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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:
Thread gallery
14
MaisyPops · 01/03/2018 12:04

DoNotBringLulu
When they say normal uniform then they will just mean it's not a non uniform day.
We didn't have to tell our studnets normal uniform. They just did it and wore sensible shoes.

We have a big site with lots of buildings so it's not worth having a 'change to school shoes when you get here' approach. Plus all staff were in boots and walking boots too.

Teenmum60 · 01/03/2018 12:16

DoNotBringLulu It does help to see the mock papers - DD assessed all her own mock papers with the marks she achieved and the marks she could have achieved and then was asked to give a reason why marks were lost (teacher reviewed). I just hope DD uses the analysis for revision purposes Hmm.

Sostenueto · 01/03/2018 14:02

Some revision done this morning maths and geography. Romeo and Juliet this afternoon.

LooseAtTheSeams · 01/03/2018 17:18

School closed tomorrow and Saturday revision also cancelled. Someone is going to be pleased...!

drummersmum · 01/03/2018 17:20

DS went to school today with his usual thin sole black shoes Sad The school did not send a "flexible" uniform email. Just that they were open. He seems to have survived and we're off to brave the blizzard to walk to drums lesson.

Those in the North, keep warm and hoping this passes quick. sostenuto I have a thing for power cuts. I love them in a strange way because they send me back to Victorian times and they can be so romantic Grin

drummersmum · 01/03/2018 17:21

loose school closed tomorrow? In SW London? Shock

mmzz · 01/03/2018 17:23

DS2 went off today with jumper, blazer, coat, hat and gloves.
Returned home, after 60 minute walk, wearing the blazer (rest in his bag).
Me: shivering at home all day

LooseAtTheSeams · 01/03/2018 18:06

drummers yes, schools were open all week but quite a few near us are closing tomorrow - think the forecast may be part of it as they’re worried not enough teachers will be able to get in. Saturday music Centre is closed, too!
(However, I’ve got back from work in North Kensington this evening without much bother, just cold!)

drummersmum · 01/03/2018 18:17

loose here jd is definitely open on Saturday. He has a concert afterwards. I just hope the church is warm... Drums teacher had a good laugh when he saw me dressed for an Arctic expedition.

On another note, DS has just confirmed to me that half his subjects are done and the lessons are now pure revision. Very glad to hear that!

HidingFromTheWorld · 01/03/2018 18:21

Hope you’re okay today Sostenueto

As Sostenueto said, schools are shut again here in Norfolk. All roads from our village remain impassable due to snow drifts. Local Co-op had a few bits in, so we stocked up with a few ready meals, etc.

DD now v grumpy. Was happy with one snow day, but had revision sessions planned at school, plus deadlines to work to.

Fortunately, teachers have uploaded the planned lesson work onto Go4Schools, with clear instructions as to what to prioritise, which is good.

The snow was a novelty on Tuesday, but we’re all fed up now. Luckily, our local chemist opened for a few hours, so DH managed to walk there to collect our repeat prescriptions. Our GP surgery is also within walking distance, should the need arise.

The hospital is 14 miles away and unreachable, so it’s lucky we’re stocked up with emergency medication. DH has been told to be careful when doing the quick round the block with our miniature schnauzer who refuses to toilet in the garden!

Hope everyone is okay.

Sostenueto · 01/03/2018 19:10

Both next doors and my boiler packed in this morning and we only had to wait 3 hours which was fab! Outside drainage pipes had frozen solid on both our boilers so pipe cut off and drainage reinstated and heating back on thank goodness!

TheDonald · 01/03/2018 19:32

DD's school has been shut since Wednesday and is shut again tomorrow. Some evidence of revision going on but not much.

We've been looking tonight at a revision plan to take her up to the end of Easter. It's pretty daunting how much there is to do. Especially with mocks thrown in again the week after next.

I think she is starting to realise that now is the time that she needs to do it.

Stay safe and warm everyone. Roll on spring!

Original poster
Stickerrocks · 01/03/2018 20:23

Don't Delighted to see it was cancelled & you can get a refund. We shut up shop at 3 as the roads around the theatre were pretty much impassable and buses were about to stop running. It took 2 hours to drive a few miles. DD has been revising her Spanish and baking cookies.

OP posts:
AlexanderHamilton · 01/03/2018 20:37

Just had text from school, closed again tomorrow due to surrounding roads.

Sostenueto · 01/03/2018 20:43

On radio said national gas grid now asked businesses to cut down on gas use as they are running out if gas. Dgd in a haughty tone said ' we have not had a surplus of gas in this country for a long time.' .....nice to know she's well informed because I didn't know that!

