Are we ready for a GCSE’s 2019 thread?

[KittyMcKitty]

If so I’m in.

DS (my pfb) will be going into year 11. Mocks after half term. Crossing my fingers for him - needs average point score of 6.5 (across all 10 subjects) to stay for 6th Form.

Anyone else?

DS had a good first day and, despite other students moving sets, he hasn't been moved down in any subjects which is brilliant. Was so thrilled for him and I was hoping this year would be different and he would be well enough to go to school. Then, this morning, has been quite ill, so went in late, he said he felt he couldn't take day two off. It's so difficult to ascertain whether it's his condition or nerves about tests at school today (seems very soon for tests already!), really hoping it's just nerves.

We looked at his poetry last night. I think he feels overwhelmed by the amount he is required to know and "that's just one part of one subject". Hoping to keep stress levels in check.

Ds has been moved to second set in English but moved up a team in football, so as far as he's concerned it's all evens

Confuzzlediddled glad to hear your FIL's op went smoothly

Mine are already complaining about tiredness! They're used to having an afternoon nap, which they've been doing during the summer holiday... is it because they're actually Giant Toddlers after all?! They certainly behave as though they are at times

First day back yesterday, basically assemblies, whole school and year, and lots of admin, id cards, new lockers etc etc. PE in the afternoon. Dreading today, least favourite teacher, who we suspect dislikes DD, gave class a book to read over summer, DD missed her last lesson, so didn't get the message. Thinks she will be roasted today. Hope she doesn't come back too upset, we are in that difficult position of wanting to complain, but DD not wanting us to interfere or make her life worse..... but this teacher is a nightmare, she was even rude to me at parents evening..... and gave DD her worse mark out of all her teachers, even though she was way above average for her exam, citing DD's shyness and lack of action in class. My DD is really quiet and shy, and this teacher is a bolshy, pushy, arrogant b***. Sorry, rant over.

Hello all. Joining in with a DS in Year 11 - first day at school today, no timetable in advance so he had no idea what subjects he has today. Needless to say, I am not very happy with the school about that. DS had some homework over the summer but not much and spent most of his time on Fortnite. School has not sent any information to us parents regarding the GCSEs and what will be happening this year. Very daunting for me as I don't know how to help him. I will start researching the websites of the exam boards tomorrow. DS is bright but lazy. School predictions for him are high and I hope he manages to achieve them.

@HPFA and @KittyMcKitty - my DD also rows and is year 11, wonder if they know each other?! I know rowers who have just done GCSEs at our club carried on with the training but missed the events just before and during exams - it's def a good break for them!
I am dreading this year! My DD seems to just think it will all happen ok but she needs to work so hard - I find it so frustrating when there's so much time for the iPad and homework is done v quickly. Though I know they do a lot at school and are assessed so often...🤞🏻

bestbefore Maybe, it's a small world, the world of rowing!!

The answers on this thread have been reassuring, I was only concerned because her rowing club seemed a bit blasé about it, taking a "Our athletes always do well" attitude. Well, yes, but since a high percentage are at highly selective private schools that's not really surprising!
DD could do with spending more time on homework but I don't kid myself that's what she'd be doing if she stopped rowing - she'd just be spending more time on her phone. At least she's keeping fit and making friends.
But clearly best thing is to see how it goes. I suppose taking a "you can do as much rowing as you want provided teachers are happy with your work and I can see you revising" might give an incentive to get on with things.

First day went well.
Because DD had a long period of illness and missed a lot of school, she was allowed to drop French. So when everyone else is in language lessons she goes to learning support.
They emailed me yesterday to say that DD had been in and she had a list of work that she felt she needed support with. Really proud of her for taking the initiative and asking for help.

I was worried that the school may start piling on the pressure on DD1, but they seemed to have started on DD2 instead! DD2 is now in year 9 and was told in two lessons that they were expected to perform well.

