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Secondary education

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

Are we ready for a GCSE’s 2019 thread?

997 replies

KittyMcKitty · 28/08/2018 22:59

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?

OP posts:
raspberryrippleicecream · 09/10/2018 16:39

DS2 has 2 weeks of mocks in December, followed by a week's work experience. Then the results day in January. This is new to me since my older two and I can't say I'm very keen. Then more mocks in March.

He has just signed up for NCS next July, mu older two weren't interested, nice to see him doing his own thing!

Soursprout · 09/10/2018 22:21

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Itis6oclocksomewhere · 10/10/2018 11:35

Just got DDs interim report this morning. It's not awful, but a handful of comments about her being distracted and work slipping recently.
Need to work out how to approach it and what to say to her later. Hmmm.

Soursprout · 10/10/2018 12:04

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OlderThanAverageforMN · 10/10/2018 12:12

DD was absolutely, definitely, surely, decided on her A Level choices. We went to the 6th Form Evening at her school, and she has changed her mind. She now wants to do Class Civ instead of Drama. Drama is her life, and Class Civ will be partly with a teacher who is consistently horrible to her. I understand her decision in that the Drama course is heavily weighted towards Production/Direction and looks at a lot of very weird play-writes, it is also very similar to the GCSE, so is a bit repeatative, which has put her off. The Class Civ course will be focusing on Epics, Culture and Beliefs, which is really interesting. I just worry so much that this teacher will ruin it for her. The only plus is that they have two teachers per subject at A Level. I have suggested she takes the bull by the horns, and requests a meeting with both teachers.

So now her choices are: Eng Lit, History, Class Civ, Biology.

Itis6oclocksomewhere · 10/10/2018 12:46

Thanks Soursprout.

She won't be worried about the comments. Well, I say that but I do wonder if underneath the bravado she actually does care. I think the negative comment from Maths may have an impact as she really respects this teacher and he has done a lot for her class as a whole. I think you're right about defensiveness with regards to the boyfriend.

Really interesting what you are saying about parents evening and nitpicking. Parents evening is on Halloween so I wonder if they're going use this interim report as a bit of a kick up the arse.

I like the puzzle approach and will say to DH that we look at it like that with DD. He's a bit more of the 'lay down the law' approach and I'm not sure that's needed at this stage.

Thank you again and I might be back later if it all goes to pot!

myrtleWilson · 10/10/2018 15:32

long time no post - apologies.
We don't seem to be having the avalanche of homework I was expecting but school are putting on revision sessions (voluntary drop ins) so perhaps they're trying to manage within the school day.

We've had an external tutor for a few weeks (DD had a massive loss of confidence in one of her topics at end of year 10) OMG the tutor is a joy! DD always seems happy and focused after her sessions, am half toying with the idea of the tutor FT'ing DD every morning or evening with a little pep talk about life in general Grin

We have mocks in January so a little while to go yet. Interestingly DD has increasingly moved in her head from seeing GCSEs as a BIG THING and more to a hurdle she needs to jump over to do the stuff she wants to do at A- level. I think she'll be a better A level student than GCSE. I think the trick will be to keep the positive mindset that puts GCSEs in context but not get over invested in next decisions....

that said I'd not considered any other six form options for her (there is a six form at her school) on the grounds that she's not really expressed much of an interest in doing an Alevel that isn't on offer at the school, she likes the teachers who will be doing her preferred A levels and the benefit of them knowing her... but I did have a minor panic the other day and thought - eek am I missing a trick here?!

fabtasticmrpox · 11/10/2018 08:59

Can I join Smile
Dd 1 is in year 11. Revising most nights - her mocks are in November and again Jan or Feb.
She has also completely changed her mind about which A levels since an Oxbridge talk. Was advised to keep them broad so is choosing French, English Language and Music .

There is no 6th form at her current school so we have a list to consider in November . She has such a lovely group of friends I'm not sure how she'll feel when they go their separate ways.

I did start a thread about choosing 6 form - she is bright but to do well needs to be well taught. This is putting me off all the local colleges. ...

Ultimately though I will let her choose might have to pay for tutoring though !

Does anyone's Dc know what they want to do post 6 form ? Mine hasn't a clue but would like a 'fun' career !

Soursprout · 11/10/2018 14:10

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Bimkom · 12/10/2018 09:45

Are all of the DCs having two sets of mocks going off timetable for one or both of the mock periods? We are definitely only having one, according to DS, but he says they are going off timetable from 5th December until 21st December1!????!. He says there will be revision sessions when not writing mocks, but not normal timetable. Anybody else doing it like this?

