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Secondary education

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

Original poster

GCSEs 2018 (13) Untwisting our knickers, lucky for some!

999 replies

Stickerrocks · 12/06/2018 16:17

Thread 12 Link to the thread with our potted histories. Now the end is in sight.

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7
TheThirdOfHerName · 16/06/2018 20:51

'14: The Aftermath'
Because not all of our DCs are going to prom.

androbbob · 16/06/2018 21:04

Evening all - I see you have nearly filled another thread!

Just about caught up and hoping the pace of this thread slows down a bit now the exams are nearly over for all!

Sounds like some serious life issues have been going on surrounding these exams, and I sincerely hope all are or will be in a better place soon Gin Flowers

I too watch Love Island - with my DD you know, as it gets her out of her room!!

DD seems a bit lost today - nothing going on, lots of sleep and not much activity. It must be weird having finished after that 5 week slog. A few little things this week - leavers assembly on Monday morning and she is coming to her brothers sports day on Thursday, and a concert on Tuesday night.

Tomorrow will be a sort out of paperwork and seeing what can be passed onto her cousin who starts in yr10 in September!

LooseAtTheSeams · 16/06/2018 21:15

nettleskeins there definitely is support and it can be easier to access in FE than in school - we screen a lot of students who never got any support. Contact me if you ever need advice on this because I can get the details from my college.

Original poster
Stickerrocks · 16/06/2018 21:29

Serious life issues? Having not told DD about my mum until things are a bit more concrete & DD's exams are over, MiL has been admitted to hospital this evening & there's no hiding this one from DD. She seems resigned to it ("I knew she would do this in the middle of my exams") whereas we've looked on the bright side that at least the latest crunch in a very long saga didn't come until DD only had Add Maths left.

Alexander I've heard good things about it from those who have been.

Episode 14 - Marvel at our proms, runs & dragons?

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Original poster
Stickerrocks · 16/06/2018 21:35

Thethird I think yours is one of the D&Ders?

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BackforGood · 16/06/2018 21:37

StickerRocks - for all my dc, we had a letter we had to send back and say they were staying on at school, so we needed child benefit still.

CatherineCawood · 16/06/2018 21:38

It's over and out from us for a few days. DD finished yesterday with physics, on her 16th birthday. We are off to New York at 6.30am tomorrow. Need you lot to keep me sane until 23 Aug!!! Speak soon.

LooseAtTheSeams · 16/06/2018 21:39

Stickerrocks I'm so sorry, I hope she recovers quickly but what a strain for you.Thanks I'm sure dd will be ok, though.
No prom here but DS would probably go with Freedom...Freedom!
Alexander not surprised your dd is excited!

CatherineCawood · 16/06/2018 21:39

BTW I got a letter too about DD's child benefit, maybe you need to chase if you didn't get one?

TheThirdOfHerName · 16/06/2018 21:44

Stickerrocks
Yes, DS2 plays D&D regularly in various groups.
Hope your MIL is able to get the care she needs.

AlexanderHamilton · 16/06/2018 22:04

I’m so sorry she’s taken a turn for the worse stickerocks. Please contact school and make them aware.

Dd had cinema tickets for the live showing of Jamie but she can’t go any more as I have to be with ds (he’s singing in a school concert that night) & dh will still not be allowed to drive. She will be staying in boarding that week and they are not allowed out that late.

So thank you Kidsweek that I am able to soften the blow (although bit of black humour for the first time ever I bought the cancellation insurance).

Catherine - how exciting!

GettinTrimmer · 16/06/2018 22:09

Sticker sorry to hear about your Mum and mil best wishes to you & your dd.

Ds revising for German inbetween gaming...he's in a good mood but 13 year old dd is grumpy and hormonal.

AlexanderHamilton · 16/06/2018 22:13

Looks like you can do it online

www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-benefit-child-continuing-in-approved-education-or-training-ch297

AlexanderHamilton · 16/06/2018 22:13

Dd is wandering around the house feeling lost. She feels like she should be revising something.

Original poster
Stickerrocks · 16/06/2018 22:21

Never trust an accountant with a form! All done online now, thank you very much.

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EllenJanethickerknickers · 16/06/2018 23:15

I did it online recently and they'll pass it on to tax credits too, if necessary.

Petalflowers · 17/06/2018 05:47

Dc2 has to wear a suit on his six form,induction day so we got it over half term. Before 5he shopping trip, he didn’t seem that bothered abbout it. I ipordered some shirts from Next online (clearance site) and he eagerly tried them on. My little boy is growing up.

Petalflowers · 17/06/2018 05:47

I ordered...

Original poster
Stickerrocks · 17/06/2018 06:34

DD spent last night wandering around the house feeling lost. She felt like she should have been revising something. And so she should have been!

Minimal motivation for add maths. With thanks to Alexander for her original post!.

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Original poster
Stickerrocks · 17/06/2018 06:38

I have feeling college-wear going to be a lot more expensive than school uniform, especially as they get a choice.

How many of you will still have a uniform, who like petal has to invest in suits & who can let their own style completely shine through?

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Cherryburn · 17/06/2018 07:02

DS has to wear ‘business dress’ in his school sixth form which means a suit and tie (although the trousers/jacket don’t have to be matching IYSWIM, they can be formal trousers plus formal jacket)

I think ‘business dress’ in sixth form is ridiculous. For a start, there are very few workplaces that require a tie to be worn at all times now. And I’m yet to meet a man who finds wearing a fully buttoned up shirt and tie comfortable. The DC just end up looking like estate agents, and I fail to see how wearing uncomfortable clothes has any link to improving concentration/learning.

mmzz · 17/06/2018 07:03

If DS1 goes to the selective sixth form, then he'll be in jeans, t-shirt, hoodie and trainers every day.
If he stays at the current school, then he'll be in a (please no, bright blue) suit, shirt, tie and shiny shoes.

Boys have it easier, don't they? They only have to buy a couple of suits, 5 shirts and a few ties.

Oratory1 · 17/06/2018 07:12

DS is probably unusual in that they wear same uniform all the way through. No changes in sixth form.

lljkk · 17/06/2018 07:19

b/c DD chose posh private school VI form we are looking at spending £300 or so on uniform+games kit (as much 2nd hand as possible, but eg., £45 for a single skirt is new price). This will come out of DD's nominal pocket money or her earnings (that is part of the agreement for her going to posh school). Still, Shock at the costs. We have a visit to uniform shop later this week to check on sizings & maybe something 2nd hand will be there.

Sostenueto · 17/06/2018 07:20

Checking in after numerous tests being poked and prodded in places that haven't seen daylight for years! First treatment over and eta home 10 am. Reports from dd and dgd fantastic time being had! They will be back this evening with lots to tell me!
Haven't had time to catch up but to all with I'll health or family with I'll health my thoughts and prayers to you all.Flowers
Hope all celebrations haven't left you all with heavy heads this morningGrin