Page 21 | Anyone up for a GCSE handholding thread?

BaconAndAvocado · 2023-01-08T14:26:37+00:00

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.......

jamimmi · 11/05/2023 22:37

We've been going walking too @ColouringPencils my daughter sounds like yours I've just sent her to bed to read a book. Her DB home form uni has provided 5 mugs of tea tonight she says, haveing him about is helping as they are close. I'm making her go to dance o Saturday and have Friday night.off with film and snacks!

Homeworkhell82 · 12/05/2023 08:43

Anyone else's child utterly exhausted before they've even barely started the exams. Really struggled to get my child out of bed today.

BonjourCrisette · 12/05/2023 09:18

DD is having a lie in today and reading a book in bed. She is shattered.

onlytuesday · 12/05/2023 12:23

Just jumping on this thread for some advice! My daughter has been so anxious this past week she's been having panic attacks every morning. She's missed a day of school on Tuesday and actually worked more effectively at home. This morning she had a complete meltdown, I took her in to school at 10.30 once she'd calmed down but there was no one from her year available to talk to so I'm awaiting a callback.

Does anyone have any experience with special considerations, because if this happens next week it's going to affect her grades. Do you need a GP note to be awarded it or does the school decide?

TeenDivided · 12/05/2023 12:32

onlytuesday · 12/05/2023 12:23

Just jumping on this thread for some advice! My daughter has been so anxious this past week she's been having panic attacks every morning. She's missed a day of school on Tuesday and actually worked more effectively at home. This morning she had a complete meltdown, I took her in to school at 10.30 once she'd calmed down but there was no one from her year available to talk to so I'm awaiting a callback.

Does anyone have any experience with special considerations, because if this happens next week it's going to affect her grades. Do you need a GP note to be awarded it or does the school decide?

I can't advise on special consideration. I suspect that as it is just exam stress and not an ongoing condition she wouldn't get anything, but I may be wrong. My DD has diagnosed debilitating GAD and she gets a small room but nothing extra. (Well she does get extra time but not for the anxiety iyswim).

But it is entirely normal to get anxious or even a over anxious for exams. The best thing you can do is make sure she does enough relaxation, fresh air, exercise and sleep. Keep talking to her about how hard she has worked, it will be enough etc etc. Try Rescue Remedy too.

Changes17 · 12/05/2023 12:33

@onlytuesday Is this specifically related to exams and not an existing issue? If so and if she did ok in her mocks I’d suggest taking it easy over the weekend and not worrying about revising. There’s a physical limit to what she can do - maybe she needs to get a bit of distance. I’m telling ds it’s better to be well rested at this point than studying into the night.

TeenDivided · 12/05/2023 12:34

(Just to clarify my DD is y13 and missed all y11 and is sitting 1 GCSE this time around.)

onlytuesday · 12/05/2023 12:35

She has had problems with anxiety and panic in the past but she did ok in her mocks and generally had managed exams well. She's getting stressed because it's getting near and the teachers are doing everything that triggers her- I get that for some kids a bit of fear is motivating but for her it is not at all helpful. Once she's anxious she stresses about being anxious and worried she'll pass out or be sick and it becomes a vicious cycle

overthehillswegoo · 12/05/2023 12:37

blue23blue · 10/05/2023 16:40

It's getting very close now isn't it! Feel like I'm sitting mine tbh don't remember even being nervous when I actually did, more nervous now 😂

I also don't remember my parents being as involved as this! 😁

TeenDivided · 12/05/2023 12:39

onlytuesday · 12/05/2023 12:35

She has had problems with anxiety and panic in the past but she did ok in her mocks and generally had managed exams well. She's getting stressed because it's getting near and the teachers are doing everything that triggers her- I get that for some kids a bit of fear is motivating but for her it is not at all helpful. Once she's anxious she stresses about being anxious and worried she'll pass out or be sick and it becomes a vicious cycle

If necessary pull her out of school for the exam period.
For most children being in school attending revision lessons helps.
For some children it doesn't.
When DD1 did GCSEs 8 years ago we pulled her out of most lessons once the exams started as she could revise better 1-1 with me than at school. No one complained because they knew she was hard working and I was supportive.

BonjourCrisette · 12/05/2023 12:41

onlytuesday · 12/05/2023 12:23

Just jumping on this thread for some advice! My daughter has been so anxious this past week she's been having panic attacks every morning. She's missed a day of school on Tuesday and actually worked more effectively at home. This morning she had a complete meltdown, I took her in to school at 10.30 once she'd calmed down but there was no one from her year available to talk to so I'm awaiting a callback.

Does anyone have any experience with special considerations, because if this happens next week it's going to affect her grades. Do you need a GP note to be awarded it or does the school decide?

DD can be very anxious at times and I really feel for you.

If she's working more effectively at home, can you get permission from school for her to continue doing this? Does she get to be at home once exams proper start? This may improve her mental state a bit - she will feel more in control if she can mostly plan her own time.

