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Secondary education

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

Current Year 11 2021/2022 support thread pt II

1000 replies

StColumbofNavron · 20/07/2021 09:47

Thread for those with Y10s finishing July 2021 ready for Y11 in Sept 2021.

All welcome.

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CornishGem1975 · 28/03/2022 19:01

@StColumbofNavron I just checked the info we were given and it says this;

"Please note; each year there is an ‘exams contingency day’ set by JCQ and this year it is Wednesday 29th June, so please ensure your child is available that day in case this contingency day is required."

Nothing about any other days - not saying that we're correct, just saying what our school have said!

StColumbofNavron · 28/03/2022 19:27

It’s 100% possible, even likely I have got it wrong. These things go on for ages and I may definitely zone out sometimes - particularly as I seem to live at the school at the moment because of GCSE year, options year and we are also an incoming family for year 7.

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NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 28/03/2022 19:37

The 29th wouldn't give enough time to sit more than two or three exam papers maximum though! So not much use if you've missed more papers than that!

I said to DD that I think the schools would be better doing the Year 11 and 13 revision lessons (that presumably will be most of their lesson time after Easter) live online to minimise their exposure in the lead up to the GCSEs.

CornishGem1975 · 29/03/2022 09:19

Yes I thought that @NewModelArmyMayhem18 If you've tested positive for COVID you could be off school for a good 8 days or so. They'd have to revert to TAGs surely?

StColumbofNavron · 29/03/2022 09:23

It is such a mess again isn't it, but without any of the real contingencies of the past two years.

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MirandaWest · 29/03/2022 11:23

I'm not sure whether it's the case for all subjects, but DD is under the impression that where there are at least two papers that there is a gap of 10 days between them so if you're off for one due to Covid that you'll hopefully be there for the other and so can get your grade that way.

But really not sure how it will all work (or not).

QueenMabby · 29/03/2022 11:31

Response from DS's form tutor:

Good morning,

I hope you and the family are well.

Thank you for the email - I have forwarded your questions to the Senior Leadership Team and I'm waiting their response. Hopefully, all parents/students will be informed of the COVID protocol once the government guidance is released for the Summer examinations.

Please be assured further information will be released imminently.

I hope you have a good day.

So not entirely helpful for those students with initial exams next week or for those with early oral exams!

legosnowqueen · 29/03/2022 11:37

There has been a real lack of communication from DS's school on the exams generally, we've literally heard nothing since the mock exam timetable was issued before half term. I'd have liked to have had visibility of revision classes - everything I know about these (after the event...he didn't go), the prom (now moved to 30 June), study leave, etc is is either from DS who isn't 100% reliable or from parents who've have older DCs. I only know the exam dates because I've been into the exam boards' websites. Frustrating!

MirandaWest · 29/03/2022 13:08

We've not been given much at all - there are links to the exam timetables on the school website and there are revision classes available after school Monday to Thursday but nothing's been said about study leave for year 11 at all.

DS is in year 13 and we've had a letter but still not very specific. It also gave tips such as "give them a treat like a nice meal or a nice cup of tea".

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 29/03/2022 20:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 29/03/2022 20:18

Oops wrong thread Blush

Silkierabbit · 30/03/2022 05:03

DD has done another set of mocks but think only maths back so far where she got 100%. She has got 4 offers from sixth forms, all her choices and subject choices, last one conformed today, think she will hold a few and wait until results but likely to go to the big, very academic local one as her boyfriend will go there and its academic. I am not sure how it will go as she currently misses loads of school and turns up late and is a heavy user of pastoral care which is not great there but academically its great and great location and she says she will change. If she cannot cope there there are other places she can change to so sure one option will work for her. Current school are very laid back on her missing half the days atm, relief for us we are not being fined and they are so kind.

