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Secondary education

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Original poster

GCSEs 2018 (4 already)

999 replies

Stickerrocks · 24/02/2018 20:56

Following on from www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3152060-GCSEs-2018-3

OP posts:
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14
mmzz · 05/03/2018 14:23

@Teenmum60 Thanks.

(PS Unfortunately, no, its a different school that has made DS an offer)

Sostenueto · 05/03/2018 14:46

Thank you looseFlowers

Teenmum60 · 05/03/2018 16:08

Silly question time, but do you think Oral examinations contain the same questions to each student? I think DD has 5 topics of conversation ...I know DD's tutor told her not to worry if the questions(conversation) started getting harder because this just meant that she was doing well and not to let it phase her... I think the teachers choose the topics for the candidates (poor DD she is not the flavour of the month with FT)?

Sostenueto · 05/03/2018 16:14

I wouldn't think they were same questions for each student @teenmum but I'm not sure on that. Dgd has to pick her topic I think unless I'm wrong on that too. But by what she said about talking about something she knows about I assume the student picks? There are 5 topics I believe but tbh not sure how it works. So you are probably more confused now by my input!Smile

Teenmum60 · 05/03/2018 16:24

DD has a photo that she does a presentation on for 1 to 2 minutes (cant remember the exact time) for one topic. Then the teacher will choose two topics and ask questions...start a conversation going ...but not sure how they gauge the level of questions ...tutor stated that the more proficient DD was the harder the questions would get..I assume to show the level of vocab.

Sostenueto · 05/03/2018 17:54

Sounds about right teenmum

Sostenueto · 05/03/2018 18:01

Talking about Spanish dgd just said that there is a listening test tomorrow ( only got told today) an oral on Friday and reading and writing next Monday to decide if there will be any that will drop to foundation level. We got a letter before parent evening saying they would decide in march. Ridiculous because my dgd already has her timetable for GCSEs stating higher paper and at parent evening Spanish teacher said she was a level8-9 so she doesn't need to worry and what is she doing? Worrying!Confused
I think they are making them all do a test they apparently can't revise for, more to test lower ones in group but not separating them so its obvious.

Sostenueto · 05/03/2018 18:03

So its not obvious that should read.

Sostenueto · 05/03/2018 18:06

Apparently they have another teacher, not their own, do the orals. In the mocks it was an outside independent tester.

Teenmum60 · 05/03/2018 18:35

There is only one level for French at DD's school because it is still IGCSE A-G. I would advise your DGD to look at the tests as more practice ...which must be beneficial. DD was doing her first Oral practice today with French Assistant (who is French). Surely what they are doing does not make sense if the children have already been entered for exams in Feb?

drummersmum · 05/03/2018 18:38

Hopelessly behind. But I managed to see a gorgeous dress by teen.
WE here is set for this summer, he will work alongside a film composer. All this talk about the new 9 grade (which I agree with) makes me glad DS is only getting numbers in two of the subjects and letters in everything else. Is he the only one in this thread?

Teenmum60 · 05/03/2018 19:11

drummersmum my DD is the same although I think she has 4 subjects in numbers Eng x 2, Maths and Computer Science.

What amazing WE to work with a film composer!

drummersmum · 05/03/2018 19:17

Ah teen thanks. DS' number graded subjects are Latin and Maths.

By the way, I am totally out of the loop re his revision. You all seem very informed and involved, but as the weeks go by I have become more and more hands off. DS seems to be in control, homework hasn't stopped, he will revise in Easter, he has no post-its, charts, walls covered in words, nothing. He just tells me not to worry. And I obey Smile

BlueBelle123 · 05/03/2018 19:28

Drummersmum I don't think I was ever in the loop re revision! There is no way DS would let me get involved even if I wanted to, I think that's why I sometimes get a bit agitated as I know he has no revision timetable and if I show any interest its met with I know what i'm doing leave me alone (or words to that effect). So I just have to trust that he does know what he's doing.........I will just have to wait till August to find out Hmm

Sostenueto · 05/03/2018 20:09

Wow drummersmum! Fantastic! Your D's aStar

Sostenueto · 05/03/2018 20:13

Copious homework for dgd still and will continue to easter.

Oddsocks15 · 05/03/2018 20:15

Today DD has joined a break time revision group, I guess that is a positive thing Hmm !

mmzz · 05/03/2018 20:33

DS has just shown me the Physics specification - school told him to download it and go through it in detail. There are 15 topics, and they are nearing the end of the 14th one (another week perhaps). Then he has to do two more core practicals (2 out of 8 since the start of year 10).

There's no other way of looking at it; the teacher is too far behind to catch up sine the the aim is to finish by Easter.

Sostenueto · 05/03/2018 20:35

Of course it is oddsocks! think positive!Wine

Sostenueto · 05/03/2018 20:38

In same boat here mmzz with physics. He will be teaching right up to exams.Shock he has started revision class at lunchtimes and handing out practise papers. I am definitely not impressed at all! In fact, we couldn't see him parent evening as he only wanted to see those doing A level and ones that were struggling.Angry

Teenmum60 · 05/03/2018 21:04

mmzz That is a lot of topics - I think DD only has 7.

mmzz · 05/03/2018 21:09

That is strange teenmum as I thought the GCSEs were all much of a muchness.

mmzz · 05/03/2018 21:15

Sost in the specification (for edexcel) it says the practicals data has to be submitted by 15/4/18. That's about the time that the summer term starts, so the outstanding practicals will have to be done this month.

(I don't read these things for fun- I was scanning it because I was trying to assuré Ds that it would all be over soon, so I was trying to find a paragraph that said the practicals are option. Instead I found a statement that they are mandatory and I think it said they contribute to the final grade). I didn't know that until tonight.

BlueBelle123 · 05/03/2018 21:21

mmzz DS is doing edexcel I thought they had to do the practicals as they could be asked questions on them in the exam, so if you haven't done them you be at a disadvantage I don't think they contribute to the final grade in their own right IYSWIM

BlueBelle123 · 05/03/2018 21:27

Oh just read spec yes they do have to do all 8 practicals