Current Year 11 - 2 more weeks of exams!!

[Rollergirl11]

New shiny thread!!

Both DDs have decided on 6th Form College so no uniform needed. Like the PP they're both hoping for a (Mum funded) shopping spree before term starts to buy new clothes/boots/trainers etc.

I've upgraded their Oyster cards to 16+ ones, plus the college are asking for a voluntary donation of £150 each to cover the two years and I guess I'll be subsiding the purchase of their text books. I looked on Amazon and Waterstones and the costs were the same so I'm going for Waterstones as I get a £1 refund for every £10 spent on my loyalty card. Might as well get something out of it!

DDs just have to get 6s to get in. As their mocks were a mixture of 7/8/9s I'm hoping they've achieved this. Beginning to feel a bit nervous for Thursday

I'd like to stay on any new thread here for 6th Form too!

We have done the uniform shopping this morning. I have two boys, ds1 is starting six form and ds2 is going into year 8. We have got ds1 a set of suits, three white shirts and a pair of black shoes, £350 in total. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I am sure he will need a spare set of suits as well. I can’t believe how much the price increases on school shoes this year.

Ds needs two suits (One for smarter events apparently) Luckily granny chipped in and bought one and I can get extra trousers. Just told him to make sure they don't go in the school laundry.
Has to have at least 10 shirts but thankfully still able to fit in the 16 years from M and S so visited their Kid's section.

Just discovered DD can get her resit result from college either in person (1hr round trip) or by phone. Quite surprised, I assumed they'd be put up online somewhere, but apparently not.

DS can wear normal clothes to college but if he ends up going to his 6th form instead then they have a quite a complex dress code. It’s not formal at all but no shorts, no ripped jeans, only smart shoes or black or white trainers, tops must not have any logos/designs bigger than 5cm.
it’s put him off quite a bit which is a real shame as I actually think the smaller and familiar environment would be better for him

DS will have a dress code rather than a uniform. Trousers can't be jeans, jogging bottoms or leather, which really only leave chinos or a suit. Shirt, tie optional. Blazer or suit jacket for formal events. Has taken a while to find a blazer that fits (he's very tall and very slim) but now we have and it looks great. Feel very proud of him and the move up top sixth form feels really significant. Just have to get through Thursday! (and Reading 😂)

Lost the thread! Hope everyone is not too wobbly. Ds is transitioning to a different school with 'ordinary clothes' but nothing frayed, holey or tracksuits, which cuts out virtually everything he owns. Refuses to shop or buy anything except 'vintage' from China. Hey ho. Knows no-one but rather looking forward to the change. He's had an absolutely sluggish summer except for holiday, hope 6th form gets him energised!

Argh don't know why that posted three times!

DD needs business wear for her 6th form. She has a blazer, skirt and some tops already but probs need to get her some trousers and new shoes. She has now finished 3 subjects transition work and has one left to go. I have suggested she try’s to get it complete this week before she heads to Reading on Thursday. Then she will have a completely free week next week.

For those of you with DC’s going to Reading or Leeds there is a thread in the Teenager section for us nervous parents to chat. 🫣🥴

www.mumsnet.com/talk/teenagers/4613020-reading-2022-any-of-your-16-year-olds-going?page=2&reply=119427962

@MirandaWest if your DD is anything like mine, she’s always hopeful for new clothes! At least I don’t need to blow £60 on a really ugly pair of shoes, but another £60 on trainers that will get worn for about 15 hours total. I’ve already been taken for a rucksack, jeans and a very smart planner.

Ds has to wear suits which is a whole new thing to us and so bloomin' expensive! £99 from Marks for a suit (they do skinny fittings), £45 for three shirts plus still needs new shoes and a spare suit and ties. Looking in the second hand shops for ties and he can use his old school shirts still. He looked so smart though which made me a bit teary.

He went out with friends today and came home questioning his AS choice (Biology). Not sure he wants to do this now - thinking of either Economics or German instead. Reminded him he hated German! He thinks it might be useful in the future as he's interested in engineering and thinking ahead to possible placements.

I'm getting slightly nervous about Thursday but trying not to think too much about it. Didn't realise cash for grades was a thing. Hope no-one tells Ds!

DD also has to wear business wear. She had
to for the induction days so we bought a suit jacket and trousers then and have since got another jacket she can wear with trousers she already owns.
I can see us buying more clothes once term starts.

@NancyJoan i have also been stung for a lovely planner by DD - it is very nice though 😃

Mine is going to college largely because there is no dress code. She’s tiny (size 4/6) but her bust is 30G. She is over trying to hide her figure and just wants to be comfortable.
dd came out of every exam reasonably happy but has now talked herself down to barely knowing anything and being lucky to pass. I’m a wreck but trying to keep it together! She has her college enrolment on results day (in a whole other town) so that will be fun.

Business wear for DS too...he has the Prom suit plus another & a couple of pairs of trousers from TK Maxx but we need to get some shirts & jumpers. This summer really has flown by.

Thanks for the link to the festivals thread @Rollergirl11 - will be relieved when we're through that

DS has finished the bridging work for two of the four subjects. He'll finish the third over the next two days, leaving one until next week.

No uniform for our school sixth form thankfully - I don't know of any Post 16 local to us that have to wear a uniform. It's the first year in nearly 20 years I haven't needed to buy uniform!

It’s a stressful time. DD did really well in all the mocks but by the time the real exams came she was so exhausted with it all. Really hoping her results reflect what she is capable of.

What is all this about business wear for 6th form?? I've never heard of that.

Yes business wear for 6th form here too.
...because everyone in the world of work wears a suit everyday. Obviously. Especially those in practical jobs...

Are these private schools or something? Surely universities don't have kids wearing business wear so why 6th form?

I don't actually know anyone who wears a suit to work!

Some 6th forms that are part of schools have suits for 6th form. So still smart like the rest of the school, but no school uniform.