Page 38 | Y11 2025/26… come and join

ECT22 · 09/04/2026 18:50

We’ve had a bad day too. Dd had a medical appt in the morning and it seemed to throw off her whole day. She also, for the first time, kicked off about having to revise, as it was her weakest and most hated subject on the timetable. It makes me glad that there’s no study leave - I think for some kids, having to be self motivated at home is exhausting (for everyone in the house).

FlyingPandas · 09/04/2026 19:01

Sorry to hear about the stressful days. A less productive day here too, hoping to get back to it tomorrow.

@ECT22 I wish DS didn't get study leave - he's only back to school for 2 weeks and then they are off and that's it. I don't think this will be good for him at all. He will get some work done but it's incredibly socially isolating....DS is very happy chatting to friends in between lessons at school but won't necessarily have the confidence to arrange to see people outside of school. I'd love him to be in school until his last exam but we are where we are.

36and3 · 09/04/2026 19:11

@FlyingPandasstudy leave here too. Three weeks of school then last day of lessons is 1st May then that’s it.

whereonthestair · 09/04/2026 19:32

It seems like today was rubbish all round, maybe it’s the weather. DS did get a good 45 mins on poetry after I posted and is now swimming which is a happy place. So not a complete waste. But I am now working to catch up on what I missed to get us to this. and DH and I have agreed a different split of which of us helps with what.. tomorrow is as they say another day!

MabelsBeats · 09/04/2026 19:35

Another DC here who had a rubbish day, enormous stomach pain and was crying, she said she was trying and trying to get her French speaking answers into her head but no luck. I calmed her down, administered paracetamol and ibuprofen and suggested she just leave the French for today!

ECT22 · 09/04/2026 19:38

@MabelsBeats aw it eat exactly the same with my dd with Spanish speaking today. Total freaking out and saying she felt ‘incompetent’ 😢 When is your dd’s speaking exam?

ECT22 · 09/04/2026 19:42

FlyingPandas · 09/04/2026 19:01

Sorry to hear about the stressful days. A less productive day here too, hoping to get back to it tomorrow.

@ECT22 I wish DS didn't get study leave - he's only back to school for 2 weeks and then they are off and that's it. I don't think this will be good for him at all. He will get some work done but it's incredibly socially isolating....DS is very happy chatting to friends in between lessons at school but won't necessarily have the confidence to arrange to see people outside of school. I'd love him to be in school until his last exam but we are where we are.

That’s tough for your DS 😞

Sorry they’ve all had rubbish days. I think reality must be really biting now.
Even tho I’m a high school teacher, I did not anticipate how intense this would all be. It reminds me of having a newborn! I will certainly be putting a metaphorical arm around my Y11s when I am back at school.

FlyingPandas · 09/04/2026 20:00

I have an older DC but he was the Covid year who of course never got to sit their actual exams, so even though I've since supported him through A levels and degree course I've never had to do the intensive GCSE revision support before! So this all feels very new. Although I have worked with exam students for years (invigilator - different school to DS) so have seen that side of it and always try to strike the balance between setting clear expectations and sending calm, positive, supportive vibes across the exam room!

Littletreefrog · 09/04/2026 20:18

I'm sorry for all the kids who are struggling it really is a lot for them.

Unfortunately DS is currently under the Crisis Team for his mental health. He honestly doesn't believe exam stress is a factor but it surely cant be helping. In true DS style it's just incredibly bad timing. From initial contact with a psychiatrist it appears he may actually be Autistic which has come both out of the blue and makes perfect sense when you join the dots.

Anyway that means we have backed right of in terms of revision but he is actually still revising a few hours a day and strangely that seems to be when he is happiest.

I hope everyone's children come out of this unscathed and with the results they are hoping for.

MabelsBeats · 09/04/2026 20:20

Oh bless her @ECT22the speaking test is 30 April here, how about you? It’s so pressurised isn’t it, no time to think, they just need to blurt it all out as well as they can! Is your DD trying to do a little each day?

36and3 · 09/04/2026 20:30

DD’s speaking exam is 20th April… so so soon. She’s revising so well but then getting herself in an anxious muddle.

ShesRunningOutTheDoor · 09/04/2026 20:41

Littletreefrog · 09/04/2026 20:18

I'm sorry for all the kids who are struggling it really is a lot for them.