Nettles DD hasn't been composing but has been back at the piano and violin after a bit of prompting. She got a reading list but we are not sure which of these books are compulsory. One set costs£150 so I don't really want to buy that if it is only a suggestion. DD is going to look on the music notice board to see if any first years are selling their books. She never stops singing though!

DS had his first day back at school today. Seemed to have gone well and he has gone in with a positive attitude. He has a new form tutor who I'm hoping is going to be good as his form tutor last year was brilliant. My son seems to like the new one so far anyway.
He used his own initiative and picked up a sheet with some maths sums on to work on at home (the school rarely give out homework) so I'm pleased as that's not something he would normally do.

I'm quite worried as the school have changed the timings of the day, the lessons will now be 50mins instead of an hr and they used to finish at 3:45, now they will be done by 2:50 everyday!
I really don't see how they are going to fit in everything! Aswell as his GCSE's he is doing a vocational media course. The school was originally supposed to be a 9-5 day and its changed so much since he started.

We have a yr11 expectations evening on Monday so I will be asking about these new timings, and why he gets no homework - though he'll hate me for it

Sorry I wrote on the wrong thread!!

With regard to tiring my older DD managed 4 training/rowing sessions a week right up til the May. She had a few weeks off during the exam period and then competed all Summer. She found it a good way to relax/get her head straight.

Hi. I’m in. Ds started Y11 yesterday and seems happy enough so far. He only had some maths to do over the holidays (which I was pleased about cos he needed a break and with our family holiday, a weeks residential rugby camp and a week away with a friend, he didn’t have much time left).

He ‘should’ do well in his GCSEs but will need to put the work in. He’s a sensible kid but rugby and his band can be a bit too consuming at times. He is seeming to be keen to get homework done but not sure if revision has been factored in yet.

His plans are to go to either the nearest grammar for a levels (they only take 50 external students though) cos the rugby is excellent. If that’s not a goer, one of the local colleges has an excellent reputation (and a good rugby team) so we will look there too. Mind you, he needs to get good grades for both of them.

I’m here for the support and suggestions of how to help when the going gets tough so, here’s a small for us all and let’s get through this together.

DD back yesterday
She loathes her current school with a vengeance - selective all girls - and doing entrance exams for sixth forms in November
Had a couple of hours (!) sorting out books and notes on Tuesday and she ended up in tears as she only really got organised half way through year 10 and I was shocked at the state of what she's meant to learn for GCSE's
She's also going on about not living up to her sister (11 a*'s) and it's v hard work trying to reassure her
She's worked well last night and tonight but will have evening off tomorrow with friends
It's going to be a long year....

marmite

Is bekabeech here yet?

Yes chocolate!!

Anyone else's D.C. doing computer science. DD has been told today she has to do a 20 hour project which doesn't count towards anything and might even not get marked. Seems a bit strange?

marmite seriously??!! I try not to be "that" Mum - but I'd be contacting the school about that!

The Computer Science thing is because it was leaked online but it is core to the study so Ofqual say it has to be done but not part of the grade.

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2017/11/27/coursework-computer-science-gcse-set-dropped-amid-fears-widespread/

this explains it better than I did

Thank you for that. Makes interesting reading. When DD chose to do Computer Science there was still coursework and as she is not great at exams we thought it would be helpful to have at least some work she could do beforehand.

My DD has just started Y1as well. She is targeted with pretty high grades in most of her subjects. However I'm worried that the stress may get to her & she may be too strung out by the time the exams come round.

It sounds like the new GCSE world is a stressful one for lots of our dc😣 It's going to be a long hard year!
First day back today was generally ok. Very sore back from the weight of her rucksack and lots of homework. Tomorrow they are doing their GCSE speaking and listening presentations... we have had lots of tears, and with very little guidance they're all winging it!
Dd's been moved into the top science set, so is under a bit of pressure to catch up all that she's behind on. I can't see any revision being possible with all the homework

Ds school have downgraded the PE gcse to a btech. He's really pissed off. Everything changes all the time with no notice. They're behind in science, history and English. They've got to recap last year, learn the new stuff and mocks start soon. It all seems very hurried and no thought out!