GCSEs 2018 (12) Are we nearly there yet?!

[mmzz]

Dd is predicting angles of reflection & refraction (protractor) through an orange (AQA obsessed with food) in Physics next week.

She admitted she was a bit thrown by yesterday’s text. The comparison one was a graphic description of another blues singer death in a car crash.

I too will have a DS sitting GCSEs in 2021 so definitely up for that and the 6th form thread for our current batch of GCSE takers.

Foot has definitely gone off the peddle at the moment but has also allowed DD to rest and recuperate - it was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster of a week.

Will pick up the pace for the sciences. She is actually ok for the exams coming up as enjoys science. And these are a level choices. Can't believe we are nearing the end and slightly starting to worry that we don't have enough organised for the summer. DD is convinced she will be fine as has lots of plans to learn things etc. We are still waiting to hear about a couple of things so it will be a shame if they don't come through.

mmzz you're in a tricky situation with Mr Persistent because of DS2 but at least DS1 will soon escape his clutches. Absolutely bizarre behaviour, though, not just by the teacher but also the leadership team.

mmzz is your DS2 as talented at maths as DS1?

Is does make me wonder how they are treating others at the school if this is the way they are treating someone who clearly is going to do extremely well , it just doesn't make sense they should be concentrating their energies on those that most need it, I really can't work it out, glad DS is not at that school as I'm afraid i would be that parent

I need to go through biology with Ds2 this weekend (used to teach biology). Am away Monday afternoon - Wednesday late next week, so by the time I get back he’ll only have physics left.

He likes the sciences so should be okay this week, although wants to go to drama school so there’s an interesting choice of options for post 16.

In 2020 I'll have one sitting A-levels and two sitting GCSEs.

Devilish we like variety on this thread, it will be lovely to hear about other options which aren't A level

thethird I think you win 2020 top trumps!

Mr Bruff teaches at the school closest to our house. Neither of my school age kids goes there (although was second choice for Ds2). When we first looked at the school years ago the head was pleased because the videos were being watched by pupils in ‘other schools in the city, including the granmars’. 6 years later he seems to be a internet sensation

I think he probably will end up doing A levels BlueBelle. He’s currently at a grammar where the concept of not doing A levels is fairly alien He won’t stay there, as he wants to do drama in some form and they don’t offer drama as such (& tbh we haven’t been that impressed with the school).

He has an offer for Drama, Biology and Psychology A levels at nearby school with a fab drama dept where they do get people into drama school (hugely competitive - thousands of applicants for 24 places etc). Although he is thinking of switching psychology for chemistry.... which is an odd combination, but he is bizarrely good at chemistry.

He also has an offer for an extended BTech in creative theatre practice at the local college. He liked the course but is being (frankly) a middle class snob about the college. Can’t see him going there.

He has a conditional (audition dependent) offer for a performing arts course (UAL London extended diploma) at the next city 40 miles away - easily accessible by train. He has also applied to their performing arts elite academy (extra lessons for an ‘elite’group). I think he might go for that college over A levels. So he has the all day audition in a few weeks for the course & May have the academy audition a week later (college currently shortlisting).

He has had quite a lot of professional work in the performing arts already (has been in west end tours, films etc(, so he knows the score. Far more than me.

This time last year I thought he should do a diploma as he seemed to loathe any academic work with a passion (bright, but did bare minimum) & I thought he would find A levels hard going to put the work in. But he suddenly changed attitude in September and has worked steadily (first time in his life) & independently. I’ll be interested to see what his exam results are like as he’s never really revised for exams before Anyway, having seen him this year I’d be quite happy if he chose to do A levels. So am leaving it up to him. He knows the pros and cons on each option. I have just advised him to go with an option he will engage with so he can show what he is capable of.

If he chooses A levels I will encourage him to do an EPQ on something to do with the voice (he finds it fascinating).

All calm in the house as DD is having a very well deserved lie in this morning.

I am shocked at how that Maths Teacher is treating your clearly extremely able DS mmzz, he really should be focusing his efforts on those who need his interference!

