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Original poster

Year 10 GCSE Support Thread

1000 replies

OrangeCinnamon · 22/09/2018 09:56

Hi all,
Can we have a thread for Year 10 support please? Even though Dd started in Y9 I have already noticed a massive ramping up in pressure and her anxiety Sad I imagine it is a fine balance of being supportive but not a helicopter parent. How do you motivate but not nag? How do you encourage good study/revision skills without being overbearing? How can I help my Dd to be resilient....so many questions hoping for some hints, tips and support along the way.

Dd is Summer born so struggles sometimes. Her main loves are Music and the Humanities subjects. She bobs along with Maths and Science and despises French. Wants to be an international popstar, historian, writer, journo or judge! She sufffers terribly with low self esteem but hopefully this term will be able to get her on a course of cbt.

OP posts:
TeenTimesTwo · 14/06/2019 07:22

Shimy what your DS needs to remember is that it might be better to have an A or B in a humanity than a C in Chemistry. So if it is only Durham who is saying science is preferred then he needs to also look at their offer grades and think can he reasonably get that with his science subject.

Has he considered Sociology? That might fit well with his intended degree. Or Psychology? Though as crazy says, Geography is a kind of cross over subject.

RedSkyLastNight · 14/06/2019 07:50

What's the 'point' of doing 1 science at A level?

1 science plus maths is enough to go on and study science at university. In fact 1 science plus maths is arguably a better foundation than 2 sciences and no maths.

(Actually I took 1 science at A level, though granted I ended up not studying it further)

TeenTimesTwo · 14/06/2019 07:59

Ah Red yes, 1 science plus maths. But Shimy 's DS I think has already discounted maths...

RedSkyLastNight · 14/06/2019 10:33

Ah ok - I'd missed the no maths.
Interestingly my colleague's son is taking Biology, Geography and Business A Levels (well, he's just finished taking them). Colleague said he had no clue what he wanted to do when he was choosing A Levels so just picked subjects he enjoyed / was good at. But they have found out when looking at universities that he has done the "wrong combination" for the courses he is now interested in.

The good news I guess is that they found some unis were able to be flexible and he's been able to get offers in related subjects (possibly with the aim of changing course at the end of first year).

It's a difficult question though - not everyone knows at 16 what they want to do longer term and with 3 A Levels it's hard to keep options open

TeenTimesTwo · 14/06/2019 10:46

It's a difficult question though - not everyone knows at 16 what they want to do longer term and with 3 A Levels it's hard to keep options open

I agree, that's partly why I was questioning the one science (especially as it seemed to be because 1 uni had said preferred rather than any interest from the DS). I can't see that 1 pure science and no maths keeps any options more open, because it isn't enough to go on to do a science based degree.

Things like geography, sociology, psychology have a 'foot in both camps' as it were, and support either other science or humanities.

( NB my opinions are based on general interest, I have not researched this recently nor do I have any special knowledge.)

Shimy · 14/06/2019 12:06

Thanks for your comments all. Doing 1 science wouldn’t be a problem as DS is not planning on doing anything sciencey at uni. There’s been a development anyway, as last night I went to double check the uni requirements and it wasn’t what DS had thought. They had asked for any 3 subjects but one should be either a humanity or social science. DS read it wrong, so thank goodness I decided to go and double check. That means problem solved, he doesn’t need to do a science at all.

I always think it’s a good idea to check university entry requirements first before choosing a’levels even if it’s to just have a vague idea. I know it’s difficult to know what you might go on to study but students will know which subjects they are strong in and this must give some kind of indication. I’d want to avoid the the shock of finding out the 3 subjects I’ve been studying aren’t the ones required for my chosen course.

TeenTimesTwo · 14/06/2019 12:48

Glad it's sorted. Smile The requirement sounded a bit weird but makes much more sense now. I definitely agree re checking possible degree requirements when choosing A levels.

Shimy · 15/06/2019 12:17

Thanks Teen. I’m glad I checked myself.

