Starting Year 11-GCSE2021 (title edited by MNHQ)

[indy69]

Good morning Mums,

My DD will start her GCSE journey this September. MN always has such good advice that I thought we could have a new thread to support each other. My DD has 4 options apart from English, Science AQA and Maths Edexcel. She has Art and History - Edexcel, and Psychology and Economics - AQA. It wpuld be lovely to know what your DC are doing and we could share resources here. I look forward to meeting you all on this thread. We have 4 weeks to go to start of term and a ton of homework to finish. My DD is feeling too lazy to do anything at the moment, but I guess they have earned the break. I will start reminding her next week about the work. Thanks

She had English today and said there is a compulsory speaking part to it which doesn't go towards the GCSE but she will be graded formally for

Yup that's right. It used to be 20% of the GCSE but about 5 years ago they just put it as a separate grade alongside. I think DD2 did hers right at the end of last term, end y9. Unless it was a practice. Seemed a good idea to get it out of the way.

Thanks Teen, had no idea about this, she said they can get a pass, merit or distinction and it's a stand alone thing.

DD had to prepare a speech lasting 4-6 minutes (?) and then deliver it with prompt cards. She then had to answer one unprepared question. They were filmed (for moderation purposes). (DD said half the class did speeches on saving the planet.)

I did wonder whether 'not reading the whole thing' was a criteria for getting higher than a Pass, but I didn't actually check because we're only generally aiming for grade 4/5s and DD would never get a distinction for speaking anyway.

(I'm kind of assuming that it is designed so more or less anyone will pass and thus decided not to worry too much about it.)

DD has already worked out there's no way of 'failing' it

Happy to join - my DD seems to be in the unusual position of already completing her first year of GCSEs in Y9. At her school they take the courses over 3 years and I must say it is allowing more in-depth study and less pressure to fit everything in so far. My DS did his GCSEs over 2 years and it was a long, hard slog.She is taking English Lit and Lang, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, RS, History, Music and Statistics. All students have to take compulsory Statistics as the school feels the skills learned can be useful for A levels. My DD starts back tomorrow and hopes for a good timetable. I am just hoping that she cracks on with her homework and I don't have to nag her not to leave it until the last minute!

She had English today and said there is a compulsory speaking part to it which doesn't go towards the GCSE but she will be graded formally for

I remember that from DD. I would advise your DC to pick their topic carefully if they want to avoid bullying

Goodness knows how DS will do as he's very reluctant to speak in public.

DD's come home with her timetable. We are happy with the teachers she has got (those we know anyway). PE and core ICT are nicely timed so they can be used for orthodontist appointments. Per fortnight she has 6 hours maths + 1 extra, and the same for English. 10 hours science and 5 for each of the options.

What What was the problem, too 'babyish' or too controversial?

TeenPlus it was LGBT Rights so very controversial.

Teen I've eyed the double PE on a Wednesday as potential Orthodontist appointment times too

Thusday afternoon Orthodontist appointment for DS!

I'm so impressed that you all have a choice when you can make orthodontist appointments. My DDs orthodontist states on a BIG sign that the only kids who can choose their appointments are kids in year 11 and year 13 - otherwise you have to accept the next available appointment regardless of the time. It's like a draconian cult in there!

Happy That does sound draconian! The only restriction where DD goes is that only private patients are seen after 3pm - the NHS patients have to suck up going in school hours (not a hardship when it gets you out of something you are happy to miss).

Signing in with a dd starting yr10. She had a good first day back yesterday and seems happy with her timetable/teachers. I haven’t had a look at it yet.

I’ve also spent quite a bit on stationery but she seems more keen to study now after a difficult yr9 (mean girls).

Year 9 seems to be the 'Year of the Mean Girls', my DD has a completely new set of friends from last year and has removed herself from nearly all of the WhatsApp chat groups she was part of as she couldn't bear all the drama anymore. I too an hoping for a more settled year.

Joining in this group. DS is starting year10 this year and along with the usual maths, english, sciences will be doing history, CS, Latin and French. I have serious doubts about him taking history and Latin that are quite heavy essay based as I don't think this is his strength

DS has had a good start to the year, likes his teachers and seems relaxed about everything. Despite being a grammar school, the attitude from teachers is supportive about helping the pupils prepare for the exams - not like the local private school that my friend sends her kids to, first day back and the pressure is on - insisting on them starting to study now, studying through the holidays, a day off for Christmas if they’re lucky. Scaring the kids on the first day back is not great really.

Apart from getting a detention for being late, DS2 seems pretty happy with his return to school. He's feeling pretty confident about music because he does a lot outside school but I hope he realises there's a written paper that takes up a lot of time and it's not just performing! Also it's only one subject - he needs to pay attention to the rest!
No homework so far apart from covering a DT book in sticky-back plastic...

A bit late joining, but DS has started back in yr10. He’s doing both English, maths, 3 science, history, computer science, PE and a Cambridge National in ICT.

His timetable looks like my worst nightmare!

Another late joiner. DS taking English Language, English Literature, Maths, 3 x Sciences, French, History, Art and Technology. Good luck all!

DD is happy with her teachers, a lot of whom she has had before.
We are also very happy with her set texts for English (Macbeth, AIC & Jekyll&Hyde).

School has just sent out loads of info about science units and assessments. DS2 is not going to be happy that I have this information although in reality all I can do is remind him to revise.

Grrrr. Just what I didn't need.

DD has been reluctant to write up a short h/w for one subject.
It turns out the teacher has threatened to make them redo stuff if it isn't neat enough, and actually tore something out of on pupil's book.

DD has motor skills issues, and was told in y7 she could use a laptop, but found using one too slow and returned to handwriting...

I've said either she needs to talk to her teacher or class tutor, or I need to, or something. I've suggested she take in last term's exam to show the teacher what is reasonable to expect (she can maintain neatness for 5 minutes with slow writing, but not when taking notes in class.)

That's annoying teenplus. My younger DC has to use a laptop but of course certain subjects like maths aren't possible so his books in those subjects are a mess! Hopefully the teacher will be understanding when she speaks to them about it but you might need to step in as teachers often seem to think kids are making stuff up.

DD has settled back in nicely and is much happier now she is away from her form as she never got on with any of them and was bullied a fair bit in years 7 and 8. Virtually none of them are in her classes as she is doing more academic subjects and most of them aren't. She likes most of her teachers and is loving certain subjects now where the class numbers are low and there are no kids mucking around! History and french in particular I think she will now thrive in.

She leaves on her french exchange in 9 days. It's a whole week and she is going to have to catch up on all class and homework missed which is going to be tough. It sounds great though - they are going to Bordeaux and there are only 10 of them. They do have to stay with their families on their own which sounds a bit terrifying! When I did my exchange there were 4 of us staying with one family which was easy really.

Currently buying all the revision guides and CGP Revision cards so she is fully prepared. She seems very organised and motivated which is great - 2 years ago she was floating a bit so I'm glad she has gotten over that!

Titsy Would love to know what you think of the CGP cards, as I've seen them in Smiths, but sealed boxes so I couldn't look through them.