Gcses 2019 support thread 5

[Iambuffy]

Hi :)
Hope this is ok as we are at 1000 posts on thread 4!

I think I somewhat misrepresented the uniform policy at DS's current school, as this was going on hearsay. Despite us not having actually applied to the school for sixth form, we seem to be getting all the letters (and the headteacher did say, when I went up to say thank you and goodbye at the prize day, that if DS changes his mind there is always a place for him).
The actual uniform policy is as follows:
"The Sixth Form uniform policy requires all [boys] to be dressed in formal jackets and trousers, though we will not be insisting that they wear ties. They will need to wear formal suit trousers, stiff collared formal shirts and a suit jacket whilst they are in school, as well as formal shoes. The jackets and trousers can be black, grey, dark brown or navy blue in colour, though they do not necessarily have to be matching."

Mixed feelings about reading the reports of sixth form attire. DS expecting to go back to school sixth form and no real change to uniform. They're allowed to wear coloured shirts rather than white but still other full uniform incl tie, blazer, black trousers/shoes. It's easier and cheaper than buying a suit and having the worry of what the relaxed uniform 'should be' if there were fewer guidelines, but it feels less of a transition to adulthood. DS seems very happy though and that's the main thing for me. I'm already getting anxious about results but trying not to pass that on to him.

Dd has had no uniform from Y7. Starts off quite formal then by A levels school is very hands off with guidelines, girls are so casual they look like Uni students. Originally disappointed there was no uniform but it has given her confidence to make fashion choices and put a working wardrobe together. It’s much trickier I think for girls!

Thank you.
Dislocated thankfully.
Induction day tomorrow!

Angst after yesterday's intro day. DS has now decided he wants to drop an A-level in favour of a music production/performance btec. I am extremely doubtful about this idea. He is really into his music but doesn't really have any experience - doesn't play an instrument etc. He says according to the course leader this doesn't matter.

Apparently he's been thinking about it for 'ages' but didn't say anything 'because I knew what you'd say'...

His feckless father is a failed rock star and so is egging him on, from the safety of 6000 miles away

Would two a-levels (eg history and politics) plus a btec ('worth' either one or two a-levels depending on which course he chose) really be a problem? Am I overthinking this, with my academic-snob hat on? He says he wants to do something creative that he's passionate about as well as standard a-levels...can I really argue with that? He doesn't really know if he wants to go to uni or not.

Aaargh.

Dd is goong to bath uni with a btec and 2 a levels.

Dd2 emailed exeter to ask if she would be considered with eng lit, rs and textiles as a levels, they emailed back to say as long as she got an A in English and excellent grades in the others they didn't mind what subjects she did.

So it may not necessarily be a problem. Fwiw my dd3 would love that btec!

BTechs do have the advantage that they are all coursework, and by the end you already know pretty much what grade you have. DD's college really rates them and has got students into pretty good Universities with them.
I would wonder if he should be taking up an instrument on the side with it though?
(If he is really interested in that career - the gold star course is the Tonmeister course at Surrey - but I think you need to be grade 8 to get on.)

soursprout the cost of non uniform really depends on what they already have by way of civvies and whether or not they are still growing. My DDs have had a clothes allowance since age 14 and have built up a solid wardrobe. I paid nothing extra for Dd1's 6th form wardrobe and it will be the same for DD2. They're both canny charity shoppers too.

Thanks fibbke and soursprout - that's really reassuring. The irony is that I accept lots of students onto my programme with BTECs rather than A-levels, but equally I know they tend to struggle a little more with the step up to university work, so I think that does affect my feelings about BTECs a bit. Mine is an RG uni but it is a more 'vocational' course, so...six of one, half a dozen of the other as they say!

I guess if he keeps History and Politics as well he's keeping his options open.

Perhaps I am letting my feelings about his father's life-path cloud my judgement a little. I can't tell you how galling it is to hear 'dad's being much more supportive than you'...yes well darling your father lives on the other side of the world, pays no child support and still thinks he's Iggy fucking Pop so excuse me if I take his opinion with a bucketload of salt...

