GCSE supporting - to half term, and beyond!

[SheilaFentiman]

Making a new thread to support half term revision and the set of GCSEs afterwards!

@HappiDaze he's had people bending over backwards trying to help him. I wouldn't give a damn if he tried but failed. But he hasn't tried. And he shrugs it off. Yet he will moan when he can't get into his desired 6th form for his desired subjects. Obviously he'll have to learn the hard way. Or maybe he won't ever learn at all.

Stacees was mentioned on radio4 'you and yours' last week re looking like a UK company with a .UK website but actually being China or somewhere, and fit/quality not being up to scratch and issue with returns. Anything bespoke is harder to return if not suitable.

I totally get your frustration but I don't think that message is a good idea. I think it'll just add to the atmosphere and drive a bigger wedge between you. Do you think he'll scrape enough grades for A-levels? That's all he needs to do (if A-levels are his plan). I did nothing for my GCSEs but just made it to A-levels and then I finally got my act together. It was a maturity thing I think. My DD procrastinates hugely so you do have my sympathy.

@LighthouseCat he is likely to fail Eng Lang which he needs for anything/ everything. Has a tutor etc. Just asking him to do - I dunno - an hour a day for the next 8 days to practise the skills. But no! Silly boy.

Lovely thread

DD doing Drama, Art, History, Media, combined science, foundation maths and English lit and Language.

We have had a massive wobble today. I have said no revision until Tuesday for a break but they got very teary as the next two maths exams are coming

Maths has always been an issue, to the point I asked school to investigate Dyscalculia (as I have this). They require a 4 or they won't be able to begin full A'levels and must resit in January and then June if not passing in January. I'm told this is a government requirement, not just a school one but I fail to see why she can't potentially resit whilst doing her A'Level choices (drama, media and BTEC Business)? If they have to do this they will only be able to do what school offers as a placemarker during maths resits of level 2 Btecs in Leisure and Tourism, and IT which does not interest DD.

As a result they are feeling the pressure immensely. So she's been in tears and given herself stomach ache.

I hate maths myself and truly suck at it but I've offered to do bitesize with her from Tuesday.

For the record, her wonderful maths teacher said she believes a 4 is achievable, even a 5 (the highest grade possible with Foundation maths) and she got a 3 for mocks. But it's her kryptonite.

10 down for DD, 12 to go. She's taking a complete break from revision for a few days, just chilling, seeing friends and the odd dog walk. Back to revision on Tuesday.
I was really surprised she even wanted to go to prom, she's not your typical teen in socialising and definitely happier in joggers than dresses. But she wants to go, so we had a trip into London last month dress shopping. Spent more than I wanted but she fell in love with a beautiful dress (that I wouldn't have thought she'd like in a million years). No shoes or accessories yet, she can get those once the exams are finished x

Ah I have found you. With her usualy impeccable timing DSs girlfriend has dumped him so he is now not only feeling overwhelmed by all the exams he still has left after half term where most days are double headers he is also heartbroken.

Prom on the 21st here, I bought ds a suit on Vinted a couple of months ago. It was a bit long in the leg but now fits so I hope he doesn't grow too much in the next few weeks! Dropped it off at the dry cleaners yesterday to collect on Wednesday. Shoes, shirt and belt also bought and he already has cuff links and a tie (dh's wedding ones which he asked to wear). We've bought him a nice watch to wear with it as a well done for making it through the exams too which we will give him on the day

Thank you for all the prom dress info. Dd is very difficult/fussy and I’m wary of buying from the likes of Stacees or JJ’s as I’ve heard it’s difficult to send them back if needed.

Have been to a couple of local shops with dd, dresses were hugely expensive and she didn’t even find one she loved. I had wanted to get the dress well before exams but here we are half way through and still no dress. I know what she’s looking for and actually found a beautiful dress from Shein of all places. But for some reason she had a tantrum over it. So fed up with this bloody prom business.

@DarkChocHolic similar issues here. Dd is quite curvy and got upset in one shop when I couldn’t do the dresses up. The Shein one I ordered is perfect and has a lace up back which gives a perfect fit. I’m hoping she’ll come round to the idea.

