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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

GCSE Supporting - first week nearly over

997 replies

overthehillswegoo · 18/05/2023 22:42

New thread

OP posts:
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13
bendmeoverbackwards · 18/05/2023 22:46

Thanks for the new thread @overthehillswegoo Good luck to all our dc for Maths tomorrow.

SheilaFentiman · 18/05/2023 22:47

Thanks OP!

Good luck to all for maths, and comp sci, and ancient history!

Hellocatshome · 18/05/2023 22:52

Just place marking for when I am panicking about DSs maths tomorrow. He only needs 4s for everything else but needs a 5 in maths to do the engineering apprenticeship he has applied for. Like a previous poster said 4s and possibly 5s is the maximum DS will realistically achieve so even though these wouldn't be good grades for some they are for DS so the stress is the same.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 18/05/2023 22:55

Are all exam boards having their first maths paper tomorrow?

our school uses WJEC. DS is a bit of a maths whizz but he’s sitting it at 14 in year 10 so he is a bit nervous.

good luck to them all

SheilaFentiman · 18/05/2023 22:56

yes, I think they all do maths tomorrow

CalmConfident · 18/05/2023 22:57

Joining in so I can stop boring other people w
ith exam chat. DS found History today was tough but it’s his weakest subject…friends were fairly upbeat about it

SheilaFentiman · 18/05/2023 23:06

Tried to send mine to bed but he decided now was the time for a shower

caringcarer · 18/05/2023 23:18

My D's is resitting Maths. He is doing really well on his course at college but missed getting Maths last year, so has had to study it for the whole year. I really hope he passes it this time.

jamimmi · 18/05/2023 23:23

Definitely all doing maths tomorrow. Hope they all do well. Just place marking so I don't loose u. Can't stress to DD and DH & Ds ignoring the whole thing.

kidstaxidriver · 19/05/2023 04:40

Thanks for setting up new thread! Woke up early still cursing the IGSE Biology paper and wondering if he even passed it! Fingers crossed to everyone got maths today!

Beccaboo822 · 19/05/2023 04:50

Nervous about Maths. The school wanted to move him down to foundation last year but my son fought to keep himself in higher. He got a 4 in last mock on higher so really borderline. The thing is he's good at Maths in the context of science and does really well in those.

Beccaboo822 · 19/05/2023 04:55

Oh and because I can't sleep I looked at the GCSE thread from 2022 and there were a few children on there that were predicted 8s and 9s in English and got 5s. My ds predicted 4s in English so now I'm thinking is it almost impossible to pass unless you're very clever..I'd assume it would be in reach for the average person. I'm over thinking now as I can't sleep!

kidstaxidriver · 19/05/2023 04:55

This waking up early and worrying is hopeless but glad to see someone else is up! Good luck to your DS today!

Beccaboo822 · 19/05/2023 05:07

kidstaxidriver · 19/05/2023 04:55

This waking up early and worrying is hopeless but glad to see someone else is up! Good luck to your DS today!

I know....
And my ds is laid back about it all and he's has such a tough time with his mental health and has been having help with camhs so I'm just so proud he's managing all. It's just not having English and Maths will mean very limited options going on.

kidstaxidriver · 19/05/2023 05:16

If it doesn’t quite work out there’s always a plan B and if needs be a resit. I know not ideal for many so feel bad suggesting it, but it honestly feels like many are just sitting these exams a little early with Covid and are just not quite as well prepared or robust. Well that’s my perception anyhow. Did you ever see my Ben Fogle quote - will try to repost it, as I regularly try to revisit it when I’m worried - doesn’t always work though!! IGCSE Bio still playing havoc with my sleep!!

Beccaboo822 · 19/05/2023 05:26

kidstaxidriver · 19/05/2023 05:17

It's so so true!
My ds has it in his brain, every teacher has said he's clever but he finds it harder to get it down on paper. He's got a massive passion for plants, Biology is his strongest subject and he loves plant science. His ideal job would be to work at somewhere like Kew Gardens nurturing the rare plants and seeds!

kidstaxidriver · 19/05/2023 05:30

Well we needed him for the IGCSE Bio where there was apparently a question on growing seeds! He would have been perfect! Hope his maths goes well. Might have to start the caffeine intake early today………

christmastreefarm · 19/05/2023 05:37

My daughter is insisting in waking at 5.30 so she can shower and do some revising at 6.

I'm going to be very tired by the end of this.

ReformedWaywardTeen · 19/05/2023 05:38

Hellocatshome · 18/05/2023 22:52

Just place marking for when I am panicking about DSs maths tomorrow. He only needs 4s for everything else but needs a 5 in maths to do the engineering apprenticeship he has applied for. Like a previous poster said 4s and possibly 5s is the maximum DS will realistically achieve so even though these wouldn't be good grades for some they are for DS so the stress is the same.

DD needs a 4 too. Maths is their worst subject and always has been
School also said it's now a requirement to continue into full sixth to get a 4 in both English and maths. Not from the school but education department. They can resist in January and June next year but can't do A'Level or higher level Btec without 4s in those. They would have to do level 2 Btecs in Leisure and Tourism and Business as that's all school offers, which is nothing to do with what they want to pursue.

So the pressure is very much on.

Apparently the History Crime and Punishment yesterday was awful. They know they cocked a high mark question up and were very upset last night after being OK after exams the rest of the week.

Can't wait for them to be over and results to come.

lalalalalalaleeee · 19/05/2023 05:39

Can I join?
Not going too badly here, business was tough yesterday for him but that's down to a lack of teaching

kidstaxidriver · 19/05/2023 05:47

The more the merrier! Welcome - especially at this time! Trying to tiptoe around so as not to wake the kids - lack of sleep definitely won’t help their reading of the questions. I don’t how many times I’ve asked them to circle or underline command / key words….. so difficult to go with the ‘what will be, will be” mentality at times! We will have a double whammy here of collecting results with A levels too……. Just want that whole ‘collecting results’ bit to be over!

TeenDivided · 19/05/2023 05:51

4.30pm yesterday, after a couple of interventions over the week from her social worker and a lot of patience from me, DD (18) agreed to sit the maths today.

Praying that this morning she won't have changed her mind. Please.

kidstaxidriver · 19/05/2023 05:53

Best of luck, wishing them well and hope they get there - sending you and your daughter positive vibes

Beccaboo822 · 19/05/2023 06:02

kidstaxidriver · 19/05/2023 05:30

Well we needed him for the IGCSE Bio where there was apparently a question on growing seeds! He would have been perfect! Hope his maths goes well. Might have to start the caffeine intake early today………

Ahh, yes perfect question for him. He did the AQA one.