GCSEs 2018 (3)

[mmzz]

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

Yes teenmum, physics, maths and chemistry. Ridiculous. I knew we might get physics as he had already sent e mails saying they would not complete syllabus until right near the exams which I think is shoddy of the school and there's physics revision classes at lunchtimes. But even so its not fair really.

The revision guides are for science, I think that is where the greatest need is , maths have also recommended guides along with PE not sure about the others. But as DS has been using the science ones to plug gaps, it's nice to know that everyone in the class can do likewise.

Ds said that people are actually starting to talk about revision now, I think its dawning on them that the exams are fast approaching

We bought all revision guides ourselves and more besides like exam questions for maths, biology and chemistry for higher levels. Plus some really good Pearson maths revision cards for level 8-9. Oh and of course Mr Salle's. My dgd should have got them free but the school always seems to forget to give them to her. We did get an apology though. We asked that the books she should have got be given to a pupil we knew whose parents did not qualify but were struggling which they duly did.

Sostenueto I think virtually all schools's are in the same position regarding not finishing the syllabus until Easter and beyond, certainly the case at DS's school and others I have spoken to.

Dgd did get given an RE revision guide....well we were supposed to pay £7.50 but being as we never received free books we kind if accident, purposely, didn't pay for it!

Its because they have do much more to learn with new exams bluebelle and then compounded even more by the fact that they are fast tracked for triple, only top 60 pupils allowed to do the triple but only get teaching time of 2 GCSEs instead of three.

This cohort have an awful lot to put up with

That's the same as DS's school whether you do combined or triple its the same amount of hours.

DD had a self study Computer Science topic she had to complete at home but it was 1 hr per week in place of homework....there science subjects were 3 yr syllabus so I think they have worked out OK.

I cannot work out Maths though - they have finished the syllabus so its just revision now in class yet they are still being asked to go to after school classes on Wednesday ?

There's an RE revision guide? For the Catholic syllabus?? I thought that did not exist! What's it called?
I haven't said this to DS, but I always think of the RE gcse as the pain in the neck GCSE that he had to take to keep the diocese happy, but he's never going to use it, and no one values it. Is that too strong?

Will tell you tomorrow mmzz as dgd has it at her home. Also it depends what r.e exam your doing. In hers she is studying catholicism and judasism as main topics I think. Some are doing Islam and hinduism etc. Will tell all tomorrow I think its s Pearson one but not sure.

My dgd christened catholic but is an outright atheist! We are practicing catholics and she goes to masses if she has to. Its only this last year that she's decided she doesnt believe, must be her scientific thinking. So is the head girl an atheist! The head boy is c of e and its a catholic school. She just got 93% in latest r.e assessment is top of her class and I asked her why does she work so hard for r.e being as she's not religious? She says its easy

Edexcel 2/3rds RC, 1/3rd Judaism. Even if your DGD is doing AQA, the syllabus is going to be very similar. I'd appreciate the book name, if possible.
There is so much material to learn that I am hoping either the questions will be ultra easy or the grade boundaries are low.

Regarding triple science, DS's school squeezes 3 GCSEs into the double slot too. It hasn't been the biggest challenge for finishing in good time though (that dubious prize goes to RE and Geography)

I think a lot of the DC are atheists. DS wasn't when he left primary, but RE lessons have led him to be very sceptical. As far as I know, everyone made their first communion but only 10% did their confirmation last year.
I don't know if that's despite, or because of, the RE lessons.

It’s probably already been covered, but thread too big too read all the posts.

DS got his timetable today and has a clash and another exam the same day?

How do they handle clashes? Am guessing not like my school days when someone got pleasure of a night at the headmistress’s house!

Eve
www.theexamsoffice.org/userfiles/files/2015_2016/Resolving%20exam%20clashes_2016.pdf

Eve - email the school exam officer asap

Yes mmzz is the only edexel exam dgd doing. Will give you title tomorrow as I don't have book here. Yes geography nearly finished and r.e but still do not have date for Spanish speaking exam.
Sciences a way to go, maths nearly complete, English a way to go ( don't seem to have done a lot on Romeo and Juliet) but Frankenstein and inspector calls thoroughly done. Poetry revision classes start next week.
Art is behind and dgd hardly done any lately, had to remind her to print off photos and she hasn't even started on plan for exam piece! She hasn't even picked an artist yet!

I told dgd either give up art or put dome damn effort in!

Dd made me laugh when she stated she had to put a production plan together for her DT perfume bottle and packaging ... apparently the paint is ordered now ...I think I would really enjoy DT - I'm not creative but it sounds fun to be able to design,make and package a product.

alexander enjoy Hamilton! We're going in a few weeks.
loose I'm so glad your DS is keeping up with the music during GCSE year
And many thanks, teenmum - It should be good!

WJEC Edugas here for RE with Christianity & Islam. The school has always made them sit a half GCSE in year 10, but they decided this year would be special and would have the privilege of taking the full GCSE in year 11 instead. They've reverted to the old system for the current year 10s. This means the staff are trying to get 2 year groups through their GCSE in the summer and have no idea whatsoever what they are doing.

I threatened to withdraw DD after Easter, as her predicted grade is such an anomaly with her others. Her teacher has succeeded in turning a subject which DD actually quite enjoyed at the start of the course into the equivalent of someone scratching nails down a blackboard, a thoroughly painful experience.

drummersmum Which date are you seeing Hamilton - we are 26th March - seems to have come round quickly now...

I managed to get some Wimbledon tickets from the ballot via post today - so they will be a nice treat after GCSE's finish....although the date may clash with work experience

DS has to do RE as a half unit GCSE. I can't say he's thrilled at yet more exams.
Both dcs off school sick today. DS developed raging headache last night - not helped by having to finish an English paper he claims he hadn't known about on top of 2 hours or more of drumming!
We've cancelled one music lesson in the summer term but he's keeping both bands going.

Omg! On the news just now apparently low achieving children are being excluded unnecessarily so that they don't sit the GCSEs so school league tables not affected! I can't believe it! Is this really happening? If it is its absolutely shocking!