I do feel for the curvy girls and prom dresses, I was very busty / hippy as a young teen. It’s hard enough finding clothes at my age that fit let alone teen stuff. My oldest is the opposite she’s so petite even a size 4-6 I need to adjust it to fit her. Her latest joggers were sized age 12! Luckily the dress has a lace up back so we can pull it in to fit better but I’ve got to take several inches off the bottom hem as well but don’t want to do it until she’s found the shoes she wants to wear.

Any chance bribery might help? Not ideal I know but needs must! English lang is our weakest too

@LighthouseCat - I've tried absolutely everything. Bribery. Threats. Pleading. Begging. Reasoning. Cajoling. Tutor. Meetings at school. Many, many hours of late-night Googling and Mumsnetting to get ideas of how to help him (as school largely not helpful). Purchase of various books etc etc.

But no! Stubborn to the very end of time.

DD has two events. A dinner/ disco organised by the school and the prom which the parents organise. So two dresses needed. She has gone long for prom and short for the dinner. Both are from ever pretty and are really good quality. They have a little bit of stretch to the material so really flattering. Dd is 5’11 barefoot so is wearing low block healed sparky sandals so that the dresses won’t look too short on her.

Yes that's why I was a bit worried but it turned out ok so I was relieved about that

I did resign myself to the fact that I couldn't send it back but I'd ordered the bespoke size anyway so I wouldn't have been able to return it.

DS art teacher has said they've made it a lot harder to get a high grade this year. It's such a shame as it was the one gcse that my son could have got a high grade in.

DD has completely refused to attend Prom.
In their case, they are goth, they don't wear make up or dresses. They spend 99% of the time including school in Doc Martens and a beanie hat.

I had found them a vintage two tone suit to wear. Even had an offer from a mate with a Harley Davidson to turn up on the back of.

Nope

Apparently it will be "their worst nightmare" "all the chavvy girls in stupid outfits showing off and attention seeking" and she "pretty much hates school between 8.30 and 3 so why would I go when I have left for summer after school hours". Oh and they clearly won't play Slipknot, it will apparently be "TikTok tune nightmares".

I'm gutted! We never even had a leavers assembly at my school! They're only going to that because it's mandatory.

We got dresses for both my DDs from ebay.
For DD1 it was a more adult bridesmaids, but when being shortened we got it blinged up too.
For DD2 it was a proper 'prom dress' with slightly puffed out skirt and sparkly bits, which needed to lose 6-8 inches as she is so short. She never got to wear it as was '21 cohort and prom didn't go ahead.
Even with alterations they came in at under £100 each.
Might be a bit late for alterations now though I guess.

@filchards You know your own child best. But are you sure it is stubbornness not freezing / flight in the thought of failure or just jot being able to do it? When my DD2 digs her heels in it is usually because she is scared but can't verbalise it.

Failing Eng Lang isn't the end of the world. As you(?) said they can do a (possibly boring) L2 course alongside resitting. Then move to A levels a year later. He may find more choice a L2 subjects at a local college.

DD got a dress from Monsoon's outlet store (£49) teamed with white platform DMs. She rocks that look (and is absolutely not the type to ever wear a dress).

My DD was going to prom but has changed her mind now. I can't tempt her so leaving her be. She has just got a new job to start after exams only part time so she is excited about that to be honest she just wants to get out of school and start on the next chapter.
She has some nice mates at school so I know she could go to prom with them but she's happy not having to go so all is well.
We are having a break until Tuesday on revision too.

DD is going out with friends today and has said she'll be back to revision tomorrow. It must be hard after the intensity of the first two weeks to resist just relaxing and get back into revision mode. The lovely weather doesn't help.

Do you have a plan b - because we've had similar frustrations with DD1 -and it has helped to know what the options are - DSis has found similar with DN.

They know what is needed for preferred path but if not everyone is aware of plan b or even plan c options.

I would as other's have said try and avoid adding to the pressure at minute and not send messages like that - maybe wait till after exams to talk though alternative options if he doesn't get the marks.

DS is doing some revision today with usual amount of reluctance to settle to starting- DD1 is finding many distractions but college is putting revision session on this week which she plans to attend so hopefully will come back a bit more enthused and directed.

Thank you very much for this thread.