If that isn't possible, it is definitely worth booking a doctor's appointment. Firstly you could ask for a sick note so that she can stay off in between exams if the school won't allow this. And secondly, it is evidence in case things are bad next week and she needs to apply for any kind of special consideration (I don't know how this works but I'm guessing a doctor having seen her for the issue will be evidence that it was a real problem).

Changes17 · 12/05/2023 12:50

I think being at home sounds like a good thing if that’s possible. I’d ask whoever calls you back if this would be an option. Then you can keep it low-key and she can just go in for exams. I remember exam time as being a pretty anxious time and it’s easy for people to set each other off. So if she can just go in for exams, try not to chat too much with others and stay focused on what she’s there for. And take this weekend off as much as she’s willing to - she most probably knows enough already.

Changes17 · 12/05/2023 12:52

And as @BonjourCrisette mentioned, a doctors note if she continues to feel like this would be good evidence.

christmastreefarm · 12/05/2023 12:54

My daughters school does extra lessons on a Monday and Tuesday so they don't finish until 4.

They found out yesterday that these extra lessons will still go ahead even during exams. So she has school until 4 followed by 2 exams following today, she's not overly pleased. Teacher confirmed they knew her and her friends would study at home but they had to go with it due to the number that wouldn't.

TeenDivided · 12/05/2023 13:14

christmastreefarm · 12/05/2023 12:54

My daughters school does extra lessons on a Monday and Tuesday so they don't finish until 4.

They found out yesterday that these extra lessons will still go ahead even during exams. So she has school until 4 followed by 2 exams following today, she's not overly pleased. Teacher confirmed they knew her and her friends would study at home but they had to go with it due to the number that wouldn't.

What would schools really do if students stayed away / went home early?
I wouldn't be surprised if they turned a blind eye.

MimiGC · 12/05/2023 13:32

My daughter's school has said that they have to be in school for the full day once GCSEs start on Monday - up until the half term, after which they can study at home when they don't have actual exams. I really object to this. I know they will mostly be revising during lessons, but I feel my daughter would revise much better at home. There are a lot of disruptive pupils in school. I don't mind keeping her home and her attendance record going down, but I don't know how to arrange to get her out of the building...if an exam ends at 11am, I'd like her to leave and come home to revise for the next day, but how? She can't just walk out (gate is locked!)...

Infracat · 12/05/2023 14:26

MimiGC · 12/05/2023 13:32

My daughter's school has said that they have to be in school for the full day once GCSEs start on Monday - up until the half term, after which they can study at home when they don't have actual exams. I really object to this. I know they will mostly be revising during lessons, but I feel my daughter would revise much better at home. There are a lot of disruptive pupils in school. I don't mind keeping her home and her attendance record going down, but I don't know how to arrange to get her out of the building...if an exam ends at 11am, I'd like her to leave and come home to revise for the next day, but how? She can't just walk out (gate is locked!)...

These are my feelings exactly. I'd rather my son come home after his morning exam and revise for the following days exams, rather than sit in lessons that are totally irrelevant to the next days exams. He revises much better at home with me helping him. I too wonder how we can get them out once the morning exam is over. He has also said that there are a lot of disruptive lessons at school.

christmastreefarm · 12/05/2023 15:01

Well they have literally just emailed and said that although the extra lessons and revision sessions will continue until half term after that they will be allowed to come home at lunchtime if no afternoon exam.

onlytuesday · 12/05/2023 15:51

Thanks for the replies. I've spoken to school and they've said she doesn't have to come in for revision in between exams, it'll go as an unauthorised absence but they'd rather she was mentally ok than have her in school. I'm taking her to the GP later just so it's on her notes that she's been struggling should we need that later

Piony · 12/05/2023 16:38

That's good to hear @onlytuesday , I hope she feels a lot better with the pressure off a bit.

@MimiGC , @christmastreefarm that's a shame if they are insisting. Our school publicly takes a tough party line on staying in, but I know quite a few parents who have quietly agreed other arrangements with them.

mumonthehill · 12/05/2023 17:15

First one done!!! Was alright was all I got but taking that as a positive!

BonjourCrisette · 12/05/2023 17:36

Good news, @onlytuesday. Sounds like you are doing all the right things. I hope not having to go in makes your DD feel better.

@mumonthehill 'alright' sounds fine! Better than 'terrible'.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 12/05/2023 18:56

Our year 11 finished today - on the day of their first exam.

We have a year 10 ds who has 7 exams this summer. He also sat some in January and has more coming in November, next January and next summer. His big brother didn’t sit any in year 10 thanks to covid so he’s feeling very hard done by atm! It feels like a very long and drawn out process for him.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 13/05/2023 09:46

DD will be coming home to revise after exams, there is so much disruption at school and being around general exam hysteria while people analyse and are upset about how a paper has gone is not good.

Homeworkhell82 · 13/05/2023 09:51

What time is everyone's DC getting to school on the exam days. Think DC school are doing a breakfast club starting at 8.