Just started chemotherapy 2 weeks ago, finding it very tough going and DD has been pretty vile to me past week and I am on steriods and the combination of teenage mood swings and steriods is not great. Was my birthday today and at 12.10am, chemo day before and in agony with eye pain, she was in ranting at me for not booking her trip to Paris when she has the rest of her social life to book (how selfish of me to be doing chemo and only planning all the things around it) then later she was back saying she hated me, her brother hated me, my husband hates me. My husband is amazing and tells me he loves me and would do anything for me everyday and does so I know that's not true and her brother is very loving as well though terrified for me and him. She goes through long periods of being lovely then we get these episodes but its such a difficult time for them atm, just hate being her emotional punchbag but am an easy target as I am sick atm. I have counselling starting on Thursday, her latest threat is if I see a friend on holiday she will refuse to come and get her brother to refuse to come. I was quite hurt at first but then I thought actually if you are going to be horrid that is actually quite tempting and would save me lots of stress and money though her brother is really easy on holiday so hope he would come. He is only 15 as well so too young to leave at home. She has a boyfriend now who seems very sensible and lovely and he seems a good influence and most of the time she is lovely and doing amazingly well. She is going to Paris at Easter to be with MIL for a week, hope she doesn't take covid over to her as she is late 80s and a hugger and kisser but MIL is happy to have her and not seen her for a long time. MIL sent me a lovely birthday card with a really sweet message, think we will see her in the summer hopefully, she does not know I have cancer as she would worry so much but will have to tell her in summer when I have no hair but at least chemo over then. Have a call with the cancer team to discuss the problems having tomorrow at 10am and hopefully can find solution. DS is struggling so much at school, mute, no friends, just wandering around field, so want to move him schools but having a nightmare with EHCP and have to spend loads of time on that and not easy with chemo but current school are saying must find a new one end year 10, urgh. And parking fine appeal for chemo failed today, great. Though at least my steriods give me energy I can do things on. The cat also gets seriously jealous of my cancer and howls any time anyone talks to me, and also awakes and asks for multiple breakfasts when DD comes to me past midnight with her daily problems for me to solve and poor DH gets little sleep between all his girls. The girl silkie is now indoors and she often lays an egg very loudly at 7,30am, she is so cute and lovely and the rabbit is bouncy and lovely, they are a good distraction but will be so glad when my chemo and DDs GCSEs are over. Still lots of treatment after that, 10 years of stuff but hoping this is the worst of it and don't get left with permanent issues though looking dodgy on that atm.

StColumbofNavron · 30/03/2022 07:22

Oh @Silkierabbit what an utter load of shit. Can DH step in for some of this stuff?

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QueenMabby · 30/03/2022 08:31

Oh gosh @Silkierabbit - what a horrible time you're having - a perfect storm of chemo, GCSEs, ehcp etc.

Teenagers can be shit sometimes. She must love you very much and feel very secure in your love to feel safe enough to push back in such a way. I'm sure it'll be easier as you say once chemo and GCSEs are done with. 13 weeks (ish) for the GCSEs.

I hope you get the ehcp sorted for ds.

My own ds is starting to get stressed and uptight over exams - his first one is in a week's time!

IThinkIMadeItWorse · 30/03/2022 10:04

Sorry to hear things are so tough for you at the moment @Silkierabbit sending you some unmumsnetty hugs and hope the counselling is helpful.

We still have no information from school about study leave etc. In fact no information about the planned "revision sessions" next week. DS is not the most reliable source of information but he thinks they are going to be more like supervised self study sessions rather than teaching. He was given back the draft of his drama coursework last Thursday with feedback and it is due next Tuesday with a great deal of work needed so he has been focusing on that this week. The drama teacher says the Tuesday revision session is compulsory if they want to hand it in on that day.

He is slowly getting some mock results back, he improved his grade in English language which we are very happy about. The teacher said the grade boundaries were a bit lower than he expected but they will be a bit lower than 2019 in the real things so fingers crossed.

He now has offers from both the sixth forms he applied to for what he wants to do (it seems uncooperative sixth form are more flexible than they said they were after all.) He has taster days in July and doesn't have to decide until results day so we shall see what happens.

zighead · 30/03/2022 12:24

Sorry to hear what you're going through @Silkierabbit My friend had similar issues with her teenage daughter, whilst she was going through chemotherapy. Hope you have a nice break from her when she is away in Paris and that you manage to sort a new school for your DS. Hope your dh is stepping up as you have enough to deal with. Take care of yourself as a number one priority. Daffodil

My DS breaks up for Easter on Friday and then has only nine more days in school Shock He seems to be doing okay but is dreading his Spanish oral exam which is straight after the Easter holidays. Will be glad when that is over.