Soursprout · 12/10/2018 09:55

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Bimkom · 12/10/2018 10:00

DS isn't being huge amount of homework, although by no means nothing either, but is revising like mad. Very down last night, saying - well yes I got an 8 on the physics test, but I revised so much for it to get that - and it was only on half a chapter!! How am I going to put in that much revision for every subject, it's not possible, and i keep getting confused with all the stuff I have to memorise.
The sixth form he really wants to go to wants the equivalent of six A (ie A or 8s). It is going to be a really tall order for him. And they have their entrance exam in a couple of weeks. He had to nominate three subjects to sit the exam in, and four he wanted to study at A Level, and has nominated Maths, Chemistry and Biology, and put down Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Physics as his subjects for A Levels. The first two are definite, the last two he is not sure about. He says he enjoys the Biology more, but if he wants to do architecture, he needs the Physics. Geography is an outside possibility. If he wants to do medicine, he would prefer to do the biology, even though you don't definitely need it for many medical schools. If he wants to be a barrister, then it doesn't matter what he studies at A levels and university, he can do a conversion course. As you can see, he is somewhat undecided about what he wants to do, within a certain range. But there is no question that essay based subjects are not on the agenda!
We are looking around at other sixth forms beside the one wanting the dreaded six 8s! There may be some other acceptable options, I hope so, I would hate him to be pinning all his hopes on this one, which may well be out of reach. So far though, only this one sixth form has had their open day, and had their application date close, so that is all we have applied for so far. Next open day (probably second choice, we think) is next week. A lot of people leave his current school after GCSEs, although they do have a reasonable number who stay. and he is keen to go at this stage.

OlderThanAverageforMN · 12/10/2018 12:27

Our mocks are 10th/11th/12th December (break up on 13th), and then 8th/9th/10th/11th Jan which is first week back. Sucks a bit because they will be revising over xmas :-( They will not be working to timetable either of those weeks, exams only.

Soursprout · 14/10/2018 10:07

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juniperberries1 · 14/10/2018 15:18

My year 11 DS and has taken his foot off the gas somewhat! Zero motivation.

He's missing deadlines for work (never used to), summer grades had slipped - but he absolutely refuses to talk about it to us.

Repeatedly says that it's fine, he's got it under control and that I should stop going on about it. Doesn't want me to look through his work either (no wonder if it's unfinished!)

My thoughts are that it's not fine and he hasn't got it under control. Why else would he not be handing work in but spending time on his playstation? How can I best help him?

I am very mindful to not nag him and give him; but I am getting increasingly worried that he is sleepwalking into his exams. Almost refusing to aknowledge what is ahead.

I think that getting strict would have the opposite effect. I'm not sure. But doing nothing doesn't seem like much of an option. We'd do anything to help him but he is just no open to it. What would you do?

Soursprout · 15/10/2018 08:36

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raspberryrippleicecream · 15/10/2018 09:48

That sounds hard Juniper. I think Soursprouts advice is good.

I'm assuming DS2 will be on timetable during the 2 week exam period. Study leave is not even given for A levels here now.

Last week of term is work experience, which seems odd timing!

foundoutyet · 15/10/2018 09:54

Not much homework, and dd is a firm believer of last minute cramming. So compared to previous years she seems to have a lot more free time/watching tv after school.
No idea what she wants to do for A levels.
Having said this, she has up till now been a top student of her year so I hope she knows what she needs to do...I know nagging will not work.

juniperberries1 · 15/10/2018 10:02

Soursprout - what a great idea! I hadn't thought of approaching from that angle!

There is a sixth form meeting at school tomorrow and despite DS not wanting to go (?!) I am taking him anyway. It's a brilliant idea to show him where his efforts could take him. He is keen to stay at same school so when he hears what grades he needs he hopefully will take his head out of the sand!

There's also a careers fair in a few weeks which I'm insisting we go to. His best subject is computer science (hates anything to do with writing) so perhaps being exposed to all the fab opportunities for programmers/tech jobs etc may motivate him in the present.

I'm just clutching at anything now as our lines of communication are not great. He's never been a competitive kid which I fear doesn't help! Thank you for your responses - so glad I posted.

GCSEDoom · 15/10/2018 15:37

Just marking space to remember to join.

flatmouse · 15/10/2018 18:52

First 6th form visit on Saturday - where DS went. We weren't impressed. It was useful though as we discovered BTEC applied science. Another local college offers same BTEC but with 3 different pathways for second year. Think this is the alternative to the very specialised BTEC DD wants to do. She was interested.
Post 16 convention Wednesday evening where we can hopefully understand what other local colleges might offer similar BTEC, then mid to end November for rest of open days.
DD full on focus on drama at the moment. Devised drama performance next week, portfolio in after half term.

Soursprout · 16/10/2018 09:32

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fabtasticmrpox · 16/10/2018 11:25

Well done to your dd sour a 9 for art is really impressive -

Art Is the one subject dd1 wished she hadn't picked.
Despite the warnings dd2 has also chosen it!

We're off for our first 6 form visit tomorrow evening. Possibly Peter Symonds Thursday - though the reality is I think it's too far away.

IrmaFayLear · 16/10/2018 12:39

Dd wishes she hadn't picked Art either! She fervently wishes she'd chosen something she could have just crammed for rather than having to have some innate talent.

(Waves in advance of PS open evening, fabtasticmrpox !)

Soursprout · 17/10/2018 12:24

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