. They are both quite chilled today which is great.

Is everyone else sorted for next year now ? And everyone feeling ok or should we hand Wine around being the weekend?!

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