HELP! may not get into 6th form

[yolofish]

I have DD2 in floods tonight - she has had her 6th form interview at her current school, and been told that she may not get a place if she doesnt get her C in English - but can retake Maths if necessary (which is more than likely).

Her English teacher says she is capable of an A or A* but she falls apart in exam situations - goes blank, panics, generally cannot perform.

There are literally no other local options, and she wants to stay where she is because she's a dancer and school is outstanding in that respect.

She was hoping to do A level Media Studies (on course for an A at GCSE), Sociology and then double BTec dance level 3 or whatever its called.

I am going to see the English teacher to see what can be done, but does anyone have any advice about exam-phobic children? She revises well, eats/sleeps/relaxes etc, is a hard worker and not generally a nervous person (although a sensitive soul), and her confidence in dance especially has come on in leaps and bounds over the last couple of years.

She just says the English teacher is no help... AAAARGH.

Some of our very exam phobic children have had CBT it's not cheap but in the vast majority of cases helped. You need to find a therapist who has practical experience of children/adolescents as well as the usual qualifications. The best place to obtain this experience is CAMHS ask any therapist you contact exactly what their experience is how long they did it for and when they did it.

thank you both. am making an appointment with the english teacher for next week, and will ask her about more exam practice. dont think we'd be able to access CAMHS in time, and no money to pay.

There are some cheap and free mindfulness type apps. She could see if she could use one to help her when anxious?
There was a radio 4 programme a few weeks back recommending them.

I will look at mindfulness too - thanks mummytime. trouble is, I was the opposite - did no work, revised at last min, got good results. cant remember anything now of course, but I just wasnt nervous about exams...

My dd's friend does all her exams in a separate room because the large hall with all the other children is what makes her panic. You could speak to the school to see if this would be a option it may help!

Is it just the English exam? That implies it's a more specific issue. If it's across the subjects she might be able to sit the exam elsewhere, speak to the exams officer and see what they say. If it's just English, then it's more that just exam panic, a weekly tutor at home might help.

Try rescue remedy. I don't know if it's all in my mind but I used to panic and fall apart when having injections to the point if passing out I was so scared. A couple of sprays on my tongue just before lots if holiday jabs and I was fine. No panic, no worries, not even a tear. It's the best thing I have tried to calm nerves etc.

Ring the school nurse and ask if they can help her with techniques to cope with exam panic. They can make an appointment during school time to speak to your daughter. Request that your daughter sits exam in a separate quite room.

I think you also need to consider a different option for after year 11. If she is this bad with GCSE's then the pressure is double with A Levels, particularly with the changes in A Level courses coming into force. Is there a college option which might offer Performing Arts or Media based courses, these tend to be more coursework and assignment focussed rather than exams which the A Levels are.

I'm surprised the school wouldn't let her start sixth form & resit her GCSE English if necessary alongside her A Levels. That's what happens around here.
Re the actual exam - the key is always confidence. Agree that she needs to practice more so she can be reassured that she has the ability to pass

the reason for the initial C grade is to enable her to access the courses she wants to do - Sociology is essay heavy and I know my colleague that teaches it has pushed for entry to the course changed to a minimum B grade in English. Similar with BTEC - whilst I teach a different subject to your DD op for BTEC Level 3 a minimum C grade in English is required (maths as well for mine)

Tutor , lots of exam practice and a session of therapy - cbt, nlp, mindfulness etc.
Good luck to her.