Parents of Year 11s - the end has been and gone

[BitOutOfPractice]

The thread that got us all through the exams is now full so here's a new one to get us through the nervous wait for results

Well done to all our brave Y11s and wish every last one of them all the best

Link to the last thread

Ah yes, I have one with ASD, ADHD & hypermobility who has pain & difficulty with handwriting. He isn't doing GCSEs until 2018 so I'm trying to cross one bridge at a time.

Oh yes. My planned 'ideal' 2 year gap has bitten me in the bum this year. DS1 doing A levels and now off to Uni next month DS2 GCSEs, change to EHCP, change to PIP, change from school to college, having to catch a bus...

I have DS3 as well who'll be doing the new GCSEs in 2018. We'll be here holding hands for that and on the BTEC / Y13 thread!

I actually remember you from a support thread you were on (or possibly even started) for secondary school transition. I've had one or two name changes since then though.

In terms of age gaps, I've realised that in the summer of 2020 I'll have one doing A-levels and two doing GCSEs. May & June will be interesting...

Wow, I loved that thread. 5 years ago... (Wonders who you are?)

Gosh, 2020 will be ..um.. interesting for you. For me, DS3 doing A levels, DS1 working post degree or doing MSc, not looking that far ahead for DS2!

I just went on to that thread. Oh the worries! Homework, school bus issues, sticky back plastic!! I'm so much more chilled over this transition, just not what is happening next week that I shall not think about.

Looks like we will be giving a lift to friends on the day we mustn't think about.

I have offered lifts for friends, I have offered breakfast out somewhere either before or after, with or without friends. It is still not a topic for discussion.

I've been lurking on the A level threads and it's making me feel a whole lot better about next week. It's really given me a sense of proportion.

the a level threads have worried me. So many grades that were thought to be in the bag and weren't. So many disappointed rl friends.

Ah, my transition thread was in Special Needs. More flapping and anxiety even than your average NT parent!

It's a big step up to A levels, it's true, but the support on here is excellent.

The A Levels threads have terrified me, and I had a proper anxiety dream last night. DD has it all in proportion and is an oasis of calm. I think she has actually grown up this summer!

My 2 year gap slipped to a 3 year gap between DC 2 and 3 so might get a little bit if breathing space! This is my 4th year of results, starting with early entry GCSEs but my only double.

I couldn't even begin to predict DDs GCSEs. I'm sure they are better than she thinks.

I'm not sure I can survive the doom and gloom til Thursday though.

5 sleeps to go!! Eek!!

Well done to those with DC's who have had their iGCSE results in.

DS has admitted he is nervous and is not looking forward to results day. I'm trying to keep him occupied although I'm not sure if it's working.

He can't decide if he wants me to come in with him or wait outside...

It is getting scarily close now. DD is doing extra shifts at her part time job over the next few days, which I think is going to help keep her mind off the panic. Not sure what I'm going to do to take my own mind off the panic!

dd is trying to work out what to do over the next three days to keep herself occupied. Shes a pretty independent traveller, but can't find anything she fancies.

DS1 has barely been home in the last two weeks. He sometimes comes home to eat and shower. Sometimes he comes home to sleep, but just as often sleeps at friends' houses or camps in their gardens. He is mostly v.good at letting me know where he is and who he is with. They often don't get to sleep until 4am or later, so every few days he stays home and literally sleeps all day.

I'm so relieved that he is healthy and was able to sit his GCSEs with his peers, that I'm being quite relaxed about it. DH is referring to it as DS1's rumspringa.

I asked him whether he had any post-results social plans, but apparently every 16 year old in the entire county (apart from him) will be making their way to Reading on Thursday afternoon. He had already made plans to go to Greenbelt with friends, so will go there on Fri after college enrolment.

DS's college enrolment is on Wed 31st, which seems very late. I'm not sure if we have to inform them of his results before then unless he doesn't get his grades, in which case we ring them on Friday.

We're going to have to practise catching the public bus, a new experience for him. (ASD and EHCP)

Ellenjane DS's college are enrolling Tue-Wed-Thur the week after the bank holiday, they don't start back until the 12th though. He has to take his results slip with him, I'm assuming that they can sort out wobbles and subject changes on the day.

Thanks Icould. DS has a slot at 1.00pm on the Wed, I think they are enrolling all week, or similar to your DS's college. DS's letter says to ring Friday if results haven't gone to plan, but fingers crossed. Glad it wasn't Thursday as I'm back to work then and DS2 needs the support.

Wow, just checked the college website to see if the course is a BTEC or Cambridge Technical (couldn't find out!) but they have reduced the entrance criteria! No longer 5 A to C including English and maths, now 4 A to C including English and maths Or 5 A to C including English Or* maths. Yippee! I can't see DS missing that.

That's great news, I'm glad the pressure is off for him.

Apologies to being missing for the last few weeks. Real life took over! DS2 had end of Year 7 exams and reports and (as he's been rather neglected whilst DS1 was in the middle of GCSEs) we needed to make sure he knew we were focussing on him for a while.

We flew to Florida on holiday the week after school broke up. We've now been back home a week and back down to earth with a bump!!

We managed not to think about Thursday for a few weeks but it now seems scarily real and DS1 is starting to worry. He's dug out the Sixth Form offer letter to double check what grades he needs and is now feeling slightly reassured that he should get the grades.

Hope everyone else is struggling through ok to Thursday?

lovely to have you back 2Gorgeous :)

we have some pretty horrid stuff going on irl at the moment, trying to keep things looking chilled and ok on the surface for dd. I'm also massively dreading the super early mornings and fully back into work in two weeks.

let's not think about later on this week, OK?

I've run out of happy songs.

Sorry to hear things are hard kitten. Have these from me: