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Secondary education

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

Original poster

GCSEs 2018 (3)

999 replies

mmzz · 28/01/2018 08:40

Following on from:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3113917-GCSEs-2018-2

OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
HidingFromTheWorld · 07/02/2018 21:20

Oh I'm sure they've found some awesome brain cells! She's going to be fine, what with both her mum and grandmother so passionately on her side. She cannot fail!

Sostenueto · 08/02/2018 04:29

Thanks hiding andFlowersfor your dd!

Original poster
mmzz · 08/02/2018 08:35

Only 2 more days until half-term. I think I am more bothered about DS's academic success than I was about my own. Maybe it is because I know what a difference it can make to your future now and but I was naive then.

Unless we have a major upset, I know he'll do well enough to do the A levels he wants which is what counts. But I can't help it - I still care that he gets a good set of results.

OP posts:
user1469682920 · 08/02/2018 08:44

I know what you mean but I do wonder whether us caring so much and playing a greater role is putting more pressure on the DC.

Original poster
mmzz · 08/02/2018 09:12

Yes, probably it is. But if I don't, then DS will rely on the school to guide him and the school's a comprehensive (i.e. not really interested in the more able kids once they pass a certain threshold).

OP posts:
Teenmum60 · 08/02/2018 09:24

HFTW - Good luck with appt today and hope your DD is ok Stickerrocks - bless her for revising !

Looking forward to HT - although DD in school on Monday doing DT project.

mmzz - I think you cannot help but care ....but I guess this is just part of life and I dare say our DC will be doing the same with their DC too!

Decided to buy DD a office trolley with drawers - its not easy keeping organised when you have two homes - sometimes books etc are never in the right place although she only tends to spend two nights at her dads.

LooseAtTheSeams · 08/02/2018 11:01

Get well soon miniStickerrocks! Thanks
DS mentioned last night he found some useful science videos on YouTube - will ask him for the name later. He said they go through exactly how to answer the questions So it must count as revision!

Sostenueto · 08/02/2018 11:13

The trouble is that we all put pressure on our children unknowingly. I like mmzz don't want my dgd to throw away her chances like I did. I had no one who cared whether I passed or failed as I was in a children's home. I had a gift of music but because I repelled so much never reached my full potential though I got an L.T.C.L diploma and was a qualified paerapetic teacher of brass. I would never toe the line because of my terrible childhood. I don't want my dgd to be poor but most of all I don't want her to waste her talent. So I'm sure that both my dd ( who never worked at school even though I tried to help) and myself must somehow put pressure on dgd inadvertently. We can't help it because we live and care for our children. Its got to be better than having no one that loves or cares about you.

Teenmum60 · 08/02/2018 12:08

Do you think a bottle of wine/chocolates are appropriate for DD to take in on Monday for DT teacher (she's also HOY 11 so quite a stressful job) .....she is giving up a day of HT for the girls - I think they are taking food in for a picnic table (inside obviously).

Sostenueto · 08/02/2018 13:12

Chocolates and wine, why not! I'd like both those if I was a teacher!

LooseAtTheSeams · 08/02/2018 15:22

Can't go wrong with wine and chocs! Flowers are good, too.

Stickerrocks · 08/02/2018 18:17

I would just like to point out that I think she would have preferred to watch the Disney film they were showing the toddlers, but was trying to look big & brave/cool in front of the young male members of staff! Hope it all went well Hftw.

HidingFromTheWorld · 08/02/2018 19:43

Evening everyone,

Thanks for the kind thoughts. It was an emotional and difficult appointment for DD but the consultant is totally on her side and keeping her closely under review over the next few months. He has made available some medication that is only licensed for prescription by the hospital and she is to decide whether she wishes to trial it.

The bloody Classics teacher nearly finished DD off today however. The majority of the class saw poor mock results and the teacher spent a double lesson telling them they obviously require more revision work as they failed to do their best and has set a substantial amount of homework for half term.

While I fully agree that more input and revision support is required, the way in which she approached this with the class today has alienated a fair few students. DD won't allow it to affect her negatively but she was so demoralised by the ear bashing. Fortunately, DH read the riot act to this teacher last night because she kept blaming supply teaching and she has agreed to offer additional support as much as she can. If we have any further issues, we'll be liaising with the HOD.

Hope everyone is okay and, with half term looming, ready for a break!

LooseAtTheSeams · 08/02/2018 20:12

Hiding big hugs to her - she's done so well it's not good she had to sit through that from the classics teacher. I have sometimes had to chivvy my students but I'm very careful how I do it - then again in FE they're not shy of telling you what they think!
I think teachers and students alike are very much looking forward to half term.

Teenmum60 · 08/02/2018 20:13

HFTW - hope everything works out with your DD - tough decision....

Not sure what to say about the Classics teacher - DD's French teacher has the same approach with DD's class and it is demoralising....in fact DD's French tutor could not believe the tone of the comments that the French teacher wrote on DD's Exam paper when DD had gone up from an E to nearly a B in mock exam ... Hope your dD gets the support that she needs ...

HidingFromTheWorld · 08/02/2018 21:09

Thanks Loose and Teenmum.

The Classics teacher has openly admitted during lessons that she needs to retire and questions why she’s still there! She was off for several months this time last year and this clearly affected her mindset but it isn’t fair that it’s having such a detrimental effect on the students.

She used to deliver both History and Classics before going off sick and DDs current History teacher has recently stated that she can see the difference in their learning and overall achievement from where she took over. If this is the case, why isn’t something being done?

For now, just tomorrow to get through then I can issue DD the tlc she needs and spoil her on her 16th. She’s such a lovely young lady, with a tough future ahead physically and I’ll be doing all I can to support her.

Hope everyone’s DC are doing okay all things considered!

HidingFromTheWorld · 08/02/2018 21:10

Also, Teenmum - that’s a huge jump in grades, so well done to her! Was that as a direct result of her tutor in your opinion?

Teenmum60 · 08/02/2018 21:50

HFTW - Probably yes to tutor - but in an indirect way. The tutor is really lovely (she has not taught up to GCSE or IGCSE though), she is patient and DD can openly discuss what areas of French she is not confident with ....but I think the big difference is that DD has a 121 for 1 hour (DD does minimal work at home and will rush homework to get it done - its a chore... I think we have only had 5 sessions with tutor...so its down to confidence building and DD having to focus and use her brian cells)

Someone once told me that I could do anything if I put my mind to it - this applies to DD but she's not yet ready to put her mind/brain into second gear!

Teenmum60 · 08/02/2018 22:14

"Brain"

Stickerrocks · 08/02/2018 22:18

Teen I always use the phrase "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."

androbbob · 08/02/2018 22:19

Evening. Busy few days here and DD has come home with her latest mocks timetable for first week of March! Difficult week - seen her counsellor this week and it appears to have drained her, difficult conversation about happiness and balance in life, but adamant she is not dropping any of her GCSE's. Was definite about that. Not sure how the next few months are going to play out and I can forsee a big crash in the summer after exams completed and school ended, but will deal with that when occurs.

Prom dress shopping on Sunday - not looking forward to that! Her aunty is coming as well so any tension will be diluted. Will let her have her choice within reason.

Loving this thread to reassure me what we are experiencing is normal and everyone in the same boat. sticklerrocks - tongue well and truly bitten! Teenmum60 yes agree with you!

sandybayley - work experience here was done just before Christmas in Yr 11 - not best time for employers really as winding down for Christmas or really busy. DD enjoyed it though being in an office environment with some real tasks to do.

Daily coming back from tests and getting 7's in chemistry and French, so the little and often revision plus after school revision is doing something. Not sure when it should be ramped up, as 14 weeks to first exam!!

mmzz - half term started here today, apart from a 2 hour session Saturday and 2 hr session Friday and a 2 hour session next Saturday. I fully expect little other revision done most days - as long as a minimum of 2 hours per day is done (including those sessions) all will be good.