What can you do anyway? We can only advise and encourage and try to make sure they have everything covered. So true! I just want him to be happy really and be able to pay his own way and not put all his earnings up his nose yes I am looking at you ds's father

OK, I will chill out. He's off to another introductory day today. This college runs a similar course but would require him to audition! I've told him to ask lots and lots of questions. We'll see.

I would wonder if he should be taking up an instrument on the side with it though?

Oh god, Molly - I said this exact thing to him last night.

Apparently... 'my VOICE is my instrument, mum'!

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, bless him.

He does have a nice voice, and he does write beautiful lyrics, I'll give him that. Just can't play a note. I dunno. Oh, for the confidence of youth!

Well you can do grades in singing!
I'd take him seriously and get him information from places such as the course from Surrey (I would be very happy if a child of mine did that course). He seems like he is doing the wrong subjects to get into those kind of courses though - but if he insists then the BTech won't do too much harm, and he might find it much harder than he expects. And lots of people change their minds and subjects over the summer.

Oh, he's changed his mind several times this year already - we've gone from being obsessed with Spanish and wanting to study it at university to absolutely no interest at all, from English Lit to History to Geography, from Film to Media, now music production/performance...

I had a quick look at that Tonmeister course. It looks fascinating but there's no way that ds will be doing maths or physics at A-level! We will be thrilled with level 5s at GCSE...

Maud my dd was quite keen on that course and nearly signed upon the spot for it back in November. She has now changed her mind, thankfully. I can understand your reservations.

So I've had really good news this morning. The schools appeal against loss of 37 % of marks for accidental phone in exam , self reporting has been a success. Suspected malpractice has been downgraded to a warning.

I hadn't actually told dd until now so it's been good to give her bad news good news in one go.

That’s fantastic news @triggers34
Such a relief!

Maud you made me laugh this morning, thank you. But, yes, there is always something, just when you thought you had it all sorted......

Triggers Such good news, was awful when we all though she was going to loose the whole paper for being honest.

Eatthatfrog DD not changing schools. The English dept proactively sent a reading list out, Class Civ she asked for a reading list herself, and History have just said visit some lectures/museums. Nothing for Biology at all.

Buffy Oooooh, dislocated....... nasty. Did it pop back easily?? DD used to dislocate her elbows, weird joints, the pop and relief when they went back in was great .

Stand down everyone, after spending the morning there he's decided he loves the first choice college anyway, and he's too late to audition for that music course, so he's just going to stick to his three a-levels and maybe just join a band instead

Honestly, bloody teenagers!

Congratulations triggers on the school winning the appeal (not that it wasn't common sense, but that often seems to get lost in these things). I am absolutely sure she will take the warning and won't do it again, and you can now face results day feeling a bit easier.
Maud he is probably more likely to change his mind again if you keep quiet and let him do what he wants to do, than argue and have him put up defenses that he will find it embaressingto tear down. Might be worth looking at your local universities (ie the ones he might go to if he were to stay at home) for Politics and History (and any other options he might be able to take with Politics and History A level ) and find out from them if they would take him with the BTEC. If they would, probably not a huge problem. I have very little knowledge of the area, but there are voice grades, and also musical theatre grades out there, that could be done (DS is hoping to take some musical theatre grades next year, we got him a singing tutor out of school, as there was no way of doing it within it, and she is suggesting he try for one of these, as that is where his interests lie, I don't know more than this. The musical theatre grades she is suggesting are apparently new). it is hard to see the BTEC genuinely leading anywhere without the music performance side of things, but I am no expert. And if it doesn't and yet the BTEC can count towards university courses in History or Politics, what has he really lost?

Sorry Maud cross posted. That is a better outcome.

Reading everyone’s updates I’m so glad that everything hopefully is settling down again - I’m sure GCSE’s are actually sponsored by Clarol or Schwarzkopf with all the grey hairs we must be getting!!!!