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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Starting Y11 support thread

999 replies

AtiaoftheJulii · 05/09/2016 13:02

(Yeah, I'm procrastinating ....)

For all those with one or two (or more?) offspring going into year 11: controlled assessments, coursework, practicals, performances, GCSE revision (or not ...), being guinea pigs for the Maths and English 1to9 exams, choosing what to do next - schools/sixth form colleges/college/apprenticeships/BTECs/A levels and more - and generally being 15!

It's a tough year academically - in some ways harder than sixth form I think because there are just so many subjects and exams - and a tough year emotionally - not always mature enough to organise themselves, too old to have organisation imposed upon them!

Ds still has an MFL CA, a couple of science practical CAs, and two assessed drama performances, plus coursework to do for History I think. I can't see there's going to be much let up and he's definitely feeling the pressure Sad I think he'll probably end up staying at his school for 6th form (he's very mathsy and his school is a good fit) but we may well look at a couple of sixth form colleges as he's already talking about whether he can go somewhere that won't feel quite so pushy.

OP posts:
Original poster
AtiaoftheJulii · 11/09/2016 15:54

I assume it's 28 weeks of school, so you can add another few weeks for half terms and holidays Smile

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Laniakea · 11/09/2016 15:54

It's 28 school weeks exam!

Dd's decided that she isn't going to look at the one other 6th form option, she's happy to stay put. Their school 6th form open day is the end of November so that's probably the only one we'll go to.

A levels - phys/chem/biol & geography (at the moment!)

BertrandRussell · 11/09/2016 16:07

Ds is very determined to move. His school doesn't do all the subjects he wants to do, so he has to. But, as I said, he has to do very well.

We've agreed an hour a day and see how it goes. Except Tuesday which is taken up with sport.

bigTillyMint · 11/09/2016 16:14

Bertrand, that sounds doable.

DS will have to plan a weekly timetable to allow him time for all subjects as 2 nights are lost to footy training, though he is saying he might stay in school to see nights to work and then go directly to footy. We will see!
He may have to move if he doesn't get the grades/doesn't want to do Alevels, but he would be very happy to stay.

minesawine · 11/09/2016 16:20

My DS has no idea what he wants to do for A Levels and beyond. I think he still thinks he is going to play for Arsenal and have a WAG on his arm!

He has mentioned economics a few times but that is because his 2 cousins are doing it and tell him it is interesting. I am going to email the economics teacher to see whether she will have a chat with him about the course content. Other than that, not a clue for the other 2 or 3 subjects. He is predicted A's for all subjects, but finds everything equally boring.

I am very jealous of the parents whose DC's already know what they want to do. It is much easier when they are focussed and have a goal.

BertrandRussell · 11/09/2016 16:47

When asked what he wanted to do with his life, my ds told a friend of mine (who reported back to me) "When mum asks, I want be an actor but study law to fall back on. When anyone else asks, I miss out the law bit"

Toffeewhirl · 11/09/2016 17:20

That's very funny, Bertrand Grin

DS1 is set on taking Physics, Maths, Computer Science and Web Design at A level. So he has to get Bs in his Science, Maths and Computer Science GCSEs.

bigTillyMint · 11/09/2016 17:52

wine, Economics sounds like a decent choice (DH's subject!) - DD enjoyed it but had to drop one at A2.

Bertrand Grin

RaskolnikovsGarret · 11/09/2016 18:03

DD was adamant that she wanted to do languages, but has now said she finds languages too easy, and wants to do sciences as they challenge her mind more. Strange logic in my view.

The result is that she hasn't got a real clue what A levels she wants to do; her current choice is Physics, Chemistry, Latin and either Maths or German. She has no ideas about careers etc, and I wish she didn't need to decide on A levels so soon.

Original poster
AtiaoftheJulii · 11/09/2016 18:14

I'd go for Maths, Physics, Latin and German and chuck the Chemistry Grin Depends what she wants to do where though I guess.

toffee I'm assuming Web Design isn't an A level?

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Original poster
AtiaoftheJulii · 11/09/2016 18:22

Actually, I probably wouldn't, I loved my Chemistry A level, but I'm not sure it's such fun these days!