Interesting about the very high grade boundaries for coursework elements, I hadn't actually considered that and wonder if the moderators look at whether there are huge disparencies between teacher assessed coursework and externally marked exams.

I am not sure which is worse, although the learning of the poems was an epic in itself.

Absolutely yes to the 2020 thread as we take on the next phase of the journey and quite possibly the 2019 Resit Thread

Ive realised that I've been talking about DS taking AQA history on here - as he's just reminded me, he's doing Edexcel history!! So ignore what I've written 😀

Had too much fizz last night with 9 girlfriends here until midnight. Easy day today, DS needs to do some science and we're having a family film night tonight.

In 2020 I will also have an A level and gcse taker. But DS2 will be doing PE and Construction GCSEs so I guess some of it will be coursework. He won't be doing any humanities so that will take the pressure off! They are new courses, the first exams for which will be sat in 2019 so we should have an idea about grade boundaries...

DD was doing edexcel history too and said the questions for the American West section were weirdly narrow. English was an ok but could have done better.

mmzz I wouldn't be told off by the HoY for opting out of an unnecessary revision session - I find it extraordinary on his part to go along with the classroom teacher and agree to do it. I wouldn't want DD going in early before any exam and would definitely opt out. I don't think they can actually insist, especially with next to no notice. Jog on!

I don't blame the SLT. I think the HoY just got half a story from Mr Persistent and took him at his word that there was a problem. You can see it from the HoY's point of view: one of the department heads says that a boy isn't turning up for revision classes because his mum says he needs to focus on revising for the other subjects.

The HoY doesn't know the boy at all, except as one if the faces at assemblies, and doesn't know the family at all. So, he takes the HoD at his word that there is a problem and calls the mother to persuade her to let the teacher do his job.

What the HoY doesn't know is that it's the boy himself who is refusing point blank to go. He knows that if he wastes 20+ hours doing that, then it will be 20+ hours of his free time he has to give up to do the revision that needs doing. He also doesn't realise, until he calls, that the mother feels that this is the last straw from Mr Persistent.
Actually, the two things that seemed to make the biggest impression on the HoY were when I pointed out that DS always gets 90%, and also when I told him that I have looked carefully to check there was nothing from the syllabus that DS can't do, or needs help applying to various problems, but if there ever is, then I would happily show him immediately. The HoY asked how I could do this and I replied that my degree is in pure maths. After that he seemed to want to get off the phone.

Missed most of yesterday afternoon /evening as my phone got wet and has now died, so I can only see mums net on the computer.

DS didn't like AQA Eng about the surfboards, especially question 2. Was happy with Edexcel history (Eliz and cold war). Really wish history was over, but has paper 3 on Tuesday Hitler which apparently has the most facts of all the topics he has done! So I imagine that means no science or maths revision this weekend! He also has to help me choose a new phone!

For those worried about have 1 DC doing GCSEs and another doing A levels in 2 years - that's what I have now, and in a way I think it keeps the stress down as you can't be too focused on any one exam!

Also to all who have other more difficult stuff going on with sick children, husbands and other family members. Helps us keep these exams in perspective.

Cherryburn I'm not sure about DS's maths ability. He was really good at primary school (level 7 on the old national curriculum scales by the middle of year 6). DS2 was definitely better than DS1 back then. But since he went to secondary, and all the monitoring changed, the reports aren't helpful any more. They just say DS is progressing "as expected" in all subjects really, but they won't tell me what's expected.
I suspect DS has slipped back a bit but I don't know how much.

Perhaps I've got a different take on it because I'd expect the HoY for Y11 to know the child not just grab the phone and certainly to have made himself familiar with attainment etc. So I'd be pissed off. But ours is a relatively small school (120 per cohort) and after having all eight DC at the school I'm in a fairly unusual position. Even so, a HoY should differentiate a bit between refusenik DC/ parents.

I think it can be the case that some Heads of Maths find parents with maths degrees a bit irksome :)

DS went in to school with a stack of text books to take back, that and the fact he's done his last typed/essay type exam make it seem close to the end. Really need to up the focus for the sciences though as the last couple of weeks have been History and English and there's a lot he doesn't know (or can't remember doing !).

