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Secondary education

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Original poster

Anyone up for a GCSE handholding thread?

1000 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 08/01/2023 14:26

DS2 has his GCSEs in June. He had mocks in November and more (why??) next month.
He needs to get 5 6s to stay at his current school (IB, not overly keen) or to transfer to another local 6th form.
He said he’s going to start revising this week......
Think his school will be helping him devise a revision timetable this week. I’ve bought him flashcards, he just needs to knuckle down now.......

OP posts:
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SheilaFentiman · 01/05/2023 22:43

I am currently sitting in the room next to his with both doors open so I hear if he goes on the internet. I wish he’d told me a few hours ago at least!

NoKnickerElastic · 01/05/2023 22:57

Just joined this thread for moral support! Reassuring to read many of these posts. DD perfectly capable of grade 7/8s in most subjects doing pretty much nothing outside of school in terms of revision. Any encouragement from us pushes her to do even less. Pretty sure she'll walk out with a handful of 4/5/6s which does not get her where she says she is determined to go. Will definitely be glad when it's over!

bendmeoverbackwards · 02/05/2023 07:20

Welcome @NoKnickerElastic It’s so frustrating isn’t it? If it’s any consolation, my oldest dd (now 22) says she barely did any revision for GCSEs and came out with As, Bs and a few A*s.

blue23blue · 02/05/2023 07:41

My DD is doing ok in maths and English but science and history are a struggle. I've tried everything in terms of 'encouraging' her to revise including nagging and leaving her to it. We've sort of settled in the middle. I can't wait till it's over tbh!

Her prom is a big deal with expensive dresses and tickets! No subsidies and have to have good behaviour/attendance in the run up. Slightly upsetting to spend so much on a dress for a few hours but what can you do!!

NoKnickerElastic · 02/05/2023 08:23

Thank you for your message. Sadly I don't think this will be my DD! She has set the bar very low for herself. As she keeps reminding me though they're her exams not mine!

TeenDivided · 02/05/2023 08:25

@NoKnickerElastic What is she hoping to do next? I always worry a bit about students who do little work but scrape enough for A levels as it seems 50-50 whether they continue the no work approach or buckle down.

mumonthehill · 02/05/2023 08:26

ds had a bit of a panic last night when he realised that we were now in May!!! A number of his friends in set 1 maths have dropped down a paper but he is sticking with higher. We booked a holiday around the date for prom but they then moved it so we are away. It is a shame as his school do not have a 6th form so it would have bern the last time they are all together.

NoKnickerElastic · 02/05/2023 09:52

TeenDivided · 02/05/2023 08:25

@NoKnickerElastic What is she hoping to do next? I always worry a bit about students who do little work but scrape enough for A levels as it seems 50-50 whether they continue the no work approach or buckle down.

She's determined to do A levels at quite a pressured 6th form and will not consider anything else. She may have to on results day. We'll just be there for her whatever happens but it's really frustrating seeing her potential wasted, but it won't be the end of the world.

overthehillswegoo · 02/05/2023 11:12

Those of you with DDs requiring expensive prom dresses, can I ask how much you've spent on them? It is crazy isn't it!

Hersetta427 · 02/05/2023 11:17

Both my daughter's dresses are by ever Pretty. The long prom dress we managed to pick up new with tags on ebay. No one bid on it luckily so it ws £18 including postage. Her short dress for a formal dinner at a hotel we got from the ever pretty website and that was £30. No need to spend loads of money. I will try to add pics if I have them.

Beamur · 02/05/2023 11:20

DD didn't want the kind of dress that seems popular for prom. Luckily her friends are similar so are just going in nice dresses, nothing very expensive and will do their

Beamur · 02/05/2023 11:20

Own hair and makeup.

Hersetta427 · 02/05/2023 11:25

These are her two dresses - total cost £48. She doesn’t wear make up at all so no issues there. We did buy a pair of sparkly block healed sandals that go with both dresses but they were only £17 from shein.

Anyone up for a GCSE handholding thread?
Anyone up for a GCSE handholding thread?
overthehillswegoo · 02/05/2023 12:29

@Hersetta427 The black dress is lovely. What colour shoes will she wear?

Hersetta427 · 02/05/2023 12:48

She has these which will go with both as the black dress has a silver sparkle in the thread. She has never worn a pair of proper heels (she is a sporty girl) so these are not too high.

Anyone up for a GCSE handholding thread?
TeenDivided · 02/05/2023 12:51

As well as heels my DD1 also had a pair of fold up ballet flats in her bag.
At the end of the evening a lot of the girls were in bare feet, but she had her flats on and was very appreciative of them.
(My DD2 was y11 in '21 and their prom was cancelled.)

WinterMermaid234 · 02/05/2023 14:09

Nice to see the dresses and heels, we managed to get a eBay dress too but still need to sort out shoes. She would like heels as naturally very short but we’re tried a few and none suited her. We will have to go shopping in HT I think.

Madcats · 02/05/2023 17:06

Good tip about folding ballet flats.

DD chose some very cheap chunky heeled sandals in Primark (think they were about £15) and tries to walk around the house in them once or twice a week. I doubt that they will be worn a second time as she favours DM's and trainers.

Whycanineverever · 02/05/2023 17:54

Madcats · 02/05/2023 17:06

Good tip about folding ballet flats.

DD chose some very cheap chunky heeled sandals in Primark (think they were about £15) and tries to walk around the house in them once or twice a week. I doubt that they will be worn a second time as she favours DM's and trainers.

My DD is a docs and trainers girl and I think she is planning on wearing docs with her dress. Hers was just over £100 from Bentalls.

blue23blue · 02/05/2023 20:50

overthehillswegoo · 02/05/2023 11:12

Those of you with DDs requiring expensive prom dresses, can I ask how much you've spent on them? It is crazy isn't it!

Over £300! It's ridiculous, I know it is I feel mad typing it but that's what they've all spent 🙈

blue23blue · 02/05/2023 21:10

And to be fair it's her birthday present as well. But even so! I get most of my clothes in tesco!

overthehillswegoo · 02/05/2023 21:43

@blue23blue crazy isn't it. Would she sell it next year? I've seen so many girls selling prom dresses this year, and to be fair new ones usually need some form of alteration anyway, that I guess there's a market for preloved dresses that can be altered

BonjourCrisette · 02/05/2023 22:45

I can't help feeling really glad that DD's barbecue doesn't have a dress code! I am guessing she will wear either one of her usual party dresses or jeans and a nice top. And docs. Always docs!

SilverGlitterBaubles · 03/05/2023 06:54

DD got a new with tags prom dress on Vinted for £11, so just shoes and bag and then we are done. I think we were lucky to find the right one but there are lots on there it is worth looking.

Rowgtfc72 · 03/05/2023 20:19

Dds prom dress was £166. Worth every penny. She is stunning- and lives in baggy joggers and fleeces. She chose it, I ordered it, and cried when she tried it on. She's 6ft tall with long wavy auburn hair and this dress is just her. She'll be wearing it with her green platform converse she got for Christmas.
A lot of her friends have spent six or seven hundred on their dresses.

On a brighter note she put her cv round the local car dealerships at the weekend. She got a reply today from a lady she spoke to to offer her an interview for an apprenticeship. She would like to be an F1 mechanic eventually but has a place on a motor vehicle Maintenance course in Sept.
Proud parent moment. ( we just need that English grade 4)

Anyone up for a GCSE handholding thread?
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