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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Y11 2025/26 The Final Stretch

991 replies

UncomfortableSilence · 16/04/2026 15:07

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

Come and join for chat, support and solidarity.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
waitingquietly · 06/05/2026 07:48

Good luck today to all DC in today .

ICT for DS tomorrow here … he wants to go to the gym today … at least he’s worked hard since study leave started I guess

Stowickthevast · 06/05/2026 07:56

Good luck to your DC today@3GoldenLamps @BeasKnee @IrishPetal and any others taking exams.

Thanks for the top German tips @clary!

Shirt signing here today. Last minute panic search for a Sharpie ( which I didn't buy in stationary haul yesterday) but managed to find an old silver one so drama averted.

Lemonthyme · 06/05/2026 09:18

waitingquietly · 06/05/2026 07:48

Good luck today to all DC in today .

ICT for DS tomorrow here … he wants to go to the gym today … at least he’s worked hard since study leave started I guess

I think that working out is under appreciated as a concentration tool. Your brain never stops thinking anyway and sometimes when I'm running it gives me time to reflect and think of something creative about work. I'm sure the same is true of revision. I wish my son would do a bit more active stuff in between revision sessions.

waitingquietly · 06/05/2026 09:25

@Lemonthyme i agree - the older son stopped going to the gym last year and he was burnt out by the end of the exams .

agree on the running .. I’ve just been myself 😂

36and3 · 06/05/2026 10:25

Dd is a rower but we’ve paused for now because she was training 6x a week! She’ll go back after exams. She is taking herself for runs though gladly. It’s so so important to maintain exercise amidst all the hard work.

FlyingPandas · 06/05/2026 11:12

Good luck to all DC sitting exams today and that the art exams go well.

IGCSE English Language for DS this afternoon so must be same exam board as you @IrishPetal

Thank you for the German tips @clary

DS has had a nice boost getting his DT NEA back yesterday, he has scored in the mid 90s (out of 100) for it so he’s very chuffed. I’m also chuffed as I’ve managed to persuade him to get the school coach in in the mornings when he only has an afternoon exam (he originally wanted to stay home and make his own way in later on those days). The problem with making his own way in is that it takes three times as long as the school coach and there’s always the risk that the trains will be delayed/cancelled etc. So, morning coach it is! Thankfully his paranoia at potentially being late overruled his desire for a lie in.

I do need to get DS back to doing some kind of exercise-agree is so important. He was a rower until the beginning of this year but has stopped permanently as it had become such a source of stress for him, he was getting no benefit from the exercise in the end because he couldn’t sleep for fretting about erg tests! Going to join him to our local gym instead I think.

Caddycat · 06/05/2026 11:14

@clary you are so kind with the tips. Good luck to all the children starting exams. DD has drama on Friday, then next week is full on (English, biology, maths and history)

DD hasn't gone to dance much, but we manage to group 3 of her classes on a friday night so she doesn't feel too guilty about not revising and they are some of her favourite. We haven't paused it - I should have as it's expensive and she's missing quite a few - but she felt better knowing she could go if she had time or needed the break. I think she is so exhausted that it wouldn't help. She's gone from 6 times a week to 3 times a week, but realistically only goes on a friday for 3 hours, so quite a drop.

I thought I'd share my snack idea because I hadn't done this since my 2 were younger but it's proving a hit. If you cut up some carrots, cucumber and peppers into sticks, pop them into jars and fill the jars up with water, they keep for several days. DD wasn't reaching for veg as she didn't want the prep time, so I've got several jars in the fridge and now she can have fresh veg without having to prep. You can replace the water every time, or as DD does, drink it :-) I also have hummus, cubbed cheese, crackers and frozen grapes.

EducaatingRita · 06/05/2026 12:20

@Caddycat I thought I'd share my snack idea because I hadn't done this since my 2 were younger but it's proving a hit. If you cut up some carrots, cucumber and peppers into sticks, pop them into jars and fill the jars up with water, they keep for several days. DD wasn't reaching for veg as she didn't want the prep time, so I've got several jars in the fridge and now she can have fresh veg without having to prep. You can replace the water every time, or as DD does, drink it :-) I also have hummus, cubbed cheese, crackers and frozen grapes.

Great idea thank you. Exactly not for years but it works again now, I'll do that too x

LattePatty · 06/05/2026 12:49

Hello everyone. It’s my son’s last day of year 11 today. They finish at lunchtime (so probably finished by now but he’s going to a friend’s house). We took a photo in front of the front door this morning. End of an era!

He seems very anxious is transferring that anxiety to other things - worried his computer has a virus or there are transactions on his bank card that he doesn’t recognise. I really hope that once the exams start it will feel easier in a funny way.

He has his first proper exam on Friday - Latin.

BeasKnee · 06/05/2026 14:24

Anyone else get the 'nearly 3pm anxiety'? Wondering whether they'll be in a bad mood when they walk through the door after school as everything hasn't gone to plan? It's going to be a long couple of months...

IrishPetal · 06/05/2026 17:29

FlyingPandas · 06/05/2026 11:12

Good luck to all DC sitting exams today and that the art exams go well.