He's taken some stick this week from peers and teachers for dropping out of band practises and performances and games etc. I wish they would understand a bit more that every child is different. He took the decision to pull out of most things not because he is revising every hour (he's not !) but he gets so tired. Yes his mates can cope with extra curricular and exams but he finds everything so much more effort and did not pass some of his mocks so did the right thing for him. I told him to explain that but he probably won't.

Mmzz I can only think Mr persistant is thrown by someone being better than him and doesn't know how to handle it.

Agree adrinkofwater. Having multiple exams happening at broadly the same time is really helpful. Much better than having one listening to Love Island at full volume in the next door room. In fact I do have a stray cat at home at the moment (did Finals last year, back from his travels, starting work in London in Oct) who is being incredibly considerate, despite generally being a live wire. Easier with older ones who've been through the system and know that lots of loud noise can be a pain - littler ones may not get it.

@everyone - count me in for the Yr 12-13 thread. I was thinking the other day I will miss the demise of this thread (but certainly won't miss the exams!!).

@GettinTrimmer - DD does Japanese jujitsu (its the origin of karate and Judo and the MA the Samurai did). Punches, kicks, throws, locks, defence from knife attacks etc and when they get to high belts they also do fighting with sticks (instead of swords). Her sensi is buying her a sword when she gets to black!!! TBH if I knew how full on it is (think cage fighting) I suspect wouldn't have let her do it. She's been doing it since she was 10 and now spends 7 hours a week training/teaching at the dojo (hoping to black belt as soon as she turns 18). Throughout all of this she has been training for brown. Can't recommend it enough since she has gone from being tiny disorganised, uncoordinated and weak to strong, disciplined, fit, confident and Co-ordinated....still tiny though (she trains with the adults and her training partner is male and over a foot taller) 😊. She's never been bullied and she's never likely to - a potential mugger would get one hell of a shock hahaha Your DS will either love it or hate it. Karate is mainly learning kick and punch patterns (the JJJ Sensi calls them "the dancers") Judo its throws and punches but you need to be big. Kick boxing is good but they have a few KB guys and they get battered. BJJ good but only if you are fighting on the floor. Taikwando more of a sport than fighting. Krav also brilliant if you like fighting. Navy does JJJ as combat training, Israeli army does Krav.
Now I will get off my MA hobby horse hahaha

Maybe, but I don't know why unless the maths degree parents are telling their child that they are doing it all wrong!

I can remember explaining one thing to DS in the last two years. It was vectors. He couldn't do the question on a past paper and asked for help. I explained it, he took about 3 minutes to get it, and then he told me that the teacher hadn't covered it yet. when he did get round to covering it later, it took a week).

Apart from that, I don't think I've ever stepped on this teacher's toes, and I'm not sure he knows about that time either.

There are 200 in the year. I suspect the HoY knows the big personalities, the truants, the fighters, but not all the quiet ones.
What disappointed me more is DS's form teacher for the last three years is also his physics teacher. I asked her at parents night about taking A level and she said she'd need to check with Mr Persistent whether his maths is up to it. I thought she should have had some idea, maybe had a look at the certificates or seen some if the monitoring reports?

@GettinTrimmer - sorry, Judo is throws grappling a and locks (wrote the wrong words down!)

Mmzz that all sounds bloody frustrating. Lots of kids do go under the radar but even at DD’s school, described as complacent on this thread, every teacher can check progress of your child on some kind of database they have. I have actually heard them doing it live during some difficult telephone conversations - klick, klick, “Let me see now..”

I don’t mind them not knowing and then finding out in the moment but not knowing and then having to go off and check is a bit rubbish isn’t it?

Bluebelle123 Thanks! I am pleased to say I've lost a stone. I used to have this nickname ages ago when I was on an mn thread called The Slinkies, and we all lost weight. Put it back on again though....I say never give up. Hope you enjoy your run. Unfortunately ds is unable to ride a bike; he can cycle on a stationary exercise bike but didn't manage to crack balancing at the same time. I think he could learn with time and patience. Great idea though.

that's amazing mmzz - surely the UKMT/Olympiad entries would single him out if nothing else.