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Secondary education

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

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
Sostenueto · 08/03/2018 19:24

Oddsocks have you tried Mr Bruff videos and Mr Salle's? Can you get more help for dd? In the meanwhile have a Wine and I'm sure things will pan out in the end.Flowers

Sostenueto · 08/03/2018 19:27

Couldn't get dgd to go to open evening. Tbh I didn't have the energy to argue with her today. Pup is fast asleep in a pair of frilly pink doggie diapers! It means I might get some sleep tonight!

Teenmum60 · 08/03/2018 19:34

Oddsocks did your DD get any support for English following earlier mock? Grade 1 seems really odd and I would guess that she is not answering the questions in the depth/style that the exam requires. Can you get a copy of the exam papers just to see what the problem is?

Stickerrocks Sometimes it doesn't matter what we say it will be wrong and get twisted.

The school where DD has her interview next week has asked for DD's predicted grades in writing. I cant see that DD's present school have actually put predicted grades in writing....reports tend to say exam result and currently working at .....level in class. When we attended parents evening the teacher's indicated verbal predictions (comparing last years cohorts mocks with final exam results to this year's cohorts mocks). Should I ask Dd's school for this information in writing?

I am not sure what to do about French Oral...I spoke to tutor today and she stated that it would be better if DD took her Oral exam earlier in the day rather than the assigned time so that DD doesn't get nervous or put off from any feedback from other girls who take their Oral earlier. I dare say that all the girls would prefer this - the teacher has stated that girls can change places but I can't see any of the girls wanting to wait until just before lunch for their Oral (which is DD's allocated time), the girls feel that the teacher has a tendency to get grumpier the more orals she does. I feel that I have a case to bring DD's Oral forward given that before Christmas we had a meeting because of DD's lack of confidence when a request was made to drop French at that time...I am wondering whether to make the request with a copy into the DHT who was also in that meeting?

Sostenueto · 08/03/2018 19:45

No harm in trying via DHT being as they are aware of your dds needs teenmum

Oddsocks15 · 08/03/2018 20:04

Yes teen DD has been having after school support since the mocks before Christmas. She had extra support today following her result and went through the paper with the teacher. Can’t get anything more out of her and I’m reluctant to push it and make it worse. Confused

sos yes bought Mr Salles following recommendation from mmzz. Mentioned Mr Bruff to her numerous times but not sure whether she watches his videos. She shuts herself away in her room only emerging occasionally for food

Teenmum60 · 08/03/2018 20:22

Oddsocks15 So difficult...Is she still wishing to go to SS school for the sixth form?

androbbob · 08/03/2018 20:27

A bit quieter here today so all caught up.

Sending FlowersCakeWineGin and Brew to @stickerrocks covering all emotions from these pesky yr 11 DC - testing us for certain.

DD had day off today because of some snow we had early morning that caused havoc - 5 hours later and it had all but melted she should have had mocks again today so spent some time revising apparently while I was at work.

She chose her A levels in October and then had to apply. Them had interviews last week, thankfully accepted and letter due soon to confirm. No mention of specific grades needed but is staying at school so I guess is well known to them!

9 weeks to first exam here - remember someone post 20 weeks to go.will be in a flash 🙈

Sostenueto · 08/03/2018 20:28

Oddsocks feel for you, they can be so.........at their age. Flowers

Sostenueto · 08/03/2018 20:30

Ist may it starts for dgd. Apparently dd told me something weird on wall of dgds bedroom. Some sort of chart, not a timetable. Says she can't make head nor tail of it. Hope dgd not spending too much time doing pretty charts.Hmm

TheSecondOfHerName · 08/03/2018 20:33

I ordered DS2's leavers' hoody this week, which is making it all seem a bit real. I didn't think he'd want one, but he's quite keen on getting one.

He hopes to stay on for sixth form, but there's quite a high turnover of students between Y11 and Y12 (at least 40% leave) so they do the hoody at the end of Y11.

AlexanderHamilton · 08/03/2018 20:37

Oh gosh there is huge drama over the hoodies at dd’s School as the Head has said they can’t have the colour that was voted for & loads of them including Dd have had their nicknames vetoed.

TheSecondOfHerName · 08/03/2018 20:42

DS2's school is using Mapac for the hoodies. Parents order & pay individually through the company website. There's a choice of about twenty colours and you can choose non-personalised or personalised (about £3 more).

Oddsocks15 · 08/03/2018 20:43

teen we’ve accepted a place at SS 6th form (obviously she needs to massively improve her English result), but the SS isn’t offering her the choice of A levels she wants to do. So the SS 6th form has now become reserve rather than top preference. Huge sigh of relief from me.

DD hasn’t chosen her hoody yet!

TheDonald · 08/03/2018 20:44

Wow this thread is moving fast! Imagine what it's going to be like by May!

A bit of progress here. There was a revision skills day on Monday for y11 followed by a session for parents in the evening. Mainly obvious stuff e.g. remove Xbox from bedroom / encourage them to sleep etc. They had an outside company come in and there were some learning theories discussed.

It does seem to have helped though. I think it's given her a bit of confidence that she's doing the right things.

I love the revision timetable mmzz. Ours is a work in progress so I might have to use yours for inspiration!

