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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Anyone else have children sitting GCSE's this summer?

93 replies

Milliways · 01/01/2007 15:20

Juat thought it might be nice to have a small parental support group!

Coping with Teenagers going through Revision / Mocks / STress etc

DD had her mocks before Christmas, can't believe this is the last term that she will HAVE to go to school!!!

Anypone else out there?

OP posts:
shewhoneverdusts · 15/01/2007 14:51

Hiya
My dd (13) is doing three this year. She's taking English Language, Statistics, and module 1 of the science course (not that it means anything to me, when I was at school we did all three science subject separately!)
I have to say I am hating this year, the pressure is too much for her as she is young to be taking them anyway. I just keep saying it's not the end of the world if it doesn't go how you would like it to. that's probably not the best advice but to be honest I don't know what else to say.

Original poster
Milliways · 15/01/2007 16:04

Gosh, 13 is early! Does she feel the pressure? AT least you can reassure her that she can always re-sit if wants a higher grade.

DD had her 16th party this weekend, a nice break from the books!

OP posts:
Original poster
Milliways · 26/01/2007 20:20

We had Rising Sixth night last night. Luckily our 6th form is rated as Grade 1 Outstanding by Ofsted, and they encourage ALL pupils back who genuinly want to gain more qualifications (Resits, Btecs, AS & Alevels).

I think DD has finally chosen her 4 subjects so can now back her up at parents night where EVERY teacher thinks you should do their subject.

Can't believe applications to 6th forms needed already.

OP posts:
Lilymaid · 27/01/2007 18:44

In our area applications have to be in by February 9th (i.e. just before half term). DSs has gone in - via the school - already despite the fact that we have not yet had a parents evening or report. Many hours have been spent producing his personal statement at a time when he has a lot of coursework.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 27/01/2007 18:47

We've just had parents evening and I think ds2 is shocked at how much revision he's expected to do

He's just finished a revision timetable which looks lovely but I'm not sure that he'll stick to it!

Callmemadam · 30/01/2007 21:41

Boarding school so no pressure here . seriously though, ds1 is taking his this year. Interesting to read posts as some pupils seem to be under greater pressure than ds - just did his parents/pre 6th meeting and his school actively instructs staff NOT to suggest that a pupil takes his or her subject at A level.

REIDnotREEDorREAD · 30/01/2007 21:58

geoggy teacher here to help if needed x

Original poster
Milliways · 22/03/2007 22:35

So, how's it going?

Frech & German Orals done this week. It's gettig real now!

OP posts:
Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 22/03/2007 22:39

ds2 is sticking to his timetable (surprisingly). Maybe needs to do a bit more though!!

mumof3teens · 23/03/2007 12:53

DS2 STILL "finishing off" IT and History coursework. Worked for mocks and got good grades but I fear he has peaked too early! We are going away to the Lakes for a fortnight at Easter, so hopefully he will get quite a bit of revision done then

Lilymaid · 23/03/2007 13:01

DS2 is working very hard. Finishing off course work this weekend (DT, Maths, Geography) in between two lots of private tuition. Breaks up next Friday and is spending the following two weeks doing revision courses at his own request! We are amazed how he has matured in the last couple of months and is organising himself so well.

chestnutty · 28/03/2007 19:02

dd has finished ICT and textiles coursework this week. Shes doing a BTEC in sport as well -worth 2 GCSE's and solely coursework - so that is on going,but she does work most lunchtimes and stay behind after school.
The beauty of BTEC is in May she gets an extra 3 hours per week in school time to revise as the course is finishged

Original poster
Milliways · 17/04/2007 21:36

DD finished her last bit of coursework over the Easter holidays

Lots of revising going on now!

Is everyone still smiling?

OP posts:
Lilymaid · 18/04/2007 10:06

DS really appreciated his Easter revision courses and the enthusiasm of the teachers taking the class (he has rather given up on his current school). French oral next week, so I shall be spending time with him listening to his party piece and learning French teenage argot. We had his resistant materials project home for the holidays for varnishing and adding finishing touches, so am pleased it is no longer clogging up the kitchen.

mumof3teens · 18/04/2007 17:12

Wouldn't say smiling exactly Milliways! DS2 seems to be doing quite a bit of revision but is doing a lot of the subjects he really likes (Biology, chemistry etc) and not so much of the ones he doesn't Now I have looked at the exam timetable it seems frighteningly close

Lilymaid · 22/04/2007 15:33

DS has four pieces of homework this weekend - courses not completed, so no chance of revising at school and they will be thrown out for good in another 3 weeks. I'm

mumof3teens · 23/04/2007 17:13

We had this whole last-minute-coursework thing with DS1 and swore it wouldn't happen with DS2 & DS3 I wonder if daughters are any better?

Lilymaid · 23/04/2007 17:25

For my DS it is homework rather than coursework - the teachers have not yet finished the courses and the pupils will be thrown out of the scool on exam leave on May 11.

mumof3teens · 10/05/2007 15:54

Well - they have started now! Spanish oral today - just waiting for him to come home and tell me how it went! He has been reciting the whole thing for the last 2 weeks - it will seem strange not hearing it all the time.

Original poster
Milliways · 10/05/2007 19:41

DD has had French & German Orals, first written paper Monday 14th. She only has a few papers before half-term, then almost 2 a day for 2 weeks!

Roll on July!

OP posts:
mumof3teens · 11/05/2007 09:21

Milliways - how has your DD found doing both French & German? My DS3 is still trying to decide between French & German & German & Music at GCSE. He's pretty good at languages but also Music (although he does gradings in Piano & Clarinet anyway). Spanish oral seemed to go well. As you say, only 3 exams next week then it really steps up. DS3 has had SATS exams all this week. Be REALLY glad on 15th June (last GCSE) then just the results to "look forward" to!

Original poster
Milliways · 13/05/2007 20:43

LAnguages are her best subject, although she does sometimes find it confusing. Her big thing now is whether to do both at A or at least AS level!

Nerves had hit home now.

GOOD LUCK to everyone next week.

OP posts:
scienceteacher · 14/05/2007 13:58

My DS1 is taking French, RS and Science this year

chestnutty · 16/05/2007 21:34

dd had leavers assembly this morning and only attends school for exams now.
She's fine with it but I find it quite scary. End of her school days!

Lilymaid · 17/05/2007 11:45

DS had leaver's assembly etc last week and this week revision classes are voluntary. He has gone to them all and got lots of useful revision notes as well as doing practice questions. Less than one third of the year have been at school at any point. This is an advantage to DS but must be a disadvantage to those who didn't bother to attend.

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