GCSEs 2018 (2)

[Stickerrocks]

Pre-empting our 1000th post.

WhatHaveIFound - same as my DD she was always on the Orange/Red border (constant worry - under school nurse for 12 months) but seemed to eat really well....however her periods started late (when she was 14 - again was beginning to worry), since then she has managed to put on weight - mainly all in the last 9 months and now is on 29th centile. Definitely get a referral - not all GP's are brilliant when it comes to Hypermobility ...

The good/bad teacher debate seems very hard at the time, but as time goes on you realise that this is going to be a problem throughout life, bad uni teachers, bad bosses, horrible lazy colleagues in the office. Unless the teacher is actually bullying you, you learn that not everything goes smoothly, and that maybe some other teacher is more wonderful than might normally be the case. Dd has two boring teachers who have put her off the subject (Chinese and Geography) and it is very sad, and wasted a wonderful opportunity, but i have to contrast that with some amazing teachers who have inspired her. It is also a personality thing, a teacher that inspires one child/class, may not manage another class or individual. In the end the results for that class will affect that teacher, and the poor teacher can also be brought down by difficult pupils.

I've fired off an email last week threatening to withdraw DD from her RE GCSE because the marks were such an anomaly with her other papers. Lo & behold the head of RE has now shown an interest in giving her some feedback, even though her actual teacher hadn't. DD dislikes her RE teacher because (in her view) she simply isn't as helpful as their last one who left. Therefore she has written off RE in her head, despite knowing that disliking the teacher is not a good enough reason to screw up an entire GCSE!

Long story, but cutting it short, the HoD called me about 6 weeks ago. Neither of us said it, but reading between the lines, I think the teacher is a NQT and the HoD knows she's not doing that well. I got the feeling, from talking to the Hod, that DS isn't the only one in the class who isn't thriving with that teacher. The question is: will the HoD try to intervene or will she wait for August?
The SLT have asked for feedback from all GCSE students and their parents, along the lines of "are there any problem subjects and what can we, as a school, do to help? I'm tempted to tell them.

MMzz - I would say something but try and word it in a constructive way...(although I will have to really bite my tongue with the Chemistry teacher in a few weeks time - its obviously an issue because its the only science where the school have had poor results (7 children failed their GCSE last year and its probably why they have opted for Double Science in the lower set).
DD had a good day today found Maths fairly easy and she said she even answered the last question on the paper which she sometimes struggles with ...French was OK - so just three more mocks - two tomorrow and one on Monday and then they have Tuesday off !

How about, it would really help DS prepare for the exams if he were to know how much detail is about right for the exam answers, and it would be really helpful if he could have some of the classwork marked too?

I think that's perfect - it gets the point over without pointing the finger directly at the teacher....

Feeling allot happier DD has just asked whether its possible to swap from Business A Level to Biology A level - I was hoping she would opt for 2 sciences - just hope she gets decent mock grades now ...

DD had a link come through for some 15/16 year old Uni courses during summer - which maybe of interest to any children going the STEM route they are also affordable ! www.etrust.org.uk/headstart/inspire-courses

Biology is an enabling subject, whereas Business is not, so that's a good swop if your DD wants to keep her options open.

Thanks for link teenmum

Dgd doing biology, maths, geography and psychology A levels. She likes biology, says she us more interested in it than chemistry which is a shame really because she us much better at chemistry, but she says the only reason she us better at chemistry is because there us not so much information to learn as biology. Yes chemistry is harder and she puts physics as hardest out if 3 sciences.

Sorry a about u and I lol!

mmzz go for it. If the head waits until the GCSE results are out, that won't help your DS.

Has anyone else's DC signed up for NCS this summer?

Sticker - my DD is doing NCS from 23rd July. Her pack came through and her first meet up is in April, we paid £35 for it with a hoodie and I was surprised she wanted to do it. They must have done a good sales pitch when they came into school!

I’m really annoyed as dd2 is away with her Dad and comes back the day ncs starts. They won’t accept her a day late and he won’t change his dates. She’s also missing a 3 day Uni residental by being away with him.

stickerrocks I've heard really good reports from people who have done NCS, DS says he wants to look for a job instead!

teenmum DS also has a very poor chemistry teacher, he just uses the CGP guide to help cover all the gaps, I hope its enough as he wants to do it for A level, although the school only asks for a 6.

NCS?

mmzz www.ncsyes.co.uk hopefully the link will work!

Don't think the link is working but just google National Citizen Service and you will be able to read all about it

I have same issue re NCS -DD away with dad from 28/7 and she has work experience at the beginning of July which basically ruled out NCS during summer - she can still do it the following yr so we will look at it then.

What are everyone's plans for revision going forward. I was intending to suggest to DD that she takes next week off completely (having just done mocks) and then does 1hr per day (perhaps a little more during HT) but different subject each day....she has not been getting any homework for ages (apart from French) so I think this is more than reasonable.

Re: revision
Ds's school (which is rated outstanding partly because it gets some of the best results for a comprehensive in the country) have emailed parents to suggest 2 subjects per night at 45 mins each for now. More from half term onwards and full ahead from Easter holidays onwards.
I suspect that's fairly optimised advice esp as that's from a school that really didn't bother with homework for the first 4 years so it's hardly a hot house

mmzz that’s good advice, I think. I suggested to DS at the moment that if he doesn’t have homework, the homework is revision or exam prep for art. To be fair, the school seems to be setting revision tasks for homework, but when he gets maths that tends to take a long time as the tasks are quite challenging, especially for additional maths.

My DVD still getting homework which she does first then revision if anytime left from 2 hours. She sets her own strict timetable, get home from school 5 pm dinner then half hour relax then upstairs for study till 8 pm shower and relax till bedtime usually 9 30 pm. Up in morning at 6 a m revision on train etc etc etc...we trust her to revise properly and English teacher now set 3 timed exam papers for English language for her to do over weekend on line. Saturday she won't be doing much as she us out with friends for posh meal for birthday party! She's got to have some fun!

NCS looks really good! Will have to see if dgd would be interested!