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Secondary education

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

Original poster

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:
Soursprout · 15/01/2019 08:10

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myrtleWilson · 15/01/2019 08:26

Yes, the school does allow study leave for mocks. Although on her first morning of mocks I got a call from HOY checking I was okay for her to use study leave (I thought I'd ticked yes on the school portal but apparently not) - panicked slightly when 40 mins into her first mock the HOY was ringing me but all good!

I think in many ways the biggest learning exercise from mocks will be about preparation and pacing. The actual content I think will be reinforced in school through revision sessions as subjects reach conclusion. I know there will be more exams in the summer but equally more spread out and although DD has done half termly, termly tests and end of year exams since Y7, the intensity of multiple papers is a different beast.

Soursprout · 15/01/2019 09:25

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foundoutyet · 15/01/2019 09:25

Second week of mocks here as well. Dd seems to be coping well. She "likes" last minute cramming and that has worked well in the past.
Don't think at least she is getting too stressed as sitting quite relaxed in front of the tv last night.

OlderThanAverageforMN · 15/01/2019 09:31

Results trickling in, one fantastic and unexpected, one terrible, one OK but she wanted better. All the sciences coming in today.

Best thing this week, they are now uniform free. Hurrah. Makes DD feel very grown up, and responsible.

Soursprout · 15/01/2019 09:52

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OlderThanAverageforMN · 15/01/2019 11:46

Sourprout It is a really nice idea, and quite unique locally. The school treats Yr11 as 6th Formers once they have completed their mocks.

There is a very strict code. Actually if anyone breaches it, then the WHOLE year has to go back into uniform. A very good incentive to abide by the rules. Basically smart, and not trashy!! No bare anythings, short skirts or leggings, no excessive boobage. Jeans are fine. They also still have to be "conservative" with their make up and jewellery.

I am Shock you have to do exams in uniform. So do they not have study leave from Easter?? And then they have to come back in uniform? That's sad.

myrtleWilson · 15/01/2019 12:02

that is a good incentive older.... We also do exams in uniform here - on study leave but have to attend school in uniform on exam days.

Soursprout · 15/01/2019 12:33

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Bimkom · 15/01/2019 20:10

DS has to wear uniform for exams as well - full uniform, not summer (summer means dispensing with the blazer and tie, well for boys it does, girls summer is a polo shirt rather than a striped, collared shirt). And apparently they won't let you sit if you are not in uniform, so they say (according to the warning notice that comes home)! I don't know to what extent that is enforced. When DS did his two GCSEs early last year, he went in full school uniform

Original poster
KittyMcKitty · 15/01/2019 20:44

I’ve never known any school which didn’t have Year 11 in full uniform up till after their last exam. 6th form uniform is basically business suits with a different tie for the boys.

OP posts:
Mrsr8 · 16/01/2019 08:11

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myrtleWilson · 16/01/2019 14:55

The end is nearly in sight Mrsr8! DD didn't wake up until 9.30am -she obviously needed that sleep! Final two tomorrow and then she's got a party to go to at the weekend which will be nice for them all...

Mrsr8 · 16/01/2019 14:58

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myrtleWilson · 16/01/2019 15:48

Really? I can't imagine the lessons will be at all effective -the pupils will either be coming down from one exam or hyped for the next....

Mrsr8 · 16/01/2019 15:53

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UnnecessaryFennel · 16/01/2019 17:40

Ds had Spanish listening today, said it was awful because they couldn't hear it properly. Apparently a complaint has been made (not sure as yet by whom though!)

Such a shame because Spanish is one of his best subjects and something he wants to study at A-level/university. I hope it doesn't bring his mark down too much.

One more day to go!

Mrsr8 · 16/01/2019 19:22

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flatmouse · 17/01/2019 12:14

So what's the website that you have to pay for that is allegedly an amazing resource for getting science grades up? DD is working hard but end of topic test in Biology she got a U. Obviously the work she is doing is not working!! (She had done revision notes and practice questions).

Would love to hear anyone who is using it and really believes it has made a difference? TIA

Mrsr8 · 17/01/2019 13:13

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UnnecessaryFennel · 17/01/2019 14:44

Yes, Tassomai. There are some good reports on here if you search for them but I think it is quite hard to complete the whole course (probably so they can protect their money-back guarantee tbh)

I have got it for ds as I'm of the opinion that it can't do any harm and it's a fairly easy way to get him to do regular science revision hollow laugh

But whether it will make a difference or not remains to be seen...

flatmouse · 17/01/2019 18:47

Thanks. DD will take a look.

OlderThanAverageforMN · 17/01/2019 18:52

KittyMcKitty DD1 school, different from DD2, but another indie, also no uniform from study leave, or for exams. Perhaps it is a local thing to me :-)

myrtleWilson · 17/01/2019 20:36

And we're done... last two today... both were quite hard apparently. She's not happy about going to school tomorrow and I can see where she's coming from. Having tomorrow off - or spreading the mocks out until the Friday so there were less 3 per day days - would make sense to me.... But at least we're through and now results eek!

Evaevie · 17/01/2019 21:54

Have all the dc that finished their mocks before Christmas revising now? Dd says she wants to but can’t motivate herself to yet- I’m staying out of it as she always sorts herself out and wouldn’t respond well to me forcing her