HFTW hope your DD gets through the next few months positively, hard enough being a teenager and then add on an serious illness. I definitely think confidence in their abilities is a big part of these exams. they need reminding how awesome they all are!

HidingFromTheWorld · 08/02/2018 22:56

Androb - thank you. I completely agree about a big crash over the summer and we’re preparing ourselves for the worst, which is what happened last year. We have a holiday booked, but it’s only 20 minutes from home with access to GP/hospital should we need it.

I hope your DD is okay. I really do feel for them all. It’s a tough age to have so much pressure. They’re still learning who they are and where they want to go in life!

Teenmum - my DD is brilliant at revising her preferred subjects, but really hard work with the trickier ones! Enforced revision with clear study goals seems the way forward. I was much like you, I could do anything I put my mind to. But if it didn’t interest me, I really struggled to engage my brain and learn.

Teenmum60 · 09/02/2018 01:46

Stickerrocks - so true .....

Androb - Your DD sounds like she is doing well with revision....enjoy the Prom Dress shopping we have that lined up too... happiness and balance in life - so hard to deal with at 15/16 when everything just seems geared to exams.

HFTW - My DD was similar at start of revision although I do know that she is "eager" to pass all her exams even History (& French) which there has always been little focus on - In fact I think she's actually enjoyed History this year.

Oddly enough DD heard from Careers lady at school today asking if she wanted to take up a 3 day Interior Design WE (May have something to do with the fact that DD told HT she was staying on - on Monday!) No information about where it is - but I told DD to say YES anyhow ....

I'm actually immensely proud of DD (even though she drives me mad with her indolence). She's helping out at Brownies and really loving it and wants to continue after dofe completion she seems to have natural empathy ...perhaps teaching will be her forte!

BlueBelle123 · 09/02/2018 11:18

Well DS was attempting some computing revision last night and I have come to the conclusion that computing is like marmite you either love it or hate it and DS definitely isn't loving it!! In fact the up shot of the session was that he is going to burn the revision guide after the last computing exam on the basis there is no way he is going to give it to charity as he doesn't want to inflict this misery on anyone else.........I wonder who suggested he should do computing in the first place(hides under table)!!

DoNotBringLulu · 09/02/2018 11:27

Hi everybody

I hope half term is productive (it's next week here) with the dc having some time for relaxing. My very lucky ds is going on a Geography trip to Iceland tomorrow; there will be no revision until Thursday when he's back.

Good luck with Prom dress shopping Androbob and Teenmum I don't think my ds will go to the prom unless he changes his mind!

mmzz I understand where you are coming from when you say that you're more worried about your ds's academic success than your own. I left school with very few qualifications but did study later on and went to university. It would have been easier to work harder at school and carry on with education.

My ds's school has a lovely idea, they have asked us all (also other adults in their lives) to write a motivational good luck message and they will be given to the year 11s a the last assembly before GCSEs, so end of term. They've just sent an email chasing us all up about it. A lovely idea I think. Apparently the teachers dress up as superheroes as well!

Ds has just done his Science mocks and he thinks he has done badly. We'll wait until the results are given out before worrying as he said that about some mocks he took before Christmas and actually did OK....he thought he would only get a 3 for Religious Studies, but he got a 5 which is respectable enough, and he's going to revision classes for RS.

I helped ds with some History homework and it's sparked an interest with me in reading about the Cold War, very interesting....I didn't know anything at all about the Vietnam War.

For English Lit he is listening to Richard E Grant reading Jekyll and Hyde - would high recommend it as he brings it to life together with Victorian gentleman voices. Is anybody taking their dc to see Christopher Ecclestone's Macbeth shown live in cinemas? I believe it's in April shown all over. I did watch the Michael Fassbender dvd of Macbeth, I wasn't very impressed...