DoNotBringLulu · 01/03/2018 21:54

Thanks Sticker it's a relief, we are trying to rebook for next Thursday if possible. Good to know there's a refund if possible as we paid a lot for ticket. Very luckily my ds and dd both got lifts home. We live at the bottom of a 'hollow' and unable to get to the end of my road.

Sostenu what a relief your heating is back on. I have no idea about gas surplus either...

School is closed tomorrow. It's stopped snowing now, but more forecast here for tomorrow and a freeze is on its way. That caused trouble in 2010 when my Dad slipped up and broke his ankle good decision to close ice is worse than anything.

mmzz · 02/03/2018 08:36

I think I'm living in a parallel universe. Most of the local schools have closed, there's about 1 inch of snow on the ground (grass is poking through). It's due to snow this morning, but only a little. One of the other mums texted us all this morning to say that she's keeping her DC at home as"there is a risk to life" (we've got a yellow warning) and she advises the rest of us to do the same. Others were agreeing with her.

If I'd missed school every time the weather was cold and wet, I'd be illiterate.

I can understand the teachers not being able to get in if they live far away, and any child who comes in from the countryside, but some of these comments about the scandal of the school expecting their DC to attend were being made by people who would walk further if out for a Sunday stroll.

AlexanderHamilton · 02/03/2018 08:40

Dd & dh have ventured out again. Their journey home was fine except for the last mile. Such a big difference between conditions where we live and just over the county border.

RosieLig · 02/03/2018 08:44

How is everyone getting their kids to work when off school? I really have such a struggle with my DS. He’ll do any homework set but feels resentful of doing any more than the minimum. I’ve had a few chats with him trying to get him to motivate himself but it’s such a slog.

Last night I got him to write down exactly what he was planning to do today and when (including breaks for sledging/Netflix!) but I know I’ll have to poke and prod him to do it. Drives me mad as I’ve got a very high work ethic myself! Angry

I’ve tried leaving him to it but he will literally sit in his phone/Netflix all day. He passed his prelims (except English) but his marks were low. So I see this as a great time to get a bit ahead -obviously he doesn’t have quite the same view!!

mmzz · 02/03/2018 09:05

@RosieLig it's March already and there's only 10/11 weeks left. If he is choosing not to out his back into studying now, then when does he think he ought to get on with it?
You could ask him what grade he's targeting per subject and match that to how much work he plans to do eg no work = a U, one week in advance will give a few 1s. 2 weeks in advance = 1s and 2s

Teenmum60 · 02/03/2018 09:24

DD's school is open with the message : We will be open and operating as normal today but please take great care on icy roads and only make the journey if it is safe to do so.
The largest bus company however will not be running so it will be a school with about 50% of its pupils. What I found annoying last December was the school opened one of only a handful (no buses running), DD went in but because 50% of the class were not there they didnt do a normal lesson ...so hardly worth DD being there - although I suppose now at least they could run a revision lesson if allot of the children are missing.

TheSecondOfHerName · 02/03/2018 09:39

DS2 has received a conditional offer from his third choice of sixth form (44 points in his best nine subjects and 5 in English and Maths).

Hopefully won't be needed but it's good to have a back-up plan.

Teenmum60 · 02/03/2018 11:41

Decided to be a bit of a rebel today and have just applied to a sixth form on DD's behalf (applications have closed but school stated they would consider late application if I got paperwork across today).
Its a school I have been aware of but hadnt really considered because out of county, but looked at maps and trains and its just a 15 train journey and 10 minute walk. Its a girls school but a consortium with a boys school and a Co-Ed. DD does not have back up because her dad is adamant she stays on at current school (DD gets no choice)but I do feel she does need a back up ...so will cross fingers.
Present school have asked us to put in writing if we do not want to stay on by the end of Easter in terms of school fee's (one terms notice). I'm surprised that we have to do this and would have thought school contract would terminate at the end of Yr11 and a new contract would be in force for 6th form. Just wondering whether its worth putting in notice anyway - the school will not be oversubscribed for 6th form so I am sure places would be available if we chose to make a decision in July or even after exam results - I know a few girls have left and then come back within first term of 6th form.

Sostenueto · 02/03/2018 11:47

Well managed to get dgd back to mum whose heating now fixed and washing machine after arriving home to a flood from work. Will miss dgd but not the constant nagging to do revision! I began to feel like an evil witch in the end!
Pup is evil last few days, cannot get to take her for a walk and she is so frustrated. Scooter won't go through ice and I cannot walk in these conditions. ( sigh)
Hope all are well and warmFlowers
Congrats the secondifhername on offerStar

Sostenueto · 02/03/2018 11:49

Tricky one teen, glad I don't have to make decision. This will helpGinWine