IGCSE English Language for DS this afternoon so must be same exam board as you @IrishPetal

Thank you for the German tips @clary

DS has had a nice boost getting his DT NEA back yesterday, he has scored in the mid 90s (out of 100) for it so he’s very chuffed. I’m also chuffed as I’ve managed to persuade him to get the school coach in in the mornings when he only has an afternoon exam (he originally wanted to stay home and make his own way in later on those days). The problem with making his own way in is that it takes three times as long as the school coach and there’s always the risk that the trains will be delayed/cancelled etc. So, morning coach it is! Thankfully his paranoia at potentially being late overruled his desire for a lie in.

I do need to get DS back to doing some kind of exercise-agree is so important. He was a rower until the beginning of this year but has stopped permanently as it had become such a source of stress for him, he was getting no benefit from the exercise in the end because he couldn’t sleep for fretting about erg tests! Going to join him to our local gym instead I think.

Edited

I’d actually guess they’re at the same school!

waitingquietly · 06/05/2026 18:28

@FlyingPandas my DS1 gave up his rowing at the start of year 11 - I was a little sad about it , but he was doing it fir social reasons mostly and he liked being on the river ( apart from the poo) . He stuck with the gym so definitely a good call for an ex rower . That and the running - remember DS1 came quite high in the school cross country which was a huge surprise to him .

DS2 enjoyed the gym and I have been body doubling to ensure some ICT was getting done . Not sure I’m going to get much ‘work’ done over the next few weeks

Wincher · 06/05/2026 23:11

Well, here we go - DS kicks off his proper written exams tomorrow, with a clash too - German and Citizenship. So he does first lesson and a half then gets taken out to do German early, then is in isolation until Citizenship in the afternoon. Going to pack him a really tasty packed lunch as although they can be escorted to the canteen while in isolation, they won’t have much time and I think a packed lunch will be easier!

Just hope he can get to sleep ok tonight…

Funkylights · 06/05/2026 23:44

@Wincher hand hold! DD first exam tomorrow & one she needs a good grade in for As. She seems calm but I’m anxious she doesn’t sleep / starts texting mates now etc as I just want her to be fresh & not late

36and3 · 07/05/2026 05:31

Good luck @Wincherand @Funkylights!

LattePatty · 07/05/2026 06:23

Good luck for those starting today!

Tebheag · 07/05/2026 07:05

Good luck to everyone starting today. @Wincher hope the double exams go well.
@Funkylights hope she got a good night's sleep.

DD first written exam today really hoping she slept. Didn't seem happy last night as not heard from bf whish she didn't have one don't need extra stress!

Walkingbkwrm · 07/05/2026 07:51

Good luck to everyone starting / with an exam today - especially @Wincher ’s DS.
Hope the boyfriend has now messaged @Tebheag and so she can focus a bit more.
DS1 starts today too with one of his least favourite and least likely to pass exams. He is stressed this morning- I am trying to reassure him that it will get it out the way. He is unconvinced by the benefits of this, but hopefully will agree afterwards!

Stowickthevast · 07/05/2026 08:06

Good luck to everyone starting today, especially @Wincher's DS for a stressful start.

DD has German but not until the afternoon.. I'm waking her at 8.30 and have told her to go for a short walk to clear her head.

EducaatingRita · 07/05/2026 08:11
You Got This Back To School GIF

Good luck for all today!

Caddycat · 07/05/2026 09:03

Good luck to your DCs @Stowickthevast @Wincher @Walkingbkwrm and @Funkylights (and anyone I forgot!) I hope all goes well for them and they aren't too stressed. I'm hoping some of the stress will go once they get started and "in the zone".

I feel a little bad for my youngest who has end of years exams but hasn't mentioned them because she knows I'm helping her sister a lot. She was really stressed this morning and I failed to notice over the week end. I'm sure she will do fine but I feel bad.

ShesRunningOutTheDoor · 07/05/2026 09:08

@Caddycat i feel like I’m ignoring my year 9 son a bit. Which I guess I am! His older brother is really needy when it comes to revision help / body doubling and is taking all my time.
i’m planning a special day with my youngest after exams over. He loves a very expensive west end day out which he will be getting - just me and him

3GoldenLamps · 07/05/2026 09:55

Wincher · 06/05/2026 23:11

Well, here we go - DS kicks off his proper written exams tomorrow, with a clash too - German and Citizenship. So he does first lesson and a half then gets taken out to do German early, then is in isolation until Citizenship in the afternoon. Going to pack him a really tasty packed lunch as although they can be escorted to the canteen while in isolation, they won’t have much time and I think a packed lunch will be easier!

Just hope he can get to sleep ok tonight…

Oh that's rough. They should at least let him have study leave in the morning. Bless him- hope he goes well. Thanks

3GoldenLamps · 07/05/2026 09:57

Walkingbkwrm · 07/05/2026 07:51

Good luck to everyone starting / with an exam today - especially @Wincher ’s DS.
Hope the boyfriend has now messaged @Tebheag and so she can focus a bit more.
DS1 starts today too with one of his least favourite and least likely to pass exams. He is stressed this morning- I am trying to reassure him that it will get it out the way. He is unconvinced by the benefits of this, but hopefully will agree afterwards!

Oh hugs to everyone's DCs doing exams and siblings also going through their own things. Thanks

And to us too!

Ifeeltheneedtheneedforcoffee · 07/05/2026 14:52

German here today and still in school so it feels like a normal day. Which possibly helps but who knows!
Study leave doesn't start till after half term
Didn't realise I would be sat here feeling so nervous! Should be finished now so to just wait for the "fine" verdict when he gets home