AlexanderHamilton · 08/03/2018 20:51

The prefects organise them at dd’s School. They do a vote as to style & colour. They all have the same. But baby pink is not allowed now apparently. And the head has insisted on approving (or not) all the nicknames.

Teenmum60 · 08/03/2018 20:58

Sostenueto We have charts all around our dining room (still a few to go up) with all the exam specifications- all the topics in order on the chart and placed in nice neat lines (OCD). DD is a visual learner so it works for her.

DD already counting down the number of Maths lessons left before she can give up Maths for good (15 last count). It's such a shame because she is very able - just doesn't enjoy the subject.

Original poster
Stickerrocks · 08/03/2018 21:23

Hoodies & prom caused the tension today. HofY had ignored the colours selected by DD & the head boy, then to add insult to injury, the popcorn machine & table decoratopions selected by them were cancelled by the Head as she said they were too young to be trusted with them. Apparently they can join the army & die for their country, but you can't be trusted with party poppers, bubbles & popcorn. I can see both sides.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stickerrocks · 08/03/2018 21:24

Baby pink was in the final list chosen by HofY, but not black.

OP posts:
Oddsocks15 · 08/03/2018 21:31

stickerrocks at 16 you can get married or register a civil partnership with consent. Drive a moped or invalid carriage. You can consent to sexual activity with others aged 16 and over. Drink wine/beer with a meal if accompanied by someone over 18.

BUT no to party poppers, bubbles and popcorn Grin Grin

Original poster
Stickerrocks · 08/03/2018 21:53

The middle aged mother in me agrees that there will be popcorn fights, tears & tears (both words) as bubble bottles get tipped down expensive frocks & party poppers will be set off in people's faces, BUT just let them get it out of their system! Then again, I would hate to have to clear up the hotel afterwards.

OP posts:
EllenJanethickerknickers · 08/03/2018 22:02

DS3 has just got a letter inviting him to an interview at one of the sixth forms he applied to. I don't think it's supposed to be part of the selection process, just making sure they're choosing sensible subjects in line with any future university or career plans. I'm hoping he gets an offer from this sixth form as it has a decent reputation for academic subjects. His own school sixth form is less academic but familiar and inclusive so either would be fine in reality but it would be nice to have a choice. No offers until May, though!

No leavers hoodies mentioned at his school. TBH he didn't wear his primary school one more than about twice. Prom is after the last exams, so a proper chance to have a bit of stress free fun.

BlueBelle123 · 08/03/2018 22:15

DS informed me today that he's chosen his meal choice for Prom, I was Oh so your going then (first I'd heard of it) his response was well doesn't everybody go (I think he thinks it's compulsory like a school tripGrin) so I pointed out that not everyone goes and have you mentioned it to your friends and he was no.........why not!!!!!!! are all boys like this or is it just mine!!!!?
The tickets are quite expensive so I don't want to get one if he hasn't even discussed it with his friends, Oh and he dropped in can you take me in the car!!!

Teenmum60 · 08/03/2018 22:38

Stickerrocks Unfortunately it's probably a lot to do with H & S and the school protecting themselves but its such a shame. DD's school is more concerned with stopping any alcohol getting into the party!

I have already had a request from DD to pick her up from the after party at around 4 am (she didn't think that dad would be happy at her staying out so late).

MaisyPops · 08/03/2018 22:50

Unfortunately it's probably a lot to do with H & S and the school protecting themselves but its such a shame.
And sadly with good reason.
I went to our Year 11 prom last year and it was amazing. The staff were blown away by our students who were hilarious but very courteous. They said it was such a good night. Kids and staff had a great time and the staff and the venue were treated with respect.

It turns out the venue has actually got some local schools on a blacklist for the next few years because of pupil behaviour and damage/the state the venue was left in.

Our students have never requested party poppers, but I'm fairly sure we wouldn't allow them.

mmzz · 09/03/2018 09:26

We had a parent and child how to revise session too. Wot I took away from it (in order of how much it mattered to me)

  1. The dads were there and there's a lot of bald and grey heads. Their wives seemed to mostly have that blond grey highlights colour which makes them look young until they sit next to their husbands and then you realise that we've all aged massively since the first day of primary.
  2. The school had some year 12s helping on the night. That message you get where an older child shows you round the school and you think I want my DC to be just like you when they are older is still as effective as ever.
  3. Revising is an uphill battle until it becomes a habit, then it's much easier.
  4. The breaks are just as important as the revising.
  5. keeping them fed, watered and rested is the parent's chief responsibility, as well as giving them somewhere to revise 6)everyone gets stressed. Those who get most stressed are the ones who realise they are out of time to be properly prepared
  6. when revising, work on your weaknesses, rather than practice your strengths.
  7. pick a revision course / guide (cgp high commended) and stick with it
  8. actively revise - write notes, or highlight or make flash cards but don't just passively read
  9. get your parents to test you
  10. make use of what the school has to offer - the school has lots of relevant experience
  11. make a timetable and stick to it
  12. put things you need to remember all round the house
  13. you need to understand the material, memorise what needs memorised and know the exam structure and the technique for answering each type of question. Don't do 1 of these and ignore the other 2
  14. use the Easter holidays for whole days if revision
  15. don't get distracted by social media
  16. that's it! 5 years on and that's the last time the parents and children will be called into the school hall.