GCSE Summer 2020 Thread 10: Carry on Corona Cohort ‘The Next Step''

[OrangeCinnamon1]

Welcome all to the 10th Thread for this year's GCSE cohort - the Corona Cohort!

This is a thread for supporting all young people ( and their parents) who were examined for GCSEs 2020 regardless of the institute they attended or the grades they needed. It is respectfully requested that we are all supportive and helpful to each other.
If you want to start a debate e.g state vs private - please do not within this thread.
Similarly it should be recognised that the grades our children needed/deserved/wanted will vary across the board- we wish to celebrate and comiserate with all. One same grade outcome can simultaneously cause joy and despair for different posters and their families. Please be sensitive when responding to threads about grade outcomes.

Some of us have been here since I started first thread back in yr10, some will be new. Everyone has been friendly and helpful in the past. It is hoped this will continue. Going forward we intend to stay on the Secondary Education Board (at least until Mumsnet HQ chuck us out grin ) as from now on our DS/DD may go down various paths such employment, apprenticeships, higher ed etc so we decided not to be exclusionary.

Any new threads should have 'GCSE Summer 2020 Thread # : Carry on Corona Cohort' in title just to make it easier to find. There is no preciousness about who starts new threads!

At this precise moment in time it us 'results day ' most have GCSE results and some awaiting BTEC results .

We are all ALWAYS trying to protect our young people's mental health, which the government claims is their priority...when they talk about wanting students back in schools/college in September popping this here.

previous thread

@crazycrofter school's is two 20th century topics (Germany And Italy) plus the Tudors. The college offers a choice of 3 paths, her favoured one is power and belief which is Tudors, German Reformation, the witch craze, and Cromwell.

I've never studied history so am rather clueless. She is adamant that modern history is of no interest to her.

@FlyingPandas - your DC sounds just like mine!

It's a lack of self confidence I think. She's quite happy to go off on activities without knowing anyone, but maybe college feels like a bigger investment.

My DS is happier today, he has decided to take one of his exams again as he isn't happy with the level and we are pleased he is going to have a go. It will also show him what a real exam is like, they start so early though-in October-so not a lot of time to get his books out. Is anyone else going to be doing an exam?

@FlyingPandas - yes, I thought great, results are in, tick the boxes, easy, but DS2 thinks he wants to do PE instead of Product Design. I have printed off some past papers for each so he can see which look more interesting/easier. He has done the transition tasks for both which did not help him to decide. Maybe the option blocks will have changed and his decision will be made for him - I suspect that double maths and PE is not a clash that often matters!

Anybody else dithering about subjects - DS's new school suggested that looking at transition work may help the decision-making.

@Hopeful201 have you managed to establish whether the guarantee that only the highest grade of summer awarded and autumn exams will count (refuse to call them re-sits!) still stands?

CrazyCrofter, I know not what to advise. Re the history and going to college. I too looked at Ds1's school History A'level, at 6th form open day, very similar to yours, with disappointment because it looked so boring.

I as lucky enough to do Russian & German and Russian history, the 'interesting bits'! Stalin and Hitler, at GCSE and A'level.

I couldn't believe how boring history now was. Made me very sad.

@oblomov20 it is isn't ? DD used to love History ...the A level syllabus at her college didn't cut it and she was exhausted by the sheer amount of content.

I found that process yesterday so stressful and random. having to decide within a really tight timeframe where you would be studying and what A-levels you would be taking as some schools stuck to their published criteria and others would flex. It is like clearing for sixth form and much more stressful then it needs to be.

@hopeful201. The letter that came with Dd results said November they've probably got that wrong as it not Autumn ?🤔 Toying with idea of suggesting to resit Maths but think I may get my head bitten off.

@OrangeCinnamon1 The English Lit teacher is @Piggywaspushed
Given the choice between English Lit and Law I’d steer my DD to English Lit.
My DD is interested in a possible career in law but wants to read Classics at uni, then if still in the same frame of mind, she’ll do a law conversion.

I am indeed!
I think mrshamlet is on here too.

