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Secondary education

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Original poster

Y10- 2025/2026

283 replies

CouldNotStayAway · 18/08/2025 00:46

Hi all! Thought I’d start a new thread for the upcoming new academic year!

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ASongOfRiceAndPeas · 02/09/2026 16:49

Echobelly · 31/07/2026 18:22

The main issue is English. Even though he is bright and articulate, he can't seem to write a word - it's a not uncommon problem with ADHD.

He also really doesn't seem to grasp analysing a text at all - I watched a playback of one of his tutor session and he just can't understand how you can potentially write several sentences about the meaning of two lines of text. It was something that came quite naturally to me and I totally get it doesn't at all to a lot of kids, but it means I have no idea how to explain the concept to him.

I suppose the worst case scenario, which I can live with, is he does Functional Skills for English. Because the dumb thing is he got a 4 in History at the end of the year and a 6 in Psychology, which shows he can write more than functionally, but unfortunately he has to jump through the hoops of English to prove he can write

You’ve perfectly described how my son interprets (or doesn’t) text. He just can’t contextualise it into written thought, even though we have many long, intense and thoughtful discussions about life and current events. I feel awful when I read his written work and can’t afford tutoring.

Echobelly · 02/09/2026 16:54

ASongOfRiceAndPeas · 02/09/2026 16:49

You’ve perfectly described how my son interprets (or doesn’t) text. He just can’t contextualise it into written thought, even though we have many long, intense and thoughtful discussions about life and current events. I feel awful when I read his written work and can’t afford tutoring.

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I suspect he'll have to resit both his English tests from last term next week and the result will be exactly the same as then. 😥

ASongOfRiceAndPeas · 02/09/2026 17:37

Echobelly · 02/09/2026 16:54

I suspect he'll have to resit both his English tests from last term next week and the result will be exactly the same as then. 😥

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Can I ask why they’d make him resit? My son’s school just grades them and uses them for the summer report with predicted grades at the current level. They have tests every term but I guess now it will just be mocks they’re prepping for.

Echobelly · 02/09/2026 18:36

They make them redo maths and English if they're 2 grades or more below expectations. Oldest DC had to retake maths at the beginning of Y11 as their 'year to go' results were low

RunningKatie · 02/09/2026 20:31

Back to school tomorrow, we need to look at sixth forms and then mocks in November. It's all going on.
Had a big chat about starting making revision cards now, rather than Oct half term. Time will tell!

Echobelly · 02/09/2026 22:33

I've just booked one open day - we've been to one already that I think his heart is set on but want to look at one other 6th form college that offers the same course, and one school that careers adviser told us can offer BTech/A-level mix and may be prepared to be flexible about grades. It's unlikely he'll be interested, but just in case he has some change of heart/performance this year I think we ought to have a A-level option on the table. I think they are the only 3 we'll apply for.

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CouldNotStayAway · 05/09/2026 17:25

New thread for everyone to join

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