Unfortunately DS is currently under the Crisis Team for his mental health. He honestly doesn't believe exam stress is a factor but it surely cant be helping. In true DS style it's just incredibly bad timing. From initial contact with a psychiatrist it appears he may actually be Autistic which has come both out of the blue and makes perfect sense when you join the dots.

Anyway that means we have backed right of in terms of revision but he is actually still revising a few hours a day and strangely that seems to be when he is happiest.

I hope everyone's children come out of this unscathed and with the results they are hoping for.

Really sorry to hear this, I hope he is getting good care. Glad the revision is helping him

36and3 · 09/04/2026 20:45

Littletreefrog · 09/04/2026 20:18

I'm sorry for all the kids who are struggling it really is a lot for them.

Unfortunately DS is currently under the Crisis Team for his mental health. He honestly doesn't believe exam stress is a factor but it surely cant be helping. In true DS style it's just incredibly bad timing. From initial contact with a psychiatrist it appears he may actually be Autistic which has come both out of the blue and makes perfect sense when you join the dots.

Anyway that means we have backed right of in terms of revision but he is actually still revising a few hours a day and strangely that seems to be when he is happiest.

I hope everyone's children come out of this unscathed and with the results they are hoping for.

Gosh I’m so sorry. I really hope the school are being supportive and have offered options to reduce exam load if that’s helpful. Sending strength to you too x

FlyingPandas · 09/04/2026 21:21

Thinking of you and DS @Littletreefrog

waitingquietly · 09/04/2026 21:22

Hope DS gets the help he needs @Littletreefrog

eurotravel · 09/04/2026 21:49

@Littletreefrogits so tough when they ND as it’s a layer of pain on top of pain. We had an ok day today but yesterday DD wasted a lot of time avoiding two subjects she didn’t want to revise

ECT22 · 09/04/2026 22:31

@Littletreefrog thinking of you and your DS.

ECT22 · 09/04/2026 22:52

MabelsBeats · 09/04/2026 20:20

Oh bless her @ECT22the speaking test is 30 April here, how about you? It’s so pressurised isn’t it, no time to think, they just need to blurt it all out as well as they can! Is your DD trying to do a little each day?

Dd’s speaking exam is 23rd April. We’ve decided today that from now on she’ll do little and often for speaking revision, instead of big blocks. It’s just too stressful.

At my school (normal inner city comp) they sit Spanish GCSE in Y9 and get phenomenal results. I think it’s such a good idea. But alas, here we are 😬

eurotravel · 09/04/2026 23:14

@ECT22a trust near me do same. Language lessons daily all the way through Yr9 and extra study lessons and Easter sessions so naturally the pass rate is very high.
When I was at that age there was a thing about how many you took in the same year being a factor later. Not sure how that now applies

Tebheag · 10/04/2026 07:01

Sorry to hear about the kids having bad days.

DD has her last Easter revision session at school today most have been helpful some with different teachers which she said was good. Thankfully only morning session today and then weekend got to concentrate on Spanish speaking. I think it's on the 20th

Littletreefrog · 10/04/2026 07:18

Thank you for everyone's kind words. It's really been a shock just hoping we can get some support in place for starting college. His school have no sixth form and he has chosen a very big college in the nearest big city, I think with the hope of being fairly anonymous and not around the same people he goes to school with. Just got to get through the exams first though, one step at a time.

NotDarkGothicMama · 10/04/2026 08:27

I hope your DS recovers quickly. What a nightmare, poor him and poor you.

Tebheag · 10/04/2026 20:59

Oops just been told I had wrong date got Spanish speaking exam on Tuesday.
Dont recall it being that early when DS did it.

36and3 · 12/04/2026 15:15

Anyone else’s kid finding it hard to give equal weight to every subject? The content load is just immense.

Dd is focusing on her alevel choices plus her other two best subjects. Also trying to park physics and written Spanish until later as they’re not until after half term. (Speaking a week tomorrow!)

Whats everyone else’s strategies?

Edited to add: for those with mfl speaking exams looming, how are you doing memorising the general convo questions? Dd has learned 8/10 so far but tying herself in knots getting them mixed up. There’s so much 😞

ShesRunningOutTheDoor · 12/04/2026 15:23

Yes my son focussed on chemistry, biology, history, french this Easter. French is his weakest. He has also left physics for now. He needs to get these blooming poems learned. He’s done a sprinkle of geography and PE