Y11 2025/26 The Final Stretch

[UncomfortableSilence]

New thread to see our wonderful DC through their exams and onwards.

Come and join for chat, support and solidarity.

Well done @EducaatingRita. Art is also finally finished here. I actually think the last couple of weeks have put her off a level again.

She was desperate to miss school today but given she's only got 3 days left, I made her go in. Perhaps the wrong call, apparently everything they're doing is pointless now. I call teen attitude!

Is study leave rare now or is it just in schools near us where they continue full time until all exams are done? I can't decide whether I think that's best or not tbh but was surprised as I assumed we'd be done next week.

I think different schools do different things.

DD’s school is officially finishing next Thursday, but her first written exam is next Thursday morning, so she can’t attend lessons and do her GCSE that morning.

In reality, her last day will be this Friday. Next Monday is the bank holiday, and she just wants to revise at home after that, she gets more done and is feeling at the moment that school is a waste of time as some children are being disruptive and so she can’t focus. I’m one for keeping a high attendance rate, but under the circumstances am happy to keep her off for a couple of days next week before official study leave starts.

There was a mention of study leave on one email (about prom) here and since there has been nothing. I've contacted the school twice and had no reply. So honestly I have no idea. My DS is assuming he's going to be having revision "lessons" between exams. Sounds bizarre to me but possibly helpful in making sure kids actually turn up to the exams I guess. I just wish they'd actually talk to us!

For those with kids finding it really stressful. Thank you so much for sharing it. My son is pretty laid back overall but with a hint of snappiness recently. It's a good reminder that actually beneath the surface he probably is feeling it more than I realise and I need to be mindful of that.

We only heard yesterday about study leave. Compulsory attendance this week and then optional timetabled lessons until half term. DS1 promptly asked if he could go to school until half term - “as the teachers make me work less hard than you, Mum”
Given I’m mostly handing over past papers, leaving him to do them and marking them fo him afterwards I am worried about this…..
Also in the camp of those wishing they would just start properly as think he might have peaked a bit early.
Good luck to those doing language exams this week.

I asked him tonight how he's feeling about it and he's pretty chill. Said as long as I keep the snacks coming it's all good. Typical boy but I love the fact he's not inherited my anxiety!

Love that!

i haven[t got to grips with how study leave works at our school at all.

This Friday they have shirt signing but then study leave begins in the afternoon of next Friday. But DS has an exam (drama) Friday. I can't figure it out at all. So I've told him to just tell me where and when to turn up.

My son had his French speaking today. His teacher said well done and she could tell he’d been working hard. She said he performed at or above his predicted grade (6).
Big improvement from mocks where she said he barely said anything and he got a low 4.
so the hard effort did pay off!!!

Another decent Spanish speaking exam to add to our list! My dd got the topic she was dreading, and cried, but her teacher was supportive and she was pleased with how it went. Relieved to have her most feared exam over with!

Well done to all with good language exams under their belt!
Here revision got even more off track than usual due to DS’s grandmother visiting overnight. But he did enjoy seeing her so I’m hoping it will perk him up a bit.

Is that all our speaking exams done now?! If so well done all! Dd loved the satisfaction of highlighting off the first one!

ok this is mad BUT…. We’ve booked onto three university open days for the autumn term!

Tomorrow here, still practising like mad! Well done to all those who’ve got it behind them!

French speaking this morning went very well and DD is happy. Her teacher said she'd pronounced a tricky word that she hadn't seen before correctly, but no indication of grade.

Tbf I would be very hesitant to give a grade indication as a KS45 teacher unless I had a very small cohort and thus had time to give them all a relisten. I wouldn't want to do that with a group of 25, say.

You'd have to know the mark scheme really well to be able to give an off-the-cuff rough idea of grade there and then.

@36and3 starting early to make them think about after As is no bad thing. I’m doing one early as it’ll rule an idea in or out early

Oh yes I wouldn't have expected them to, just noted that Shesrunningoutthedoor DC had a suggestion today from their teacher.

fishfingers shopping it is then folks 😂
www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/c937eg0ze3ko

Well done to everyone who's finished Art portfolios and language speaking exams. I think there are still a few going on as my younger DC has had a few clubs cancelled due to rooms being used.

We've also started looking at university open days. DS is adamant that he's only applying to Cambridge and if he doesn't get in then he'll get a job in retail so I'm hoping to broaden his horizons somewhat.

I've put off a few work trips so I can be at home to make sure DS gets to school in good time for his exams, so I can do a porridge service.

I can't afford to turn down work in my business and I'm worried about my OH making sure he's up in time on days I'm not here but I'll be sitting him down putting the fear of God into him that he cannot let me down on this.

@Lemonthyme maybe just reference him not you in terms of needing to get to the exam. Just thinking about your other thread. 💐

Well done to all those completing listening. DD has just had hers, she messaged and said it went great, her teacher was giving her lots of thumbs up during and said it was perfect after.

I feel a bit sad she’s done a U Turn on French A Level, they wanted her to do French and Italian for GCSE but she chose not to, she’s good at languages and loves them but she just couldn’t make it work with her choices.

Now the countdown to English Lit!

I am loving the practical tips on diet. I have laid out to DD never go into an exam hungry as the basic line. I will be giving lifts to school where I can on exam days. Also if she gets tired she can take the day off as we have no study leave here.

Ive just gone to pick DS up again. He's shaky but also has a temperature. So that is a worry.

Hes got geography and drama next week. One of his peers ended up in hospital this week with severe stomach pains that they decided in the end is anxiety.

Diet- DS has autism and issues around food so I am planning to concentrate on getting calories, carbs and protein in with hopefully the odd nutrient also. So I'm planning on making sausage rolls for him for breakfast which I will grate onion, apple and peeled courgette into (if he sees the green skin he won't eat it). Not ideal, but the best I can manage I think. He also uses adhd medication that affects his appetite so hoping to front load in the morning before he loses the ability to eat.