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Laniakea · 11/09/2016 18:52

Oh no - I loved chemistry Grin drop the evil maths!

Dsis did A levels four years ago, chemistry was the best but by far the hardest (she did chem/biol/psychology/English lit; she got As for all of them but really had to work for the chemistry.

MrsBartlet · 11/09/2016 18:54

Grin Brilliant BertrandRussell!

pointythings · 11/09/2016 18:56

DD1 wants to do History, Biology and English Lit. The school does allow for 4 A-levels for pupils considered strong enough and she may be one of those - she would like to do something philosophy/ethics based if it's offered because she really loves RE. She isn't religious at all, but the way it is taught at her school is incredibly broad and open.

RaskolnikovsGarret · 11/09/2016 20:04

Yes she's not keen on maths. Can you do physics/future science courses without it?

Philosophy sounds great, pointythings.

Original poster
AtiaoftheJulii · 11/09/2016 20:33

She'd have to look at some uni websites I think. There certainly can be lots of maths in physics degrees, and even in chemistry degrees (my dd1's friends were doing loads of calculus in their first year). If she looked at somewhere like Leeds that offers lots of joint honours, she could probably do e.g. physics and German, and use the narrower focus to avoid too much maths perhaps, lol!

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MrsBartlet · 11/09/2016 21:08

pointythings - my dd is an atheist and she did RE A level. It was all philosophy and ethics and she loved it.

errorofjudgement · 11/09/2016 21:27

Right, spent this morning getting to grips with DDs extra curricular timetable for this term. Luckily she is very focused and has great time management skills - needs to be given she has 10 classes a week outside school! Pressure definitely on this term as she has mocks in November, and 5 dance exams in December.
DD is still deciding whether she wants to go down the performing arts route (looking at 2 dance schools and 2 college courses) or stick with A levels (looking at current school plus 2 others)
After Christmas, the plan is to scale back on dance until after the GCSEs. Though she won't stop completely.
Looking at her timetable, DD can comfortably manage 7 hours pw of homework/revision, (most weeks).

She is so different to her brothers, they didn't even look at any other schools/options as their school is great for the maths and science A-levels they wanted.

RaskolnikovsGarret · 11/09/2016 21:35

DD would love to do physics and German!

Wow error, your DD sounds great - managing 10 classes out of school is seriously impressive!

RaskolnikovsGarret · 11/09/2016 21:36

November mocks is a great idea. DD's are right after Christmas, which means the holidays are spoiled for them.

minesawine · 11/09/2016 21:53

My DS has his mocks in November/December which is good as it gives him the Christmas break to (a) celebrate his brilliance or (b) lick his wounds and focus on stepping up and knuckling down

QueenofQuirkiness · 11/09/2016 21:55

DD wants to stay on for sixth form, but is having a bit of a wobble as according to her everyone is saying that they are going to leave...not sure how true that is, and I presume most of them will end up staying.
As for A Levels, she wants to do Psychology, History, French and something else. What that something else is, I have no clue, it changes between English Lit ('but mum that would be a bad choice because I don't want to do three essay subjects!'), Music ('but I'll probably fail it or be confused the whole time') or Statistics ('I don't even know what this subject is but I don't know what else to do!') Hmm

QueenofQuirkiness · 11/09/2016 21:57

Not to forget she also has her 'backup plan' of becoming a dancer and wants to look around some dance schools too...hooray

pointythings · 11/09/2016 22:02

MrsB my DD is a pagan. She has gone vegetarian and is passionate about moral and ethical issues. I would absolutely support her taking RE to AS level, and if her school lets her take 4 then she should totally take it to A2. The teaching team at her school are great. I am a stone atheist myself, but RE well taught can add enormous value to everything else they are doing.

DD had her first shoot after 18 months out with injury and loved it, so we will do everything we can to keep that going. It's fun, it's outdoors, it's hugely social with a wide range of people involved. So glad I spent £££ on a bow that she can use with her mobility problems.

Azure · 11/09/2016 22:24

Can I join in? DS doing 10 GCSEs. He has some French and Sports Studies controlled assessments this term. Lots of homework so far and so he has reluctantly decided not to do the silver D of E this year. I'm hoping he's finally realised that putting in some work should mean better results.