My worse nightmare (for dramatic effect)! is just unfolding at this moment. DS is in Y10. Until now, the school has made of point of not offering GCSEs in year 10 as they didn't believe that this was to their benefit. Last Summer, my parents offered by some money to take my son on holiday, something we have never done. DS has talked about going on a cruise for some years (has a bit of an obsession for large ships) and I found our holiday of a lifetime during the May holiday, unfortunately, that meant him missing two days of school, the last day of term and first back. I debated for ages, but his attendance is excellent (100% so far) and thought it was the best time to do it as not an option the next year.
I got the news on Monday that this year, they were doing one of their GCSEs on the day we are due to go and at a time that means we won't make it on time. He is absolutely devastated and I now feel like the worse mum for booking it in the first place. In the end, his education is more important than anything else. He is a straight A student and I wouldn't want this to be compromised, but at the same time, if there is something that can be done that we can still go on this cruise then I would like to consider it. Which leads to me question, is taking the exam as a private candidate an option at all? He has done the control assessment already, would that be an issue? Does it mean he would have to take it the following year?
My gut feeling is telling me that this is probably not option, but I want to be able to say to him that I've looked into it before cancelling the trip if there is no choice (and lose the hefty deposit, but that's my fault).