Original poster
OrangeCinnamon · 16/06/2019 09:58

Thanks @PostNotInHaste @shimy ...had a huff with DH who has promised to fo more 'bad cop' stuff. Was all set to leave Dd to it as per ypur advice until she came to me seeking help saying she was feeling low about her capability on the paper. We worked through a couple of questions together..she finds Inference tricky. Teenagers are so funny after DH left for work 7 am this morn she crawled into our bed for a snooze with me. Next week she'll go back to being belligerent am sure!

OP posts:
Original poster
OrangeCinnamon · 16/06/2019 10:07

So @shimy does that mean that he is ok ..in fact probably more than

Economics (Social Sciences)
History (Humanities)
Chemistry (something he enjoys is likely to get a top mark in)

All looks good from here!

OP posts:
Shimy · 16/06/2019 12:25

@OrangeCinnamon it’s looking more like:
Economics
Geography (decided against history emphatically yesterday and yet to find out why).
Biology.

PostNotInHaste · 16/06/2019 20:17

That’s lovely she crawled into bed for a snooze OrangeCinnamon! It’s good she did come to you. Maybe say to her that you were pleased she felt able to come and ask for help, that you’re there if she needs you anytime and will support her but will leave her to her own devices the rest of the time .

Shimy that sounds good to me, wonder why he so suddenly went off History?

Exams finally start tomorrow here.

Shimy · 16/06/2019 22:48

@PostNotInHaste I’ve told him to keep his options options until after GCSEs. He wasn’t very convincing why he didn’t want to do History anymore, just mumble mumble here, and more mumbling there with a loud dramatic aaargghh! Hmm. But at least we know what subjects he will be choosing from and that’s alright for now.

RomanyQueen · 17/06/2019 21:56

Bloody exams, I want a rant. two teachers have tried for 4 years to help dd gain confidence to try.
She said she revised alot and has witnesses which I'd believe because we'd seen the results of some confidence in her ability. and once again she didn't do very well according to her.
Confidence on the floor once again.
One of the teachers is leaving, dd is really gutted. She really made a difference, went the extra mile and wasn't appreciated, I don't blame her. Sad good teachers should be cherished not forced out.
I'll be so glad when GCSE's and A levels are over.

Shimy · 19/06/2019 15:21

Is floottoot still on here? If you are, how is your DD coming along?

Shimy · 19/06/2019 15:23

@RomanyRoots sorry to hear about school situation and teacher leaving. I know what effect that can have on a child. Hopefully you’ll get a good teacher replacement.

Shimy · 19/06/2019 15:24

Sorry there! That was to @RomanyQueen.

carolb54 · 19/06/2019 15:33

Hi All,

My DD is currently in Year 10. At her school they normally give the reports of the students performance at the end of the each completed year. Is this the norm for everyone else who has children at secondary schools? Confused

TeenTimesTwo · 19/06/2019 15:37

carol we get termly reports. But only a table of data, no wordy bits.

carolb54 · 19/06/2019 15:45

Hi TeenTimes,

If you don't mind me asking but does your child attend a private school or a state school? With my DD, at parents evening the teachers give us an insight in to her current results. I had a tutor over the weekend who was so adamant that schools who do not issue termly reports are failing the students. I am still so mad at his comments even at the stage when I am typing this now Shock and Angry

carolb54 · 19/06/2019 15:45

My DD attends a state catholic school

PostNotInHaste · 19/06/2019 15:50

RomanyQueen that is tough. Do you think with the exams she has done badly or just thinks she has?

Carol we get reports every half term, but just data. State school.

carolb54 · 19/06/2019 15:53

Thanks PostNotInHaste.

TeenTimesTwo · 19/06/2019 15:54

state comp.

Termly data is fine for me (and I'm quite an 'involved' parent).
Marked exams / tests can come home so I can see them. If I need more input to help DD I can email the teacher.

I'm not sure I'd be happy with nothing at all until the end of the summer term though.

We also get 1 parents evening a year, though when it is depends on the year group.

PostNotInHaste · 19/06/2019 16:20

I’d be happy with termly, I’m always surprised when it turns up as feel only just had one. I wouldn’t be happy with end of year as don’t feel would be able to spot problems as occurring and deal. Parent’s evening is once a year though there might be an extra one this year.

Same as Teen I see test results when they are in and they translate inti the report data any way.

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