I'll read back in a bit and answer your query. Am on phone and find it fiddly!

I’m sorry to hear about the bike Oblomov. Last night was always going to be let out steam for some. DD came into room crying at 04.00 (a whole HOUR before swim alarm ffs) admitting she’d switched to the red bulls on steroid cans (don’t know what they’re called) after a few drinks to get through the night. Experienced her first wired no sleep all nighter with prospects of swim and work. Made her excuses on the swim and sent her back into bed for a couple of hours to make her later morning shift. I think tension from last few days played its part too.

Re history - don’t know what to advise either. DD taking A level also without having sat gcse. School currently do modern and ancient, she’s chosen the least popular former but I suspect the exam board school use will change for 2022 due to discontinuation (I think). So she’s taking a risk on content...

Shauna da went to an out of catchment secondary. Students from there go to colleges all over the county. Some move to the school that has a 6th form. Largest numbers go to the 2 local colleges which one operates over 2 sites.

Some go further afield as we have some very prestigious colleges in county but they are full days and yes - the journey is harsh!

My ds is moving to college which is actually right by us (about a mile away!) some students from his school are going including his best friend. But none are on his course. And due to the way learning will happen in Covid times it's unlikely they will really get to spend lunchtimes together even if in on same day!

He is autistic so struggles to make friends.

There was a lot to consider in the experience as well as the going because of all the changes required due to Covid.

But he made the decision the course he wanted was what would make him happier and form his future better.

I know that doesn't help your dd but it is how ds made his decision.

So he would say course first!

I hope you don't mind me popping on to say congratulations to all your DC.
My DS1 is in year 10 so we will be doing this all next year. Ive been lurking and watching how it all went this year in preparation for what might happen when he gets his in 12 months time.

Orange yes!!!!! I'm outside in a town which has a college. Ds is going there.

Convenient

That's a toughie. I would ALWAYS say don't do Lit if reading is not your thing although I have had people do really well who don't read much but can analyse and write well. They don't necessarily enjoy it though.

Sociology is another subject if mine. It's great, wide ranging and challenging. It doesn't overlap with Law. Biased opinion ahead : sociology is debating, enquiring, pondering and challenging . Law is rote learning facts and cases. Very little evaluation. This is A Level to be clear. Students who do well are the assiduous learners. I just think it is so dryyyyy.

Are there any other alternatives? Lang/Lit? Politics? History? Media maybe?

Oh, or RS?

[quote OrangeCinnamon1]@hopeful201. The letter that came with Dd results said November they've probably got that wrong as it not Autumn ?🤔 Toying with idea of suggesting to resit Maths but think I may get my head bitten off.[/quote]
I did joke to ds to retake maths as he was edging towards a 9! The 8 was fair and mocks in nov and March were 7 then 9.

He just rolled his eyes - understandably 🤣

He then gave me more of a glare when I asked if he wanted to look into doing a level maths as an evening class to give him an extra qualification.

And then my dog’s been voting since 05.00. Had grown partial to neighbour’s garden revamp that includes all kinds of herbs/plants growing through the fence. Clearly one is toxic...so I’m improvising with building a secondary fence...in this wind 😳

Haha. Voming grin]

History seems to very do much from school to school.

Got it wrong, opted for ancient here, but most go for modern at her school. The topic ranges are vast in both, but I’m unclear if all are actually taught, or the teachers select based on their knowledge base. There does seem to be huge variation school by school.

We went course over school as well even though ds will really struggle with the change of environment and friends etc. It was such a mature decision from him though. I was really proud of him.

@ealingwestmum my DD is doing Ancient History for A level too.
@ChristopherTracy that sounds so stressful- I think it would have finished me off!
Choosing course over school sounds the best option.Once he’s started his courses I’m sure he’ll meet new friends.

Good for him Christopher, my heart says go with course also. Not having love for a subject that takes circa 3rd of learning time is tough. I think making new friends at 16/17, whilst daunting, most are ready for a step change in faces as well as ways of working.

Sorry for the waffle from me on your question Shaun, good luck on the decision!