Year 11 22/23 support thread.

[PritiPatelsMaker]

Does anyone fancy a support thread for the just about to start Year 11's.

I'm not Mystic Meg but even I can see a rocky year ahead of me...

Anyone fancy joining me?

Anyone else know what happens during exams for their DC? I assumed my daughter would be home outside exam times however she has just told me that they are expected in school all day unless they don't have an exam in the afternoon or the next morning (when they can go home after lunch) which is zero days I think! The school run targeted revision sessions for the exams the following day....

It depends on the school. Some send them on study leave and they only go in for exams. Ours are in all the time, when they are not doing exams they are doing structured revision sessions with the teachers.

I think since Covid the norm is to be in school.

Varies hugely. "Study leave" at home for mine!

I guess I can see the benefit for those that won't study at home or are borderline but I was surprised!

She had said Jo study leave previously but I assumed that meant prior to exams.

Year before dd1 did her exams (so 7 years ago) that year was told their behaviour was too poor for study leave and so they didn't get it.
I said to dd1 at the time that they'd probably find results improved and then decide to stop study leave from then on, which is exactly what happened. It was a pity for dd1 who would have worked better at hone, but for d's it at least means he'll have done some work before the exams.

DD is at home but they are also running revision sessions for anyone who wants to attend.

I have no idea what my DDs school are doing 🙄their communication is appalling I guess they may tell us after Easter!

We haven't been told either. I assumed they would finish school a week or so before the exam period, which is what I think we had, but it doesn't seem to happen any more. Just checked my daughter's timetable and she has only 3 days in the 4 weeks where there is no exam. It's a lot, isn't it?

I got a shock at how many days ds has at least one exam. I naively thought there would be more breaks in between.

His go on into 5 weeks as well.

Yes I agree it does seem rather relentless for them my DD has one day clear I think on each week and 2 exams on a couple of days. Her last one is Dance on the 20th June then hopefully their prom on the following week, but school haven’t confirmed the date yet!

DD has one day study leave before exams start, she's not happy as last year they had 3 full weeks off

Hopefully the revision has started in earnest now, she has averaged 6/7 in most subjects throughout the year (with very little work...) but she knows she needs 7/8 to get in to sixth form. We shall see!

No study leave here there hasn't been for at least 5 years. Apparently government attendance rules have changed making it less easy to give according to teacher friends. DS stopped after 1 week after half term 5yrs ago . I still remember ringing his head of year and telling her either they allowed him to study in the library the morning before his tech.exam or I was keeping him at home. He wasn't doing a morning of geography revision untill 20 minutes pre exam!

How much revision are your DC doing at this stage? Mine seems a bit overwhelmed by it and veers between doing nothing and spending the whole day at her desk. It's hard to work out from her friends what they are really doing as everyone lies a bit, I think. After a couple of days fed up that she spent at her desk, I have said it would be better to do 2 hours in the morning, go out for a bit, 2 hours in the afternoon, have dinner and watch sime TV, then another hour or so in the evening. This seems like a lot to me and I think breaks are necessary, but DD thinks she can fit more in. She has probably worked on 4 or 5 days of the holiday so far and will do another 2 at least.

DS is probably only doing an hour a day but has been into school most days of the holidays for half day revision sessions.

That's good they have put that on. 2 of my DD's days included school revision sessions. One was 1.5 hours and one was 3 hours. She seemed to get a lot out of it, and quite enjoyed being the only ones in school when it was more relaxed. Very good of the teachers too!

DS has been in school every day for two hours and a couple for 4. All the teachers are doing the sessions voluntarily. He's then doing a couple more hours at home though how productive they are I'm not sure.

It's somewhat reassuring to read that DD is not the only one who is struggling with their revision plan, although sad at the same time. She spent at least 3 days making a timetable (meaning no revision during those 3 days...) only for the timetable to go out the window on day 5! She doesnt return to school until the end of next week so is trying to plod along, but I will be happier when she is back in school (and out of her bed...) with more structure as her mental health dips without the structure.

Good luck to all!

How much revision are your DC doing at this stage?

My son's doing 6 hours a day (using one of those work/break timer apps). That said, there seems to be a lot of breaks and permanent use of headphones for no apparent reason...

DD is doing a couple of hours a day. I do actually want her to have a rest as she's very tired and I don't think wearing herself out is going to help with anything!

@WhatIsFairForAll that sounds a lot like I was with my revision timetable! All beautifully laid-out and colour coded. I can still picture it now. I didn't stick to it at all!

My DD had a plan, then got sick last week so did virtual nothing and this week is away with her sports team so very little opportunity to do anything this week 🤷🏻‍♀️ she can only do what she can but balance it with life I think is just as important.

4/5 hours a day with plenty of breaks. He's had a couple of days off over the holidays where he has just relaxed and seen friends etc.

I agree there needs to be a balance, in fact we are off for a theatre weekend in a couple of days. DD is insisting to revise on the train but I think that'll soon be forgotten