We've not been told anything about contingency plans for exams if covid is an issue, only about the 29th June being a spare day if there is a national emergency.

Anyone started to book university open days? We have booked some for September and October as want to spread them out a bit, for expense and time reasons.

legosnowqueen · 30/03/2022 12:48

@Silkierabbit you're having such a tough time of it, will be so much better when we're through the GCSEs although I appreciate you'll still have a lot on your plate. Really hope things start to look up for you Thanksgives me some perspective on my whinges about school comms for sure...

CornishGem1975 · 30/03/2022 13:26

Sorry you're having such a difficult time @Silkierabbit

We got the 6th form offer confirmed today, conditional of course. We've only applied to the one, so all eggs in one basket so to speak.

No results from any mocks yet - the whole purpose of them was to offer personalised revision guidance but soon it will be too bloody late.

Anyone else bothered by the seemingly lack of urgency on the school side?

Rollergirl11 · 30/03/2022 14:21

@Silkierabbit ahhh what a shocker for you. The only thing I can say is that sometimes I think anxiety and worry in our young people can manifest in ways we wouldn’t expect. It sounds like she’s taking it all out on you. But as someone else said upthread take comfort that she is secure in your love for her to act in this way. Sending lots of positive vibes your way and things WILL ease off soon.

DD is having a bit of a nightmare atm. She has fallen out with all of her friendship group and currently nobody is speaking to her. She has found other people to sit with for lunch but she is very sad and lonely. It’s her 16th birthday on Saturday and a month ago she was talking about having a party but now she feels like she has no-one to do anything with. She is desperate for the Easter hols and thankfully they finish at midday on Friday. Then we are off to Liverpool to see family so at least she will get spoilt rotten there.

QueenMabby · 30/03/2022 14:32

University open days @zighead are we supposed to be doing that already? DS won't have a clue!

zighead · 30/03/2022 18:22

@QueenMabby I'm sure lots of applicants leave uni open days until year 13 but if you look they all seem to be similar dates, so it would be difficult unless you are only planning on looking at a couple.

We have nine universities that he wants to check out. Also DS 's school require the UCAS form in really early. I'm hoping the open days will also give him more idea of what he wants to study.

@Rollergirl11 your poor DD. Not what you need at the moment. Hope she has a lovely birthday regardless.

Rollergirl11 · 30/03/2022 19:27

Wow @zighead that’s very proactive of you booking in uni open days! I don’t dare think that far in advance just yet.

DD has just asked me if I think 2 hours revision (split in to three 40 mins sessions per subject) is enough. I said of course it is but just thought I’d check how much your DC’s are/intending on doing per day?

StColumbofNavron · 30/03/2022 19:32

No idea, but very much doubt it’s more than that.

We’ve got a list of about 8-9 unis, but I’m not sure that DS1 won’t switch to Spanish or History and Spanish from straight history. I think our plan is to try and get some breaks away to different places and then narrow down perhaps.

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zighead · 30/03/2022 19:51

My DS is doing approx 3 x 35 minutes per evening, although how much of that is spent choosing his Spotify playlist and daydreaming is anybody’s guess Confused

Naem · 30/03/2022 22:44

Well the formal A Level list has come out, and neither French nor Geography are on it, and there is really nothing DD wants to do that is offered by the school for her third A level. But she also doesn't want to go anywhere else (sigh). The other girl who wants to do Geography's mother has been in touch - wants to write to the school and ask if we could pay something to have the A level run. I am not sure a State school would be allowed to do that, would they?
There sound like there are quite a few who are upset because their choices just don't work. DD's year is, for a whole range of complex reasons, a very small year - all the years below hers have at least an extra class. This is coming home to roost in terms of the numbers to do A levels. There are apparently five students joining, but even so, not enough to give a lot of DC the choice they want. But on the other hand, I think being a small year may have something to do with why so few DC want to leave.
I mentioned to the other mum about our thoughts about possibly doing the third A level on line, or at a local (private) college. Sounds like her DD might be interested in that too but wants to discuss the payment option with the school first. A third mum I was in contact with - they are offering all three subjects her DD wants to do but two of them clash in the pools, so she still can't do them - not sure what her DD is going to do. And my DD says there are loads others unhappy at school.

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