Current Year 11 2021/2022 support thread pt III

[StColumbofNavron]

Thread for the parents of DC sitting their GCSEs in about 4 weeks time - eek.

Glad I've found you! My usually very diligent DD not revising at all, getting crippling headaches and is generally very low energy. I have seeing her like this.

@Friedaseyebrow sorry to hear that your DD isn't feeling very perky.

DD has picked up now and having been sick (which extended her days off school by a day), she's well enough to get back 'in the saddle' today. Spanish oral this afternoon too.

I think they're all run down. DD certainly seems it. Anyone else?

Hello, can I join in too? DD also exhausted. Study leave starts tomorrow, and then a week off until the first exam on the 16th. Plenty of revision happening but stress is mounting.

Good that your DD is in the revision zone @Womblesaremyfavouritefood . DD doing her second set of mocks so recently (and having done well) has actually made revising again so soon feel like a no-no. So she tells me!

She has put a lot of focus over the past week (when she's been feeling up to it) on revising for her MFL oral. It seems misplaced effort seeing as she's doing 'Foundation' and can't go above a five.

DS trudging on. He finishes next Wednesday and then only has to go in for exams.

It's painful though. It'll be better once they actually start I think. This waiting is horrible!

Well my DS's first exam was this afternoon. He was ridiculously nervous last night and this morning but said it went okay. Next one on Monday. Am glad they've finally started, one down, 21 to go 😬

It feels like wasted time here. DD isn't finding the 'revision classes' much use at all.

Goodness knows what it's going to be like when they have to stay in school between the first fortnight's exams too.

My Dds school has also scrapped study leave but expects them to be in lessons throughout - up until the last exam. Once we get past half term though, I seriously doubt anyone will stay in for the lessons between exams and I've told my dd I will back her up if she wants to stay home.
she recently got a weekend job at a local cafe (she's still 15) and works one day a weekend there so she will be able to do more in the summer if she wants to which is great.
first exam (Spanish speaking) was yesterday, much like a PP said, she said it was terrible! But at least it's done and things are underway.

Once we get past half term though, I seriously doubt anyone will stay in for the lessons between exams and I've told my dd I will back her up if she wants to stay home. It seems bloody-minded to demand that they stay in school for the duration, even up to half-term. Some young people will revise significantly better at home (DD included!) than in school (she's easily distracted). Is it a 'one size fits all' approach to ensure that the ones who are not likely to do any revision at home, do some rather than none at all?

If DD gets good quality revision support until half-term, I'm prepared to 'go with the flow' but she's already intimating that some of the revision lessons in school are not helpful at all.

DS2 is just about odd and running - first exam, history, was on Wednesday. Now a little gap until eng lit on Wednesday next week. Lessons carryon until the end of next week, including Saturday morning school which I think will be resented given that he has 8 exams the following week. I fear that revision for them is being occluded by concern for the early eng and history.

Ds up to his ears in revision and I'm being roped in to test. He has a lot to do and I'm fearful he won't make it but keeping my fears to myself and trying to be encouraging. I wish he'd listened to me and focussed a bit more from Easter.
6 weeks of stress here we come!

Is it a 'one size fits all' approach to ensure that the ones who are not likely to do any revision at home, do some rather than none at all?

That seems the (good) intention but as dd pointed out, the ones who are not likely to revise at home are also most likely to disappear from the lessons.

I haven’t heard of schools keeping DC in school throughout exams. Seems tough, but hopefully they know what they’re doing.
DS did history and English language on Thursday, 3 exams coming up this week. He’s very relaxed, which I’m not sure is a good thing.
good luck to all sitting exams this week.

Good luck to the DC who are starting their written papers this coming week.

DD has her French oral tomorrow and i think that's all she has this week. Written papers start next week.

Wishing all your DC's the very best of luck for the week ahead.

All the best to those who have exams this week. I think the iGCSEs start a bit earlier than the regular ones. In seven weeks DS will be all finished (and one of those weeks is half term.) His next exam is Biology paper one on the 17th.

DS seems to have found a bit more motivation and has been doing what seems to be a reasonable amount of revision as far as I can tell. It is quite hard to know if he is going over his weaker areas or just refreshing stuff he was already secure in. I think no study leave will suit him and the school are keen for them to get as much teacher input as they can. Full timetable between exams is all we have heard so far. Not sure how long that will carry on for, presumably they won't keep them past the end of June?

When I was at school I stayed where I was for sixth form and my school did a week of mornings after the exams were finished for those who wanted to do A level maths. I think some of the teachers saw this as an opportunity to put people off! I remember quite enjoying algebraic long division though the teacher who taught us about logarithms and got out the old log books was clearly just doing it because he wanted to (not relevant to A level maths at all!) DS has a taster day at one sixth form confirmed for the first week of July and the other one is likely to be that week as well.

DS has his French oral on Tuesday, then the written exams start on 17 May. He's not at all confident about his French oral, but has studied hard over the last few weeks...although went to an 18th birthday party on Saturday so has been tired today 😂

Good luck to all with exams this week!

We got the Prom suit on .Saturday so pleased to have ticked that off...felt quite emotional.

It's the last day in school for lessons on Friday. They have lessons in the morning then a leavers assembly after lunch followed by photos on the lawn. The Head of Year sent out an e mail setting out the arrangements with a strong warning that any students bringing alcohol to school that day or appearing to be under the influence will be sent home. Although I'm sure DS won't do either of those it filled me with dread 😂😂 I'm sure there will be some partying later in the day...

Good luck everyone. Our exams start a week today. DC still plodding on and starting to target revision according to what is when. TBH I just want it all over now ... we seem to have been focused on GCSEs forever.

Good luck for DC’s with exams this week. DD’s first exam is RE next Monday. She has 23 exams in total. All over on 23rd June.

Good luck to those kicking off and doing their language orals. We are the same 17 May! I’m expecting DS1 to go into focused mode now, it seems to be how he works. We’ve got SATs today with DS3 and DS2 has end of year assessments for the next two weeks so all going on.

DD has her French oral on Thursday and then RE is the first paper a week today. She’s had a headache all weekend and has slept a lot but also barely eaten anything so I am a bit worried. I’m like Mrs Doyle offering her snacks and drinks all the time.

Best of luck to those with mfl orals this week. DS has ICT tomorrow then that's one whole GCSE done for him! The main ones start on 17th for him (Biology 1) and end on 23rd June (Physics 2).

Last 'normal' week of school now for DD. I've told her just to try and enjoy this time now with her friends as soon it will all be over and they're going their separate ways. Revision is ramping up, I mean she was already doing a fair amount but it's hard to get her to stop at the moment. Made her take some breaks this weekend and got her out of the house.

Last week of school here too, all seems a bit surreal. DS plodding on and looking ahead to first exam a week today - computer science. Will be glad when they get underway as the build up seems to be a long time coming.

Good luck with those who have already started or start this week 🍀

Yes, I think my DD will feel better when it's started @PaddingtonPaddington It's all the anticipation!

Also looks set to be 24 degrees next Tuesday for her first exam so glad it's at 9 am as I remember doing mine in the sweltering heat, doors open, and lots of noise! Just wanting to get out to get a drink!