Page 4 | 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.......

sproutsandparsnips · 14/01/2023 22:26

DS is in the middle of mocks and actual GCSEs too.
Like Muchtoomuchtodo we are in Wales and DS also sat English lit paper on weds, although he is year 11! He did English Lang last year in Y10.
He sat Maths in November and had results on Thursday - did well (good job as he hopes to do it for A Level).
They did one paper each of biology, chemistry and Physics last year, and one history paper. He did his Welsh oral last year but has the rest this year.
Also like Muchtoomuchtodo's DS he has science practicals the week after next.
Honestly, I think he is being too laid back. I wish he could be more driven and focused like some on this thread, but he did pull it out of the bag last year and got great results so hoping he'll do the same now. He does work but not to the exclusion of everything.

Bobbinsbop · 15/01/2023 00:44

Hi can I join you all. Dd really struggles with school and has a learning difficulty that means she will have extra time in exams. Her mock results were better than expected with some 3’s and 2’s. There were a couple of 1s but they were in subjects that won’t make a difference to the next step in education.

Trying to encourage and motivate her without overdoing it and putting her off is a fine line!

The biggest stress in our house is what she wants to do after exams. Dd doesn’t have a clue and options will be more limited for her.
She doesn’t see the point of doing something she might not want to get a job in which I completely understand but also she has to pick something!

mumonthehill · 15/01/2023 08:03

Ds said yesterday that they have only completed half of the geography course which is a bit worrying, but also said that they are going to be given advanced info on what will not be on the paper. Lets hope most of that is what they have not learnt yet! He said this might also happen for RS. Not sure how helpful that info will be as it depends when they are told it.

Hellocatshome · 15/01/2023 08:08

mumonthehill · 15/01/2023 08:03

Ds said yesterday that they have only completed half of the geography course which is a bit worrying, but also said that they are going to be given advanced info on what will not be on the paper. Lets hope most of that is what they have not learnt yet! He said this might also happen for RS. Not sure how helpful that info will be as it depends when they are told it.

I would check that with the teachers as we have been told there won't be any advance warning on what will be on the papers this year.

mumonthehill · 15/01/2023 08:12

@Hellocatshome I am taking all info with a slight pinch of salt, but this came from the head of geography. Will certainly be checking at parents evening. We had some advance info for RS last year but it actually was not that helpful.

pinkflop · 15/01/2023 09:22

What to do after exams is also a big issue with my son @Bobbinsbop. He doesn't have a clue. He has a physical difficulty that needs to be taken into consideration so that excludes some of the BTEC options (he's no desire to do a levels!). He feels pressured but he needs to pick something soon!

Hellocatshome · 18/01/2023 21:15

Does anyone know what happens if their DC has 2 exams at exactly the same time. We have had the draft exam calendar through and DS is supposed to be doing Geography and Engineering at the same time so how does that work?!

Muchtoomuchtodo · 18/01/2023 22:07

School will make arrangements for him to do one later in the day and be supervised inbetween.

Nomorescreentime · 19/01/2023 21:19

Good evening all, checking in as I have my eldest in year 11 and the urge to just get in there and try and sit the exams myself is strong 🤣 it’s harder watching her go through it than when I was going through it myself!

We are also in Wales, I don’t suppose anyone has heard how the teacher strikes will affect the science practicals? I’m sure one is the 1st Feb.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 19/01/2023 21:58

We’ve not heard anything about the strikes yet. I’m selfishly hoping that not many teachers are in this union so that the science practicals aren’t disrupted.

sproutsandparsnips · 19/01/2023 22:58

Nomorescreentime DS had had his science practicals this week (WJEC) so I imagine the date can be altered as suits the school.

Whycanineverever · 20/01/2023 08:33

The strikes are the same week as the real food tech practicals in my DD school. Hers is the Monday which isn't a strike day but I know they go on for the rest of the week.

LighthouseCat · 20/01/2023 11:56

DD gets her mock results today. If they are good, I'll try to chill out more about the lack of revision. If they are not good I'm really hoping DD will take that onboard and realise that she's going to need to get organised.

spiderlight · 20/01/2023 12:05

I don't think the science practicals are on the same dates everywhere - we're in wales too and my DS did his physics and chemistry ones on Tuesday and has biology on the 27th.

Just got his report through the post - all good except a predicted C for English Language, so he needs to focus on that now. He absolutely hates English though. He can't write long answers and he can't write fast enough to get enough detail down. Says his hand hurts, but won't blooming well practice to build up his muscle strength. It's been an ongoing issue since Y2! 🙄

mumonthehill · 20/01/2023 15:30

In wales and just had email that the science practicals are on the 1st and 14th feb.

Whycanineverever · 20/01/2023 16:56

Argh - so my daughters English teacher is leaving in 2 weeks. Right before mocks. Her strongest subject and the one she wants to do for a level / degree.

LighthouseCat · 22/01/2023 18:35

Whycanineverever · 20/01/2023 16:56

Argh - so my daughters English teacher is leaving in 2 weeks. Right before mocks. Her strongest subject and the one she wants to do for a level / degree.

That's really frustrating but I bet your DD already knows her stuff and will ace it. But I totally get your angst.

Whycanineverever · 22/01/2023 21:40

@LighthouseCat - she does to be fair but she lacks a bit of confidence in herself. She's just worried how that the new teacher won't know them and how they work coming in so soon before the exams. She told me their class has the highest scores for English (they aren't streamed)

Then again maybe a fresh eye will be good. My concern is just that they get a consistent teacher - I'm am sure the school will ensure that happens although I guess a lower year May suffer.

Princesspollyyy · 22/01/2023 21:54

Make sure you tell your son as long as he tries his best then that is great and he is doing amazingly well.

If he doesn't make the grades required it's really not the end of the world.

Madcats · 23/01/2023 17:53

Oh can I join you? DD is currently on week 2 of 2 for mocks. It has all be "FINE, Mum!".

The heating was broken in school hall last week so they abandoned "just like the real thing" experience (I suspect the invigilators complained) in favour of somewhere a bit warmer.

I've been fairly "hands off" when she has asked to go to study with friends, so we'll see how that approach worked. She's developed a desire to cook evening meals (which is great for me), which I suppose is better than fretting in her room.

Looking ahead to the "real thing" does anyone else's DC have weeks and weeks of exams? DD's first is on 9 May and the last is on 16 June! I suppose it gives her time to revise in between, but it will be hard to stay motivated.

pinkflop · 23/01/2023 20:08

@Madcats my son has 4 weeks of exams with a week for half term in the middle.

LighthouseCat · 23/01/2023 20:19

Yes, same here re exam schedule. They will be so exhausted (as will we!).

DD got her mock results. Got her target grades in all except geography which was lower. Next set of mocks is in three weeks. Zero revision so far but has said she might do some Physics tonight. I'm not holding my breath!

Hellocatshome · 23/01/2023 20:24

Agh I have just learned DS has Engineering BTEC exams next week. I didnt know they were sat at a different time to GCSEs. This still doesn't have seemed to put a rocket under DS though.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 23/01/2023 20:32

I have no idea what DC's exam table looks like. Her school aren't greatest at communicating. But we have parents evening on Thurs, which might help? She does Spanish, and I think the oral exam for that is supposed to be really early, but not sure exactly when.

Hellocatshome · 23/01/2023 20:35

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 23/01/2023 20:32

I have no idea what DC's exam table looks like. Her school aren't greatest at communicating. But we have parents evening on Thurs, which might help? She does Spanish, and I think the oral exam for that is supposed to be really early, but not sure exactly when.

Our exam timetable says Spanish oral exam to be confirmed but I cant remember what exam board that is.